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What is the frequency range of IEEE 802?

Published in Wireless Networking Frequencies 3 mins read

The IEEE 802 refers to a family of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) that define the physical and data link layers of local area networks (LANs) and metropolitan area networks (MANs). While the umbrella "IEEE 802" encompasses various technologies, the concept of a specific "frequency range" primarily applies to its wireless standards, most notably IEEE 802.11, commonly known as Wi-Fi.

Understanding IEEE 802 and Wireless Frequencies

The IEEE 802 project covers a diverse set of networking technologies, including wired Ethernet (802.3), wireless personal area networks (802.15, like Bluetooth), and wireless local area networks (802.11). Not all of these standards operate on radio frequencies. For instance, wired Ethernet transmits data over cables and does not use a "frequency range" in the same way wireless technologies do.

For wireless communication standards under the IEEE 802 umbrella, specific radio frequency bands are allocated for operation. The most widely recognized and used of these is the IEEE 802.11 family, which governs wireless local area network (WLAN) communications.

Frequency Ranges for IEEE 802.11 Wireless Standards

The IEEE 802.11 standards operate within specific unlicensed radio frequency bands. The most common bands are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with newer standards also utilizing 6 GHz. Each iteration or amendment to the 802.11 standard may introduce new capabilities, higher data rates, and sometimes expand or shift the operating frequency bands.

Here's a breakdown of the frequency bands used by key IEEE 802.11 standards:

Standard Maximum Data Rate (Mbps) Operating Frequency Band
802.11b 11 2.4 GHz
802.11g 54 2.4 GHz
802.11a 54 5 GHz
802.11n 600 (Theoretical Max) 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz
802.11ac Up to 6.9 Gbps 5 GHz
802.11ax Up to 9.6 Gbps 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, & 6 GHz

The 2.4 GHz Band

The 2.4 GHz frequency band is widely used by older Wi-Fi standards like 802.11b and 802.11g, and it continues to be supported by newer standards such as 802.11n and 802.11ax.

  • Characteristics: This band offers a wider coverage range and better penetration through obstacles (like walls) compared to the 5 GHz band.
  • Challenges: It is more susceptible to interference from other devices that use the same frequency, such as microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, and cordless phones, which can lead to slower speeds and less reliable connections.

The 5 GHz Band

The 5 GHz frequency band was introduced with 802.11a and became significantly more prevalent with 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax.

  • Characteristics: This band supports higher data rates and offers more available channels, leading to less congestion and potentially faster speeds.
  • Challenges: It has a shorter range and is less effective at penetrating solid objects compared to the 2.4 GHz band.

The 6 GHz Band (Wi-Fi 6E)

With the introduction of 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E), the 6 GHz band became available for Wi-Fi use.

  • Characteristics: This band provides a vast amount of new spectrum, allowing for significantly more channels, even lower interference, and higher speeds, especially in dense environments. It is designed to alleviate congestion in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
  • Challenges: Like 5 GHz, it has an even shorter range and limited penetration capabilities, making it ideal for high-bandwidth applications in closer proximity to the access point.

In summary, while "IEEE 802" is a broad designation, its most common association with frequency ranges comes from the IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) standards, which primarily operate within the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and more recently, the 6 GHz unlicensed radio frequency bands.