User`s guide

6 Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Adapter User’s Guide
Understanding Wireless Transmission Standards
802.11 is a series of wireless transmission standards developed by the Institute of
Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless local area networks. Currently,
four specifications make up the 802.11 series: 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, and
802.11g. Your Microsoft Wireless Adapter conforms to the 802.11b and 802.11
specifications. The main features that distinguish these specifications are connection
speed and radio frequency.
The following table summarizes the four specifications in the 802.11 series.
Specification Connection speed Radio frequency band
802.11 1 or 2 megabits per second (Mbps) 2.4 GHz
802.11a Up to 54 Mbps 5 GHz
802.11b Up to 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz
802.11g Up to 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz
Note The benefit of the 2.4-GHz radio frequency band is that it allows for greater range
than the 5-GHz band. The drawback is that it is susceptible to interference from other
devices, such as 2.4-GHz cordless telephones.
Because 802.11b and 802.11g use the same radio frequency band, your adapter is
compatible with 802.11g devices. However, when you transfer data between 802.11b
and 802.11g devices, the connection speed is limited to the 802.11b maximum of
11 Mbps.
Note Your Microsoft Wireless adapter is not compatible with 802.11a-only devices.