Technology Assessment Parameters

Technology Assessment Parameters
The requirements of a product or system describe what the wireless LAN is supposed to do.
The technology assessment parameters define what each technology is capable of providing.
The definition of assessment parameters enables you to better understand wireless LAN technologies
as a basis for evaluating their capability to satisfy requirements. The following are
common technology assessment parameters for wireless LANs:
• Transmit Frequency
• Transmit Power
• Range
• Transmission Protocols
• Medium Access Protocols
• Data Rates
• Throughput
• Encryption
• Scalability
• Electrical Current
• Power Management
• Product Size
• Standards Maturity
• Product Availability
• Cost
The product or system requirements provide a basis for identifying which technology assessment
parameters to use and emphasize. Review the requirements and derive a set of applicable
assessment parameters.
Transmit Frequency Parameter
The transmit frequency parameter characterizes the carrier frequencies the technology uses to
modulate the data. Standards-based wireless LANs operate in either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz radio
frequency band. For example, IEEE 802.11 direct sequence uses 2.4GHz; IEEE 802.11a and
HiperLAN/2 use the 5GHz frequency band. Others may operate at lower narrowband frequencies
or higher frequencies in the infrared light spectrum. Generally, a higher transmit frequency
causes a decrease in transmit range, which increases the number of access points necessary to
satisfy geographical coverage area requirements. It also causes an increase in bandwidth and
data rates, which increases the capability to satisfy performance requirements. Operation in the
5GHz band exhibits less potential RF interference with other systems.