Physical layer
802.11 Channels (2.4GHz)
The frequency is divided in channels.
In the UK and most of EU: 13 channels, 5MHz apart, 2.412 – 2.472 GHz.
In the US: only 11 channels.
Each channel is 22 MHz.
Significant overlap.
Best channels are 1, 6 and 11.
Frequency planning
Interference from other WLAN systems or cells.
IEEE 802.11 operates at uncontrolled ISM band.
14 channels of 802.11 are overlapping, only 3 channels are disjointed. For example Ch1, 6, 11.
Throughput decreases with less channel spacing.
A example of frequency allocation in multi-cell network.
5GHz
Uses frequency division in the 5.2 and 5.7 GHz bands.
Greater bandwidth.
Less potential interference (5GHz).
More non-overlapping channels.
Does not provide interoperability.
Interoperability at chipset level.
WiFi 6 radio layer enhancements
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