Short Range Wireless Networks

Course 085

Summary:

This four-day course covers the fundamentals of short-range wireless network design, deployment, and operation. Participants will study indoor signal propagation characteristics, advanced modulation techniques, network connectivity options, and regulation of unlicensed bands. Next, the IEEE 802.11a/b/g WLAN, IEEE 802.15.1 Bluetooth, WiMedia high-rate WPAN, and IEEE 802.15.4 ZigBee low-rate WPAN specifications are examined in detail, and their operations compared. Security issues are addressed at the PHY and MAC level. Finally, interference between various wireless networks is analyzed and methods for improving their coexistence presented.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completing the course, the participant will be able to:

• Calculate useful range using large scale path loss models
• Calculate the vulnerability of a network to eavesdropping and jamming
• Describe solutions to impairments caused by multipath and interference
• Understand the pros and cons of various modulation techniques
• Compare the modulation process of various short-range wireless networks
• Give some examples of error control coding and its implementation
• Be familiar with government regulations on license-free transmissions
• Describe the operation of IEEE 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, WiMedia, and ZigBee networks in detail
• Discuss the ability of wireless networks to coexist with each other

Target Audience:

Professionals who are either developing short-range wireless networks or are shifting their focus to WLAN or WPAN engineering will benefit from the emphasis on propagation, data transmission, network operation, and security considerations given in this course. Systems engineers will gain insight into the tradeoffs associated with the different wireless specifications. Detailed operations of the various short-range networks will be especially useful to those who must determine the best solution for their wireless needs.

Outline:

Day One

Overview of Short-Range Wireless Networks
• Wired vs wireless communications • Categories of information transmission • Networking fundamentals • Digital communication methods • Summary of operations • Advocacy groups
Short-Range RF Propagation
• Review of decibels • Link budget equation and path loss model • Calculating maximum range • Partition attenuation and primary ray tracing • Eavesdropping and jamming vulnerabilities • Multipath characteristics and mitigation

Day Two

IEEE 802.15.1 (Bluetooth) Operations
• Bluetooth usage models and protocol stack • Basic rate and enhanced data rate modulation • The Bluetooth radio • Baseband operations • Link management • Inquiry and paging • Logical link control and adaptation protocol • Host controller interface • Profile interaction • Qualification

Day Three

IEEE 802.11a/b/g WLAN Operations
• Network architecture • The 802.11 radio • Frame composition • Medium access control • Comparison of 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g • IEEE 802.11i security operations • IEEE 802.11e quality of service • IEEE 802.11n higher data rates

Day Four

WiMedia High-Rate WPAN Operations
• Network structure • PHY proposals and UWB operations • Frame composition • Beaconing • Medium access control • Applications
IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee) Low-Rate WPAN Operations
• Piconet structure • Hardware examples • The 802.15.4 radio • 802.15.4a alternate PHY • Frame composition • Medium access control • Applications
Coexistence
• Sources of interference • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth mutual interference • IEEE 802.15.2 coexistence solutions • Coexisting with ZigBee • Collocated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth nodes • Microwave ovens • Cordless telephones • Smart antennas

Subject Areas Covered

Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Other Personal Area Networks
Wireless LAN: IEEE 802.11 WiFi

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