Abstract :
Multi-mode, programmable wireless LAN systems could have important benefits for manufacturers and consumers. They are initially slightly more complicated than a single-mode, fixed function system to design, but allow better data throughput, better coverage, and fast time-to-market for upgrades. The system model for an IEEE 802.11a/b wireless LAN system-on-a-chip is described. Programmable solutions for the MAC and PHY baseband layers are identified and contrasted with fixed function solutions. Detailed design issues of re-use of hardware and revision of software functional blocks in the PHY to provide both coverage and cost benefits are evaluated
Keywords :
IEEE standards; wireless LAN; IEEE 802.11a/b; MAC baseband layers; PHY baseband layers; baseband system design; cost benefits; coverage; data throughput; hardware re-use; multi-mode adapter; programmable wireless LAN; software functional blocks; system-on-a-chip; upgrades; wireless LAN adapter; Baseband; Hardware; Media Access Protocol; Physical layer; Radio frequency; Receiving antennas; Throughput; Timing; Transmitting antennas; Wireless LAN;
