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January 27, 2006
Hi speed WiFi on the way
WiFi networks that provide wireless network connectivity to within homes, offices, stores and cafes (typically in the 100s of feet) is about to get a massive boost in speed to deliver ultra broadband connectivity.
On Jan. 19, an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) working group approved a proposal for the upcoming 802.11n wireless standard. The draft specifications will come out in March, after which engineers will work toward releasing a final standard in 2007.
The new "n" protocol was developed by IEEE's Enhanced Wireless Consortium, a group that includes Intel, Apple Computer, Microsoft, Sony and several other major players. The new protocol aims to increase maximum Wi-Fi speeds roughly tenfold to throughputs of up to 600 Mbps.
The tentative standard is also expected to enable more data-rate consistency across the Wi-Fi cloud. Unlike current Wi-Fi connections with performance that fluctuates depending on how far the user is from the router and other factors, the "n" standard would help equalize speeds and make reliable multimedia streams possible opening doors to delivery HD television on data networks.
Posted by admin at January 27, 2006 01:53 PM