IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards that define wireless local area networking (WLAN) protocols. Commonly known as Wi-Fi, it’s the most popular wireless communication protocol for consumer devices. Here are some key points about IEEE 802.11:

Origination: The IEEE 802.11 standard was first released in 1997.

Frequencies: It primarily operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, although newer amendments have expanded the frequency range.

Amendments: Over the years, several amendments to the original standard have been made to improve speed, reliability, and security:

  • 802.11a: Operates in 5 GHz band with data rates up to 54 Mbps.
  • 802.11b: Operates in 2.4 GHz band, achieving up to 11 Mbps.
  • 802.11g: Also in the 2.4 GHz band but with speeds up to 54 Mbps.
  • 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4): Uses multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) antennas and can operate in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, offering speeds of up to 600 Mbps.
  • 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5): Focuses on the 5 GHz band, with potential gigabit speeds and further enhancements in MIMO technology.
  • 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6): Enhances throughput and capacity with technologies such as orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA).

Security: Over time, the security mechanisms of Wi-Fi have evolved:

  • WEP: The earliest encryption standard, which proved to be insecure.
  • WPA: Improved security over WEP.
  • WPA2: Currently the most common security standard, using AES-based encryption.
  • WPA3: The latest security standard, offering enhanced security features.

Applications: Wi-Fi is used in a plethora of devices ranging from smartphones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and IoT devices. It’s prevalent in homes, offices, airports, cafes, and many other public places.

Roaming: Devices can seamlessly “roam” between different access points, making it ideal for large spaces with multiple access points.

The widespread adoption of the 802.11 standards has fundamentally changed the way we access the internet and communicate in our daily lives, reducing our reliance on wired connections for many day-to-day tasks.