IEEE80211

IEEE 802.11 is a set of specifications for implementing wireless local area networks (WLANs), commonly known as Wi-Fi. Developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) LAN/MAN Standards Committee (LMSC), these standards define the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) protocols for wireless communication. The 802.11 family of standards has evolved significantly since its initial publication in 1997, introducing various amendments that improve speed, range, and efficiency.

The core of IEEE 802.11 involves how devices communicate wirelessly. It defines how data is transmitted and received over the air, including channel access methods, frame formats, and error correction techniques. Different versions of the 802.11 standard, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and the latest 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), operate in different frequency bands (primarily 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with newer standards also utilizing 6 GHz) and offer varying data rates and features. The Wi-Fi Alliance is an industry consortium that certifies interoperability of products based on IEEE 802.11 standards. This certification ensures that devices from different manufacturers can communicate seamlessly.