IEEE 802.11 is a family of technical standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless local area networks (WLANs). These standards define the specifications for wireless communication and data transfer rates, commonly known as Wi-Fi. The IEEE 802.11 standards have evolved over the years to accommodate higher data rates, improved security, and better performance. Here’s an overview of the IEEE 802.11 standards:

  1. IEEE 802.11: The original standard, also known as “Wi-Fi 1,” introduced wireless networking using the 2.4 GHz frequency band and had a data rate of up to 2 Mbps.
  2. IEEE 802.11a: Introduced in 1999, this standard used the 5 GHz frequency band and offered data rates of up to 54 Mbps. It provided more available channels and reduced interference compared to IEEE 802.11b.
  3. IEEE 802.11b: Also known as “Wi-Fi 1,” this standard operated in the 2.4 GHz band and had data rates of up to 11 Mbps. It marked the beginning of mainstream wireless networking.
  4. IEEE 802.11g: Released in 2003, this standard combined the 2.4 GHz frequency band of IEEE 802.11b with data rates of up to 54 Mbps, offering both compatibility and faster speeds.
  5. IEEE 802.11n: Released in 2009, this standard introduced Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology for increased data rates and improved range. It operates in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, achieving data rates of up to 600 Mbps or more.
  6. IEEE 802.11ac: Released in 2013, this standard operates exclusively in the 5 GHz band and supports wider channel bandwidths and more advanced MIMO configurations. It offers data rates exceeding 1 Gbps.
  7. IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6): Introduced in 2019, Wi-Fi 6 aims to enhance network efficiency in crowded environments by using technologies like Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Basic Service Set (BSS) Coloring. It supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and offers increased throughput and improved performance.
  8. IEEE 802.11ay: This standard is under development and focuses on high-speed communication in the 60 GHz frequency band. It aims to provide multi-gigabit data rates for short-range applications.

These standards have played a crucial role in shaping the wireless networking landscape, enabling a wide range of devices to connect and communicate wirelessly. As technology continues to evolve, new IEEE 802.11 standards will likely emerge to meet the demands of higher data rates, lower latency, and more efficient use of spectrum resources.