Wireless Video

Current wireless standards are wide enough to handle most network traffic -- for web surfing, general downloads, and music streaming -- but vendors and content companies are quickly finding ways to saturate this space.

Emerging wireless video technologies are perhaps the most demanding of the new network applications. Video requires high data bandwidth, a low lag time, and as a result, a relatively open channel with little interference.

The 5 GHz band's high frequency and short range make it especially well suited for wireless video applications. In places where devices are closely situated, such as in the living room or home office, 5 GHz would replace all forms of video cabling. The signals' short range and tendency to be absorbed by walls would prevent video from leaking into and interfering with a neighboring system.

R-LAN/Outdoor Solutions

The 5 GHz band's applications extend far beyond video. As corporations transfer large files and databases to customers, employees, or the general public at anytime, anywhere, 5 GHz represents an important part of the elusive "last mile" solution. It is not difficult to imagine a day when entire city blocks or office buildings are served by 5 GHz anteneas.

 UWB

The 5 GHz band is also integral to Ultrawideband (UWB) technology. UWB broadcats small signal bursts across multiple gigahertz ranges to achieve unprecented, near-fixed network data speeds. The 5 GHz spectrum is included in UWB specifications, and portions of it may fall prey to UWB devices.

802.11a Standard

"[In 2001, 802.11a-enabled devices started shipping,] even though the standard was ratified in 1999. The 802.11a standard uses the 5 GHz band, and operates at a raw speed of 54 Mbit/s, and more realistic speeds in the mid-20 Mbit/s... ...Different countries have different ideas about support, although a 2003 World Radiotelecommunciations Conference made it easier for use worldwide. A mid-2003 FCC decision may open more spectrum to 802.11a channels as well.

"802.11a has not seen wide adoption because of the high adoption rate of 802.11b, and concerns about range: at 5 GHz, 802.11a cannot reach as far with the same power limitations, and may be absorbed more readily. Most manufacturers of 802.11a equipment countered the lack of market success by releasing dual-band/dual-mode or tri-mode cards that can automatically handle 802.11a and b or a, b and g as available, or access points which can support all standards simultaneously." [Wikipedia]

Links: 802.11 Working Group Site   Wi-Fi Alliance

802.11d - "Global Harmonization" Standard

"When 802.11 first became available, only a handful of regulatory domains (e.g., U.S., Europe, and Japan) had rules in place for the operation of 802.11 wireless LANs. In order to support a widespread adoption of 802.11, the 802.11d task group has an ongoing charter to define PHY requirements that satisfy regulatory within additional countries. This is especially important for operation in the 5GHz bands because the use of these frequencies differ widely from one country to another. As with 802.11c, the 802.11d standard mostly applies to companies developing 802.11 products." [Wifiplanet]

Link: 802.11d Status