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IEEE Confirms 802.11n Wi-Fi Draft Specification
The IEEE Task Group "N" voted to confirm the proposal for the 802.11n Wi-Fi standard. The draft will now proceed through the IEEE ratification process.

The proposed IEEE 802.11n standard supports speeds of up to 600 Mbps and will enable wireless systems to deliver greater range.

In October 2005, a group of 27 Wi-Fi companies formed an Enhanced Wireless Consortium http://www.enhancedwirelessconsortium.org to accelerate the IEEE 802.11n standard development process. The EWC specification comprises a number of technical elements, including:
- Mixed-mode interoperability with 802.11a/b/g networks -- provides enhanced performance while maintaining communication with legacy devices;

- PHY transmission rates up to 600Mbps -- supports applications requiring high data rates (such as transmitting multiple HDTV streams), and reduces battery drain by minimizing the time required to send and receive data streams;

- Enhanced efficiency MAC with frame aggregation -- brings actual throughput closer to the raw PHY rate, providing end users with at least 100 Mbps application level bandwidth;

- Use of 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz unlicensed bands -- matches the frequency plan of existing 802.11 devices;

- 20MHz and/or 40MHz channel support -- uses more of the wireless spectrum when available to enhance performance;

- Spatial multiplexing modes for simultaneous transmission using 1 to 4 antennas -- increases robustness of wireless connections to support very high data rates;

- Enhanced range via multiple antennas and advanced coding -- provides for a wider coverage area with consistent wireless speeds.

http://www.wireless-nets.com/blogger/2006/01/80211n-moves-forward.html

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