Wi-Fi System Engineering
As service providers try to deal with our unquenchable thirst for Internet connectivity, the role of Wi-Fi has grown from a simple wireless LAN technology to a critical element of the communication mix. This course therefore focuses on the IEEE 802.11 family of technologies; 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) and in so doing, explains the architecture and operation of a Wi-Fi network.
Section 1 - Wi-Fi Architecture
Topic areas covered include:
- The Building Blocks of a Wi-Fi Network:
- Basic Service Set.
- Extended Service Set.
- Wi-Fi and the IEEE:
- IEEE and the Wi-Fi Alliance.
- Wi-Fi and Radio Frequency.
- Wi-Fi Capabilities.
- Wi-Fi Frames and Addressing:
- Wi-Fi and the OSI Model.
- Wi-Fi Frame Structure.
- Wi-Fi Addressing in Operation.
- Wi-Fi and Cellular Interworking:
- Interworking with 4G.
- Interworking with 5G.
- Wi-Fi Calling.
Section 2 - Wi-Fi Operation
Topic areas covered include:
- Finding the Wi-Fi Network:
- 802.11 Frame Types.
- Scanning for Wi-Fi.
- Probing for Wi-Fi.
- Tracking Stations.
- Wi-Fi Security – Part 1:
- Authentication.
- Open System.
- Simultaneous Authentication of Equals.
- Joining the Wi-Fi Network:
- Association.
- Wi-Fi Hotspots.
- Wi-Fi Enhanced Open.
- Wi-Fi Passpoint.
- Wi-Fi Security Part 2:
- 802.1x.
- PSK and SAE.
- EAPOL.
- Mobility in the Wi-Fi Network:
- Reassociation.
- Fast BSS Transition.
Section 3 - Channel Access
Topic areas covered include:
- Carrier Sensing Multiple Access:
- Contention Resolution.
- Network Allocation Vector.
- Access Coordination:
- The Coordination Functions.
- Interframe Spacing.
- Random Back Off.
- Enhanced Distributed Channel Access:
- Hybrid Coordination Function.
- Arbitration Interframe Space.
- Transmission Opportunity.
- EDCA Parameter Set.
Section 4 - Wi-Fi 4, 5 and 6
Topic areas covered include:
- Technology Evolution:
- Wi-Fi 4, 5 and 6 Capabilities.
- OFDM Principles.
- Wi-Fi 4:
- Wi-Fi 4 Characteristics.
- MIMO Principles.
- Wi-Fi 5:
- Wi-Fi 5 Characteristics.
- MU-MIMO.
- Wi-Fi 6:
- Wi-Fi 6 Characteristics.
- OFDMA.
- Target Wake Time.
- BSS Colouring.