Intel® Centrino® Wi-Fi Products — What are the different Wi-Fi protocols and data rates?

Intel® Centrino® Wi-Fi Products

What are the different Wi-Fi protocols and data rates?

IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol summary

Legacy 802.11

Released in 1997
Two raw data rates of 1 and 2 Mbps
Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz
Originally defined carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA-CA)

802.11a

Released in 1999
Data rates with varying modulation types: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps
Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) with 52 sub-carrier channels
12 non-overlapping unlicensed national information infrastructure (UNII) channels in 5 GHz frequency band

802.11b

Released in 1999
Data rates with varying modulation types: 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps
High-rate direct-sequence spread spectrum (HR-DSSS)
Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz

802.11g

Released in 2003
Data rates with varying modulation types: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps; can revert to 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps using DSSS and CCK
Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) with 52 sub-carrier channels; backwards compatible with 802.11b using DSSS and CCK
Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz

802.11n

Data rates with varying modulation types: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps; see table below
Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) using multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) and channel bonding (CB)
Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz
12 non-overlapping unlicensed national information infrastructure (UNII) channels in 5 GHz frequency band with and without CB

Note

Channel bonding is recommended for the 5GHz because there are a limited number of non-overlapping channels available in the 2.4GHz band.

Mode	Maximum Rate (Mbps)	Antenna Transmit/Receive Arrangements
Legacy a/b/g with antenna diversity and CB	121.5	1 Tx 1 Rx
2x2 20MHz	130	2 Tx 2 Rx
2x3 20MHz	144.44	2 Tx 3 Rx
2x2 40MHz	270	2 Tx 2 Rx
2x3 40MHz	300	2 Tx 3 Rx
3x3 20MHz	405	3 Tx 3 Rx
3x3 40MHz	450	3 Tx 3 Rx

Solution ID: CS-025321
Last Modified: 11-Jan-2013
Date Created: 27-Dec-2006