IEEE 802.15 Working Group on WPAN

 
IEEE 802.15 Working Group on WPAN
The IEEE 802.15 WPAN group is focused on development of short-distance wireless
networks used for networking of portable and mobile computing devices such as PCs,
personal digital assistants (PDAs), cell phones, printers, speakers, microphones, and
other consumer electronics devices. The WPAN group intends to publish standards that
allow these devices to coexist and interoperate with one another and other wireless and
wired networks in an internationally acceptable frequency of operation.
The original functional requirement published in January 1998 was based on the
BodyLAN project and specified devices with specified characteristics [Hei98]:
ž Power management: low current consumption
ž Range: 0 to 10 m
ž Speed: 19.2 to 100 kb/s (actual)
ž Small size (e.g., ∼0.5 cubic inch) with no antenna
ž Low cost (i.e., relative to target device)
ž Allowance for overlap of multiple networks in the same area
ž Networking support for a minimum of 16 devices
As we will see later in this chapter, these specifications fit the Bluetooth specification
that was announced after this premier announcement. The initial activities in
the WPAN group included HomeRF and Bluetooth. IEEE 802.15 WPAN has four task groups. Task group 1 is based on Bluetooth and defines PHY- and MAC-layer specifications
for wireless connectivity with fixed, portable, and moving devices within
or entering a personal operating space (POS). A POS is the space about a person
or object that typically extends up to 10 m in all directions and envelops the person
whether stationary or in motion. The project addresses quality of service to support a
variety of traffic classes.
Task group 2 is focused on coexistence of WPAN and 802.11 WLANs. This group
has developed a coexistence model to quantify the mutual interference and a mechanism
to facilitate coexistence of an IEEE 802.11 WLAN and an IEEE 802.15 WPAN
device. In 2003 the task group approved IEEE 802.15.2, a recommended-practice
document describing methods for enhancing the coexistence of IEEE 802.15 and
802.11 networks.
Task group 3 of IEEE P802.15 works on PHY and MAC layers for high-rate (HR)
WPANs that operate at data rates higher than 20 Mb/s. In August 2003 the task group
released specifications providing connectivity in the 2.4-GHz unlicensed band among
fixed and portable devices. The specifications provide raw data rates ranging from 11 to
55 Mb/s, with throughput rates up to about 45 Mb/s. Devices implemented according to
the 802.15.3 specifications connect in an ad hoc manner and communicate peer to peer.
These specifications assure coexistence with the Bluetooth and 802.11 specifications.
Task group 4 is charged with investigating ultralow-complexity, ultralow-power
consuming, ultralow-cost PHY and MAC layers for data rates up to 200 kb/s. Potential
applications are sensors, interactive toys, smart badges, remote controls, and home
automation. The project may also address the location-tracking capabilities required to
support the use of smart tags and badges.