Independent BSS mode for 802.11a and g

[vegge]

Hi!
I need to use the independent BSS mode (also named meshed mode or ad hoc mode). This is ok with 802.11b, but does anyone know if such a mode exists even for 802.11a and/or 802.11g?

Anyone who knows what the range and throughput are for 802.11a and 802.11g?

Thanks a lot!
BR Vegge

[BER_vs_SNR]

The "ad hoc" (or not) mode of network organization has nothing to do with the standards that specify the band and modulation schemes that you are working with and much more to do with whether the actual RF chipsets in your end devices support the corresponding (g) and/or (a) mode.

For a first read on ranges and throughputs attained by the high-bit rate 802.11g that operates in the 2.4GHz band and (ii) from the 802.11a you may want to read this article:

http://www.commsdesign.com/design_center/wireless/design_corner/OEG20030114S0008

[vegge]

Thanks for your answer!
Does this mean that 802.11a and g standards says nothing about the infrastructure BSS mode (ad hoc mode)?
And does your answer mean that a and g are able to handle the infrastructure BSS mode?
At the MAC layer I assume there is a big difference whether an access point exist (infrastructure mode) or not (independent mode). But maybe a and g are only concerned with phy layer and use the MAC from 802.11b...?

Sorry if I am a bit "slow" on understanding this...
/Vegge

[BER_vs_SNR]

Not at all. You seem to be using (maybe inadvertently) the two terms Independent BSS and Infrastructure BSS rather loosely. The former is also known as 'ad hoc' networks. The latter implies the need of Access Points and the need to associate.

The standards (g) and (a) just cover issues pertaining to the PHY layer interfacing, without reference to new medium access methods, so you can attain the higher bit rate transmission capabilities (when your hardware supports them) without being concerned about how to set up communications links.

The 'ad hoc' networking concept refers to behavior at the MAC-layer and above. Of course your ad hoc partner's hardware must be able to support the various band operations, as the devices will only communicate after they choose a common denominator. For example, if I have an 802.11(b) device and you have an 802.11b/a device our ad hoc communication will be set up under 802.11b encoding/modulation and channel schemes and under 802.11b speeds.

Hope this helps.