A possible path to convergence August 2004 IEEE 802.15.3 MAC Elements for 802.11n A possible path to convergence Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

August 2004 Goals of 802.11n The primary purposes of .11n (from various sources including Wi-Fi document 11-03-0736-00-000n) are: to get higher throughput more range more robustness uniform coverage broaden the class of applications (like “Phase II” video hotspots) backwards compatibility mode with .11 Get to market faster… Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

August 2004 802.11 MAC The 802.11 MAC is experiencing asymptotic throughput limit as a function of data rate. QoS priority method permits “priority cheating” and collapses back into access issues CAP still allows the network to be affected by network loading. Needs Access denial capability Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

August 2004 802.15.3 MAC Experiences asymptotic throughput at a much higher data rate and allows ways to reduce effect (like the CAP is optional and there are ways to send multiple unique packets in one CTA) Once a Time slot is assigned, inefficient contention for it stops Uses access denial to prevent QoS reduction Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

As a result, we see: We also see: Market segmentation: August 2004 As a result, we see: Proprietary .11 extensions starting to appear …that work for small networks but not entertainment systems (e.g. synchronized video and speakers) Promises by .11 members to produce “.11n” products before the standard is done We also see: 802.15.3/3b is gaining traction …and can technically move easily in to IP services. Market segmentation: PC entertainment and CE entertainment will converge causing unnecessary choices by OEMs Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

August 2004 Demo Example The following slide shows the old January 2004 CES demo as an example of capability Demo shows maturity of: video distribution audio distribution video and audio Synced’ audio repurposed from several sources Next demo will show latency capabilities using live video and bidirectional audio Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

Synchronized Audio and Video August 2004 Server PNC DEV1 Player Stream 1 Subwoofer Center Speaker Stream 3 Front Right Speaker Front Left Speaker Video Stream 2 TRES-DEV3 Stream 2 DEV2 Video Stream 1 AirPlayer-3 Front Right Speaker Speaker Front Left Speaker Rear Right Speaker Rear Left Speaker Synchronized Audio and Video Mobile (on a cart) Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

August 2004 Technology Realities 802.11 already has excellent AP technology that is already being adapted to 802.15.3 designs The 802.11 Mesh requirements outline MAC functions already in 802.15.3. Both groups have mesh teams Radio measurement and other .11 groups will add functionality that is also of interest to 802.15.3 802.15.3 has coexistence capabilities that make it a good partner for 802.11 (like TPC and .11 channel plan) Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

Channel Time Allocation Period August 2004 15.3 Superframe Structure Superframe #m-1 Superframe #m Superframe #m+1 Beacon #m Contention Access Period Channel Time Allocation Period MCTA 1 MCTA 2 CTA 1 CTA 2 CTA n-1 CTA n Time-slotted superframe structure consists of 3 sections: Beacon: Transmits control information to the entire piconet, allocates time resources and provides time synchronization Optional CAP (CSMA/CA): Used for authentication/association, CTA requests and other commands PNC may replace the CAP with MCTAs using slotted Aloha access (with greatly reduced efficiency) Channel time allocation period (CTAP) made of: Unidirectional channel time allocations (CTAs) assigned by the PNC Optional management CTAs (MCTAs) in lieu of the CAP for command frames Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

August 2004 Technology Realities 802.15.3 has very efficient (>80%) TDMA based MAC capabilities but 802.11is probably the right asynchronous approach 802.15.3 had advance power save and ad hoc capabilities 802.11 and 802.15.3 can use the same RF sections. Dual mode devices are on product roadmaps 802.11 and 802.15.3 both use 128 bit AES CCM Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

Technology Realities 15.3 Rate Roadmap August 2004 Technology Realities 15.3 Rate Roadmap 802.15.3 is a 55 Mbps standard TODAY. Currently available methods can increase rate to 167 Mbps at 2.4 GHz 802.15.3a sets the expectations at >110 Mbps (data rate) UWB activities already forcing the MAC to 480 Mbps chips by mid 2005. UWB customers expect 1 Gbps by start of 2006. Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

August 2004 The Opportunity If we can get over the political hurtles and NIH (Not Invented Here) syndromes: We have an opportunity to converge technologies Simplifies OEM choices Improve performance for all Take advantage of the technologies developed in both groups Get to market faster Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

Joint Project Approach August 2004 Joint Project Approach Fast process Standard + Standard = Standard Specify correct link points Specify correct interface Spend most of .11n resources on PHY improvements The 15.3 MAC is already operational so testing can be done as the draft is written. This can speed the .11n total process There may be an opportunity for Wi-Fi to take over WiMedia’s role for 15.3 allowing it to control the convergence message Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)

How to support this proposal August 2004 How to support this proposal This is a partial proposal (per 11-03/0665) It can’t be voted on by itself so the analysis for the full proposal will be done after a merger Consider this a solicitation for Merger A judgment is needed as to whether this is within the scope of the PAR Contact the authors Jim Allen (james.d.allen@ieee.org) James Gilb (gilb@appairent.com) Jim Allen and Dr. James P.K. Gilb (Appairent Technologies)