IEEE
P802.11g (TM), 54Mbps Extension to 802.11b Wireless Local Area
Networks, Gains Working Group Approval Final Approval Expected
in June 2003
Contact:
Stuart J. Kerry, IEEE 802.11 Working Group Chair
+1 408 991 4854, stuart.kerry@philips.com
or
Matthew B. Shoemake, IEEE 802.11g Chair
+1 214 480 2344, shoemake@ti.com
or
Brian Mathews, IEEE 802.11 Working Group Publicity Chair
+1 321 259 0737, brian@linux-wlan.com
or
Karen McCabe
+1 732 562 3824, k.mccabe@ieee.org
PISCATAWAY,
N.J., 14 Feb 2003 The IEEE P802.11g (TM) standard for wireless
local area networks (LANs), which will extend the data rate of
the IEEE 802.11b (TM)-1999 to 54 Mbps from its current level of
11 Mbps, has been approved by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group. Two
approval steps remain within the consensus process followed by
the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers before IEEE
802.11g is completed. Final approval is expected in mid-June 2003
with publication in late July 2003.
The 802.11g
Task Group, which is developing this standard, was formed in September
2000. It is a diverse body containing representatives from well
over 100 computer, networking and software companies, as well
as those from consultant organizations and academic institutions.
"By extending
the IEEE 802.11b PHY to 54 Mbps, IEEE 802.11g will create data-rate
parity at 2.4 GHz with IEEE standard 802.11a (TM), which allows
for a 54 Mbps rate at 5 GHz," said Stuart Kerry, Chair of
the IEEE 802.11 Working Group. "Given the large installed
base of commercial 802.11b-based WLANs, there is a strong market
demand for this extension to 54 Mbps so existing WLANs can operate
more efficiently.
"Now
that we have a complete draft of the IEEE P802.11g standard, some
manufacturers are beginning to release products in accordance
with it. While the IEEE is pleased to see early development of
product based on our work,
it is quite speculative to release products at this time."
"The
IEEE P802.11g draft had technical changes made to it at the January
2003 session, and further changes are expected starting in March
2003 based on comments received from the sponsor organization
of IEEE 802.11." said Brian Mathews, IEEE 802.11 publicity
chair. He added, "The only sure way to guarantee compliance
and avoid potential interoperability problems is to wait for final
ratification of 802.11g, which is highly likely
in June 2003."
The 802.11g
Task Group updated their draft to version 6.1 at their meeting
in January 2003. The 802.11g draft obtained the approval of the
IEEE 802.11 Working Group on Draft 6.1 via balloting that closed
on February 4, 2003. The IEEE 802 Executive Committee approved
forwarding of the draft to the IEEE Standards Association for
final balloting at the sponsor level.
Initial balloting
results from the sponsor level are expected back before the IEEE
802.11g Task Group meets in Dallas in March 2003. At that session,
the IEEE 802.11g Task Group plans to update the draft to version
7.0 based on submitted comments.
"We are
very pleased with the accelerated progress that we achieved in
January and February of this year," Matthew Shoemake, chairperson
of the IEEE
802.11g Task Group. "This quick progress has significantly
increased the
likelihood of having final approval by June 2003."
IEEE P802.11g,
"Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer
(PHY) Specifications: Higher Speed Physical Layer (PHY) Extension
to IEEE 802.11b," will boost wireless LAN speed to 54 Mbps
by using OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing). The
IEEE 802.11g specification is backward compatible with the widely
deployed IEEE 802.11b standard.
By using an
enhanced protocol, 802.11g enables mixed network operation. This
mixed operation allows legacy 802.11b devices to operate at 11Mbps
while new 802.11g devices operate at 54Mbps on the same network.
This simultaneous operation capability will give consumers a clean
path to upgraded performance without having to be tethered to
802.11b performance when in a mixed network. The extension will
improve access to fixed-network LANs and internetwork infrastructures
and will also create higher-performing ad-hoc networks. IEEE 802.11g
maintains the spectral mask and carrier frequencies of the IEEE
802.11b standard.
IEEE P802.11g,
which is being developed by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group for
Wireless LANs, is sponsored by the IEEE 802 LAN/MAN Standards
Committee of the IEEE Computer Society. For further information,
visit: http://www.ieee802.org/.
About the
IEEE Standards Association
The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA), a global standards-setting
body, develops consensus standards through an open process that
brings diverse parts of an industry together. It has a portfolio
of more than 870 completed standards and more than 400 in development.
IEEE-SA promotes the engineering process by creating, developing,
integrating, sharing and applying knowledge about electro- and
information technologies and sciences for the benefit of humanity
and the profession. For further information on IEEE-SA visit:
http://standards.ieee.org/.
About the
IEEE
The IEEE has more than 380,000 members in approximately 150 countries.
Through its members, the organization is a leading authority on
areas ranging from aerospace, computers and telecommunications
to biomedicine, electric power and consumer electronics. The IEEE
produces nearly 30 percent of the world's literature in the electrical
and electronics engineering, computing and control technology
fields. This nonprofit organization also sponsors or cosponsors
more than 300 technical conferences each year. Additional information
about the IEEE can be found at http://www.ieee.org/.
IEEE Std P802.11g,
802.11b, are trademarks of the IEEE. All other names or product
names are the trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks
of their respective holders.
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