802.11a

Networks using 802.11a operate at radio frequencies between 5.725 GHz and 5.850 GHz. The specification uses a modulation scheme known as orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) that is especially well suited to use in office settings. In 802.11a, data speeds as high as 54 Mbps are possible. There is less interference with 802.11a than with 802.11b, because 802.11a provides more available channels, and because the frequency spectrum employed by 802.11b (2.400 GHz to 2.4835 GHz) is shared with various household appliances and medical devices.

For other 802.11 specifications, see the 802.xx Fast Reference.

Learn more about Wireless LAN Implementation

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More resources from around the web: - The IEEE lets you freely download each of the 802.11 specifications from their Web site. - SearchMobileComputing.com provides a Wireless Learning Guide.

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