QUICK GUIDE TO IEEE 802.11 WG & ACTIVITIES:


Quick Reference Guide

Group

Label

Description

IEEE 802.11 Working Group WG The Working Group is comprised of all of the Standing Committees, Task Groups, Study Groups, and Ad-Hoc Groups
Task Group TG The committee(s) that are tasked by the WG as the author(s) of the Standard or subsequent Amendments via an approved PAR
MAC Task Group MAC Scope of Project The scope of the project is to develop one common MAC for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) applications, in-conjunction with the PHY Task Group work
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the original Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-1997
Update Status Work has been completed on the ISO / IEC version of the original Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11, 1999 (ISO/IEC 8802-11: 1999)
PHY Task Group PHY Scope of Project The scope of the project is to develop three PHY's for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) applications, using Infrared (IR), 2.4 GHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), and 2.4 GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS), in-conjunction with the one common MAC Task Group work
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the original Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-1997
Update Status Work has been completed on the ISO / IEC version of the original Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11, 1999 (ISO/IEC 8802-11: 1999)
Task Group a TGa Scope of Project The scope of the project is to develop a PHY to operate in the newly allocated UNII band.
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the Standard as an amendment - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11a-1999
Update Status Work has been completed on the ISO / IEC version of the original Standard as an amendment - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11a-1999 (ISO/IEC 8802-11: 1999 (E)/Amd 1: 2000 (ISO/IEC) and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group b TGb Scope of Project The scope of the project is to develop a standard for a higher rate PHY in the 2.4GHz band
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the Standard as an amendment - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11b-1999
Task Group b-Cor1 TGb-Cor1 Scope of Project The scope of this project is to correct deficiencies in the MIB definition of 802.11b
Purpose of  Project: As the MIB is currently defined in 802.11b, it is not possible to compile an interoperable MIB. This project will correct the deficiencies in the MIB
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group c TGc Scope of Project To add a subclause under 2.5 Support of the Internal Sub-Layer Service by specific MAC Procedures to cover bridge operation with IEEE 802.11 MAC. This supplement to ISO/IEC 10038 (IEEE 802.1D) will be developed by the 802.11 Working Group in cooperation with the IEEE 802.1 Working Group.
Purpose of  Project: To provide the required 802.11 specific information to the ISO/IEC 10038 (IEEE 802.1D) standard
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the ISO/IEC 10038 (IEEE 802.1D) Standard and part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group d TGd Scope of Project This supplement will define the physical layer requirements (channelization, hopping patterns, new values for current MIB attributes, and other requirements to extend the operation of 802.11 WLANs to new regulatory domains (countries)
Purpose of  Project: The current 802.11 standard defines operation in only a few regulatory domains (countries).  This supplement will add the requirements and definitions necessary to allow 802.11 WLAN equipment to operate in markets not served by the current standard
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group e TGe Scope of Project Enhance the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) to improve and manage Quality of Service, provide classes of service, and enhanced security and authentication mechanisms. Consider efficiency enhancements in the areas of the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) and Point Coordination Function (PCF)
Purpose of  Project: To enhance the current 802.11 MAC to expand support for LAN applications with Quality of Service requirements. Provide improvements in security, and in the capabilities and efficiency of the protocol. These enhancements, in combination with recent improvements in PHY capabilities from 802.11a and 802.11b, will increase overall system performance, and expand the application space for 802.11. Example applications include transport of voice, audio and video over 802.11 wireless networks, video conferencing, media stream distribution, enhanced security applications, and mobile and nomadic access applications
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group F TGF Scope of Project  To develop recommended practices for an Inter-Access Point Protocol (IAPP) which provides the necessary capabilities to achieve multi-vendor Access Point interoperability across a Distribution System supporting IEEE P802.11 Wireless LAN Links. This IAPP will be developed for the following environment(s): 
1) A Distribution System consisting of IEEE 802 LAN components supporting an IETF IP environment. 
2) Others as deemed appropriate 
This Recommended Practices Document shall support the IEEE P802.11standard revision(s)
Purpose of  Project: IEEE P802.11 specifies the MAC and PHY layers of a Wireless LAN system and includes the basic architecture of such systems, including the concepts of Access Points and Distribution Systems. Implementation of these concepts where purposely not defined by P802.11 because there are many ways to create a Wireless LAN system. Additionally many of the possible implementation approaches involve concepts from higher network layers. While this leaves great flexibility in Distributions System and Access Point functional design, the associated cost is that physical Access Point devices from different vendors are unlikely to inter-operate across a Distribution System due to the different approaches taken to Distribution System design. As P802.11 based systems have grown in popularity, this limitation has become an impediment to WLAN market growth. At the same time it has become clear that there are a small number of Distribution System environments that comprise the bulk of the commercial WLAN system installations
This project proposes to specify the necessary information that needs to be exchanged between Access Points to support the P802.11 DS functions. The information exchanges required will be specified for, one or more Distribution Systems; in a manner sufficient to enable the implementation of Distribution Systems containing Access Points from different vendors which adhere to the recommended practices
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the Standard as a recommended practice - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11F-2003. This standard practice has been withdrawn as of February 2006.
Task Group g TGg Scope of Project The scope of this project is to develop a higher speed(s) PHY extension to the 802.11b standard. The new standard shall be compatible with the IEEE 802.11 MAC. The maximum PHY data rate targeted by this project shall be at least 20 Mbit/s.  The new extension shall implement all mandatory portions of the IEEE 802.11b PHY standard. 
The project will take advantage of the provisions for rate expansion that are in place on the current standard PHY.  The 802.11 MAC defines a mechanism for operation of stations supporting different data rates in the same area. The current 802.11b standard already defines the basic rates of  1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbit/s.  The proposed project targets further developing the provisions for enhanced data rate capability of 802.11b networks. 
The 802.11 MAC currently incorporates the interpretation of data rate information and the computation of expected packet duration even if the specific station does not support the rate at which the packet was sent. 
Purpose of  Project:  To develop a new PHY extension to enhance the performance and the possible applications of the 802.11b compatible networks by increasing the data rate achievable by such devices. This technology will be beneficial for improved access to fixed network LAN and inter-network infrastructure (including access to other wireless LANs) via a network of access points, as well as creation of higher performance ad hoc networks
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group h TGh Scope of Project Enhance the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) standard and 802.11a High Speed Physical Layer (PHY) in the 5GHz Band supplement to the standard; to add indoor and outdoor channel selection for 5GHz license exempt bands in Europe; and to enhance channel energy measurement and reporting mechanisms to improve spectrum and transmit power management (per CEPT and subsequent EU committee or body ruling incorporating CEPT Recommendation ERC 99/23)
Purpose of  Project:  To enhance the current 802.11 MAC and 802.11a PHY with network management and control extensions for spectrum and transmit power management in 5GHz license exempt bands, enabling regulatory acceptance of 802.11 5GHz products. Provide improvements in channel energy measurement and reporting, channel coverage in many regulatory domains, and provide Dynamic Channel Selection and Transmit Power Control mechanisms
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group i TGi Scope of Project Enhance the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) to enhance security and authentication mechanisms
Purpose of  Project: To enhance the current 802.11 MAC to provide improvements in security
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group j TGj Scope of Project Enhance the 802.11 standard and amendments, to add channel selection for 4.9 GHz and 5 GHz in Japan to additionally conform to the Japanese rules for radio operation
Purpose of  Project: To obtain Japanese regulatory approval by enhancing the current 802.11 MAC and 802.11a PHY to additionally operate in newly available Japanese 4.9 GHz and 5 GHz bands
Status Work has been completed and is now part of the IEEE 802.11 Standard - Published as IEEE Std. 802.11-2007
Task Group k TGk Scope of Project To define Radio Resource Measurement enhancements to provide interfaces to higher layers for radio and network measurements
Purpose of  Project: The original standard has a basic set of radio resource measurements for internal use only. These measurements and others are required to provide services; such as roaming, coexistence, and others; to external entities. It is necessary to provide these measurements and other information in order to manage these services from an external source
Status  Completed with the publication of IEEE Std 802.11k-2008
Task Group l TGl Scope of Project Task Group "Letter - L" not to be used by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group for inclusion into the published standard
Purpose of  Project: N/A
Status N/A
Task Group m TGmb Scope of Project Maintenance of the IEEE 802.11-2007 standard
Purpose of  Project: Maintenance of technical and editorial corrections to the 802.11-2007 Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications standard
Status  Active
Task Group n TGn Scope of Project Investigating the possibility of improvements to the 802.11 standard to provide high throughput (>100Mbps)
Purpose of Project

