Enhancements in Physical Layer

In its physical layer, 802.11n employs MIMO technology, leveraging multiple antennas to either boost data speeds or extend the signal range.

Additionally, it incorporates channel bonding, merging two 20 MHz channels from the older 802.11 standard into one 40 MHz channel, thereby enhancing the data transmission rate.

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)

This technique provides higher data rates upto 600 Mbit/s and higher range. MIMO technology provides the ability to receiver and/or transmit simultaneously through multiple antennas. The more antennas a 802.11n device uses simultaneously, the higher its maximum data rate.

Spatial Division Multiplexing

In the SDM technique, a single outgoing signal is split into multiple streams. These streams are then simultaneously sent out through various antennas but remain within a single frequency channel.

Space Time Block Coding

In the STBC method, several duplicates of the same data are sent using multiple antennas. By analyzing these diverse data streams when they arrive, the receiver can more accurately identify the original data, even when there’s interference or signal distortion.

Channel Bonding

Traditional 802.11 devices operate on 20MHz channels. On the other hand, 802.11n based products support both 20MHz and 40MHz channels.

The 20MHz channels are used where spectrum availability is limited. Meanwhile, 40 MHz channels are the combination of two adjacent channels. This is the process of channel bonding, in which two adjacent channels within a given frequency band are combined. It provides higher data rates and double peak rate.

IEEE 802.11 Architecture, more popularly known as WiFi is widely used to provide anywhere-anytime networking access. New enhancements keep getting introduced as global connectivity demands evolution and improvement. The IEEE 802.11 amendment was introduced to enhance the traditional 802.11 for higher throughput and improve wireless technologies.

The primary objective of this amendment is to bolster the MAC (Medium Access Control) layer’s Quality of Service (QoS). By refining QoS, the IEEE aspires to cater more efficiently to the escalating demands for bandwidth. This is increasingly crucial in an era where high-definition streaming, online gaming, remote work, and the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices are driving unprecedented levels of data traffic.

In this article, we will delve deeper into the enhancements introduced in this amendment. This will encompass improvements in both the physical layer communications design and the MAC layer. We will discuss how these enhancements not only facilitate higher throughput but also offer a more resilient and efficient wireless communication system.