1. IEEE 802.11 Future Directions
March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
IEEE Future Directions
Date:
Authors:
Notice: This document has been prepared to assist IEEE It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein.
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Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

2. Some ideas about the future directions of IEEE 802.11 standardization
March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Abstract
Some ideas about the future directions of IEEE standardization
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

3. Wireless Standard Continuum
March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
Wireless Standard Continuum
March 2005
The sweet spot for each standard is unique
There will be overlap at the edges
IEEE Bluetooth
WAN
MAN
LAN
PAN
ETSI HiperPAN
IEEE WirelessLAN
ETSI HiperLAN
IEEE WirelessMAN
ETSI HiperMAN & HIPERACCESS
IEEE
3GPP, EDGE (GSM)
IEEE Handoff
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

4. Vehicular Environment
March 2005
IEEE Architecture
Reaffirmed
Active work in red
Completed work in yellow
2003 n
Interworking u
5 GHz
High Throughput i
Enhanced
Security
Mechanisms k
Radio Resource
Measurements
ESS Mesh s e
MAC QoS
Enhancements
Japan
Extensions j p SC
Vehicular Environment
Wireless Next
Generation
MAC h
5 GHz
Spectrum Managed r SC
Fast Roaming
Publicity
PHY g
2.4GHz
High Rate >20Mbps T F
Wireless Performance
Prediction
Inter-Access Port
Protocol m c
2.4 GHz
Frequency Hopped
Spread Spectrum
1 Mbps
2 Mbps (optional)
2.4 GHz
Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum
1 Mbps
2 Mbps
Infra-Red
1 Mbps
2 Mbps (opt)
5 GHz
802.11a
6, 12, 24 Mbps
9-54 Mbps (opt) a
2.4 GHz
802.11b
5.5 Mbps
11 Mbps b
Maintenance d
Regulatory
Updates
Published as IEEE Standard
IEEE Std
Initial capabilities in White
1997
International Standard
ISO/IEC : 1999
Completed additions in green
1999
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

5. 802.11k/v: Resource Measurement/Management
March 2005
IEEE Group Scope
802.11u: Interworking
802.11s: Mesh
802.11r : Fast Roaming
802.11e : QoS
802.11i : Security
802.11p: Vechicular
Enhancements
MAC
IEEE
.11n
2,4GHz
5 Ghz
>100Mb/s
.11j
802.11h
DFS & TPC
802.11a
5 GHz
54Mbit/s
802.11g
2,4 GHz
54Mbit/s
802.11b
2,4 GHz
11Mbit/s
PHY
2,4 GHz
2 Mbit/s
802.11k/v: Resource Measurement/Management
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

6. March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Questions
Do we need to think beyond PHY and MAC to allow IEEE standard to evolve.
If so, why?
Why not in IEEE 802.1?
Experts reside in IEEE
Chasing different groups in different WGs will slow progress and other standards may capture the market place.
Without evolution or revolution, what is the future of IEEE to maintain its market position?
Evolution beyond PHY and MAC
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

7. Beyond the MAC layer TGi TGk
March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Beyond the MAC layer
TGi
Authentication Server (AS) exists within the external network.
TGk
network management system (NMS) has been defined which again does not belong to the AP.
Hence it can be seen that these TGs have extended the scope of IEEE standardization not only beyond the PHY and MAC layer of the STA and AP, but have now started to define early stages of required entities within the DS and external networks.
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

8. March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Beyond the MAC layer
Structure of is changing and the centre of standardization activities has moved on from an hop-hop system to a larger system, with a non-trivial topology.
"It's not just a simple link, Jim“
The motivation behind this is a shift in the market expectations, since the original standard was developed. It is no longer just a closed wireless ethernet system without management. It is now become an access network. It can be seen that the newer task groups are tweaking this original standard for more network interaction and support.
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

9. FREE the APs Mesh Networking
March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Mesh Networking
802.11s, Mesh Networking, is standardizing a dynamically self-configuring multi-hop Wireless Distribution System (WDS) to free Access Points from a wired infrastructure.
ESS MESH
FREE
IEEE
the
APs
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

10. Mesh Networking March 2005 Not a WLAN Mesh DS WLAN Mesh #1
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Mesh Networking
Not a WLAN Mesh
Mesh
Point
Mesh Portal
WLAN Mesh #1
WLAN Mesh #2 AP DS
802.11
Portal
Mesh Portal/ Portal
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

11. Fast Roaming and Interworking
March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Fast Roaming and Interworking
Newer task groups will provide systems roaming features with open access.
is now used in more complicated ways than originally intended, due to market demand and stimulation.
Access Point technology is rapidly evolving to meet customer requirements and to some extent standardization is falling behind some of the innovations that vendors equipment provides.
These are standardization issues and not for testing and conformance agencies.
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

12. March 2005
Other bodies are either starting to take over ’s work or would like to supplant
WiFi is dangerously close to becoming a standards body
WiFi certified WPA before i ratification, but at least WPA was a subset of an early draft
WiFi is probably going to certify WME before e is ratified, and there are currently areas where WME and e might be different
WiFi is talking about MBSSID architectures that have never been reviewed or approved in
Other standards groups want to move into the WLAN space
is starting to drift into traditional territory
The proponents of are discussing it as a replacement in the local area for WLANS
A new research effort is starting in Europe under the umbrella of the 6th Framework
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

13. March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
IEEE
has evolved from a wireless PDH (telephone trunk line backhaul) into a broadband wireless system.
To some extent the standards are more well defined than , in terms of system architecture design.
This is a very useful evolutionary story for IEEE to watch.
Already & are trying to share:
security model
mesh model
interworking model
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

14. March 2005
IEEE
Developing a standard specifying a common handoff framework applicable to IEEE 802 standards, wired and wireless.
Also includes IEEE 802 to non-802 technologies (e.g. Cellular)
Initially <-> , <->
How does this affect the standard. Can TGu manage any required changes?
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

15. March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
Heterogeneous System
IEEE is looking at how sessions can be handed over between the different 802 media. They are looking at pulling these technologies together for multi-interface terminals and networks.
However, as each wireless standard evolves (.15, 16, .11) with various tweaks and forays into network connectivity; does there reach a point, where overlaps in each standard mean that they become one?
They currently have separate markets because they operate in different performance regimes. Will a future IEEE and .16 become essentially the same technology with different market areas?
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor

16. IEEE 802.11 Standard Document
March 2005
doc.: IEEE /0171r0
March 2005
IEEE Standard Document
Not reasonable that everyone can be experts on the whole document. Hence split the current rolled up standard into:
PHY
Low level MAC - control frames, block ACK, encryption etc.
High level MAC - action frames, authentication/association, 11i etc.
System aspects
IAPP (TGF), Management (TGv)
components of TGr etc
bits of TGu interworking.
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor
Stephen McCann, Siemens Roke Manor