The purpose of the project is to improve the 802.11 wireless local area network (LAN) user experience by providing significantly higher throughput for current applications and to enable new applications and market segments.

Status  Active
Task Group o TGo Scope of Project Task Group "Letter - O" not to be used by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group for inclusion into the published standard
Purpose of  Project: N/A
Status N/A
Task Group p TGp Scope of Project

To create an amendment of IEEE 802.11 to support communication between vehicles and the roadside and between vehicles while operating at speeds up to a minimum of 200 km/h for communication ranges up to 1000 meters. The amendment will support communications in the 5 GHz bands; specifically 5.850-5.925 GHz band within North America with the aim to enhance the mobility and safety of all forms of surface transportation, including rail and marine. Amendments to the PHY and MAC will be limited to those required to support communications under these operating environments within the 5 GHz bands.

Purpose of Project

To amend the existing IEEE 802.11 standard to make it suitable for interoperable communications to and between vehicles. The primary reasons for this amendment include the unique transport environments, and the very short latencies required (some applications must complete multiple data exchanges within 4 to 50ms).

Status  Active
Task Group q TGq Scope of Project Task Group "Letter - Q" not to be used by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group for inclusion into the published standard
Purpose of  Project: N/A
Status N/A
Task Group r TGr Scope of Project

Enhancements to the 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) layer to minimize or eliminate the amount of time data connectivity between the Station (STA) and the Distribution System (DS) is absent during a Basic Service Set (BSS) transition, limited to the state necessary for the operation of the MAC.

Purpose of Project

To improve BSS transitions within 802.11 ESS's and to support real time constraints imposed by applications such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

Status  Completed with the publication of IEEE Std 802.11r-2008
Task Group s TGs Scope of Project

To develop an IEEE 802.11 Extended Service Set (ESS) Mesh* with an IEEE 802.11 Wireless Distribution System (WDS) using the IEEE 802.11 MAC/PHY layers that supports both broadcast/multicast and unicast delivery over self-configuring multi-hop topologies.

Purpose of Project

To provide a protocol for auto-configuring paths between APs over self-configuring multi-hop topologies in a WDS to support both broadcast/multicast and unicast traffic in an ESS Mesh using the four-address frame format or an extension.

Status  Active