IEEE 802.11N WLAN migration - Impact on system capacity & terminal design

The next generation of wireless LAN standard, IEEE 802.11N ("11N"), is expected to undergo final ratification in 2010. Leveraging numerous technological advances including MIMO/diversity-gain and 77 modulation-&-coding configurations, 11N promises increased coverage and up to 300 Mbps burst data rates. Although ldquoGreenfieldrdquo installations (no legacy networks) with laptop or larger class devices may achieve these benefits, the experience using smaller mobile devices in a system mixed with 802.11ABG legacy nodes may differ considerably. In this presentation we discuss the limitations of 11N in the context of an evolutionary system consisting of both 11N and legacy IEEE802.11ABG devices. We then discuss the implications of 11N on smaller mobile platforms and provisions/options within 11N to facilitate such devices.