A WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) is a flexible, on-premise data communication system that uses high frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate between nodes; it is seen as an extension of a wired LAN, making new applications possible, and adding remote flexibility to networking. Mobile WLAN users can thus access information and network resources as they attend meetings, collaborate with other users, or move to other campus locations.

Why WLAN?

Since WLAN combines data connectivity with user mobility and provides high bandwidth at a relatively low cost, the adoption of WLAN in portable products is steadily increasing. In fact over the last seven years, WLANs have already gained strong popularity in a number of vertical markets including health- care, retail, manufacturing, warehousing, and the academic arena. In particular these industries have profited from the productivity gains of using handheld terminals and notebook computers to transmit real-time information to centralized hosts for processing. As a result WLANs have become more widely recognized as a general purpose connectivity alternative for most categories of business customer.

Wireless

A Local Area Network (WLAN)  can operate in two different modes; an ad-hoc or peer to peer mode where stations or PCs can communicate directly with each other without the need to go through an Access Point (AP) and an infrastructure mode where all data from PCs passes through a central AP The AP not only mediates wireless network traffic in the immediate neighborhood, but also provides communication with a wired network such as the Internet and the corporate or private network.

The maximum range (distance) between any two nodes is limited by the power transmitted by the device and is set at 100 meters.

Standards

Specifications for LANs are developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Most wired networks conform to the 802.3 standard.  802.11 standards define the standard for WLANs. Currently there are three different standards that are widely used. These are;

• 802.11 a which operates at a 5 GHz frequency range and can support a maximum connection speed of 54Mps

• 802.11 b which operates at a 2.4 GHz frequency range and can support a maximum connection speed of I I Mps

• 802.11g which operates at a 2.4 GHz frequency range and can support a maximum connection speed of 54Mps

Applications and Benefits of WLANs

The widespread reliance on shared data and resources in a competitive business market and the use of the internet and on line services has lead to a need for more convenient and flexible forms of connectivity. With wireless LANs, users can connect to their networks without the need to look for a place to plug in wires. Typical applications of WLANs include:

Doctors and nurses in hospitals are more productive because hand-held or notebook computers with wireless LAN capability deliver patient information instantly

Waiters taking orders in restaurants and cafes can attend more tables and orders can reach the kitchen location instantly.

Warehouse workers use wireless LANs to exchange information with central databases and increase their productivity

Senor executives in conference rooms can make quicker decisions because they have real-time information at their fingertips.

At airports, hotels, convention centers and malls WLAN users can access their emails, internet or other networks while on the move.

At Emirates Telecom Lab we ensure that Bluetooth and WLAN equipment meet international standards and Etisalat technical requirements