Introduction to Wireless Local Area Networks

Abstract

IEEE 802.11 and Bluetooth are proposed for wireless local area net-work(WLAN) and wireless personal area network(WPAN), respectively. Both comply with the seven-layer model of open systems interconnection(OSI). Both IEEE 802.11b and Bluetooth are assigned the 2.4 GHz frequency band, the IEEE 802.11a is assigned the 5 GHz frequency band. Basic service set(BSS) is the basic IEEE 802.11 network, and multiple BSSs can constitute an extended service set(ESS). Bluetooth network is called piconet, and is established in master/slave mode. Distributed coordination function(DCF) and point coordination function(PCF) are devised in IEEE 802.11 to avoid data collision between multiple users. Service set identifier(SSID), MAC address and wired equivalent protoco(WEP) are three basic security mechanisms in IEEE 802.11 to avoid eavesdropping. Each Bluetooth device has a device address and Bluetooth clock which can be used for link control. Asynchronous connectionless(ACL) and synchronous connection oriented(SCO) are two types of link over piconet.