The IEEE 802.11g is another standard for wireless networking, defined by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Here’s an overview:
IEEE 802.11g:
- Release Date: 2003
- Frequency Band: Operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
- Modulation: Uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) for the bulk of the transmission, but it is backward compatible with the earlier 802.11b standard which uses Complementary Code Keying (CCK).
- Maximum Data Rate: Offers a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps, the same as 802.11a but with a longer range because of its lower frequency.
- Range: Due to its operation at 2.4 GHz, it typically has a greater range than 802.11a, especially indoors.
- Channels: Provides up to 3 non-overlapping channels in most countries.
- Interference: Since it operates in the 2.4 GHz band, it can experience interference from other household devices such as microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, and cordless phones.
- Compatibility: Backward compatible with 802.11b devices because they both operate in the 2.4 GHz range. This was a major advantage when 802.11g was introduced, as it allowed users to upgrade their networks without replacing all of their equipment.
The 802.11g standard became very popular for home networking due to its combination of decent speed, backward compatibility with 802.11b, and better range compared to 802.11a. However, the interference issues of the 2.4 GHz band led to the development and eventual adoption of dual-band solutions and later standards like 802.11n, which operates in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.