Why A is better than B/G for Voice over WLAN

kfarrington · ‎07-31-2008

Hello all,

Now this post has some questions and statements in that you guys know all about and would like your valued advise and corrections/confirmations on the points.

Why A is better than B/G for voice:

B/G is congested, ie BT, Microwaves. Lots of other WLANs etc etc etc - FACT!

More non-overlapping channels - FACT!

The scatter and reflection on A is better than B/G. The idea being, the higher the frequency, the better the scatter. Would this be correct?

Higher frequencies produce better penetration results through walls, I have read. Or is it worse. Cisco say worse in the document "2.4 GHz waveform of 802.11b and 802.11g can pass through many walls. The 5 GHz waveform of 802.11a has approximately half the tendency for a given power to transmit suitable amounts of energy through walls because of its higher frequency" Ref: enterprise mobility guide. I am a little confused on this ?

A travels thru water and other moisture better than B/G, thus damp walls, wet walls, open areas (lets say between two buildings) would handle A better than B/G?

The Fresnel Zone (clearance required of an obstacle without degrading signal) is better on the A band due to a small wavelength size. Would this be a major factor for an RF design engineer? Any more technical "dummies guide" to this subject would be good?

OFDM handles signalling shortcomings like multipath fade better that previous modulations techniques (I know that G 11Mbps and above uses this also). Anyone have an English explanation to why this is? Also, please look at the graphic attached that shows the enterprise mobility guide in chaper 3, the table. What is the difference between the modulation and transmission type as many people refer to DSSS and OFDM as "modulation" I am a little confuse by this table.

Can anyone give me any more reasons and facts, and clarify any of the points above so when someone comes to me and says, "ahh, just roll out voice on B/G" I can say well this is why not?

Many thx indeed,

Ken

Scott Fella · ‎07-31-2008

You have some good questions. The main reason why people are moving voice to 802.11a is the fact that there is more congestion in the 2.4GhZ spectrum. For example in a downtown area building. There are so many wifi devices out in the 2.4Ghz along with all the other interference that you get on that spectrum. 802.11a, the 5Ghz is a shorter wavelength, so the more it is susceptible to attenuation. The lower the frequency the better the signal can travel through various materials. Look at cell phones.... they are in the 800mhz or lower spectrum and they have greater distances than higher frequencies. Another reason is that if you have guest access, you have to look at devices you need supported. There might be legacy 802.11b clients or newer clients that only support 802.11b or 802.11g. So now the 5Ghz is open which give you more bandwidth for voice.

Water is an RF killer no matter if you use 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz.

-Scott
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kfarrington · ‎07-31-2008

Thx very much.

The other MAIN reason for people saying deploy voice in G is that there are not many device manufactures of A radios especially in Cell phones.

This is where the GSM/Wifi auto switch technology is really going to come into play.

What are you thoughts on this?

As far as I know, Blackberry are the only mobile that support A radios at the mo?

Know of any more?

Many thx

Ken

Scott Fella · ‎08-01-2008

There are the new Nokia's that support 802.11a/b/g. Also I'm currently deploying the Blackberry on one of my clients on the 5Ghz side. Eventually, all devices will support at least 802.11a/b/g. The Cisco 7921's and also Spectralink phones support 802.11a/b/g.

Bottom line is... if your ip phones don't support the 5Ghz, then you are stuck in the 2.4Ghz until you can migrate them later in the future when they do support the 5Ghz side.

-Scott
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kfarrington · ‎08-01-2008

Hi Mate

Do you have the Nokia model number?

Just quickly doin a search now?

Thx

Ken

Scott Fella · ‎08-01-2008

I will try to find it... I went to a seminar in which they just came out with their ip phones.

-Scott
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kfarrington · ‎08-01-2008

That would be soooo much help you would not beleive :)

Many thx

Ken

reginald-pugh · ‎08-01-2008

yes double thx :

Do list all the models of Dual Mode A/b/g phones you know of ie: Blackberry, Nokia

etc.

Here is one: http://www.networkcomputing.com/channels/wireless/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=206905825

Thanks