802.11b
has a
maximum raw data rate of 11 Mbit/s and
uses the same CSMA/CA
media access method defined in the original [IEEE
802.11
(wireless networking)] standard.
Due to the
CSMA/CA protocol overhead, in practice the maximum 802.11b throughput
that an application can achieve is about 5.9 Mbit/s using TCP and 7.1
Mbit/s using UDP.
802.11b products appeared on the market in early
2000,
since 802.11b is a direct extension of the DSSS
(Direct-sequence spread spectrum) modulation technique defined in the
original standard. Technically, the 802.11b
standard uses Complementary code keying
(CCK) as its modulation technique. The dramatic increase in throughput
of 802.11b (compared to the original standard) along with simultaneous
substantial price reductions led to the rapid acceptance of 802.11b as
the definitive wireless LAN technology.
source - IEEE 802.11b-1999.
(2008, May 4). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Retrieved June 26, 2008, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11b
Most Hautspot venues currently employ 802.11b as their client access
technology. Compared to 802.11g
(which also
occupies the 2.4GHz band), signal typically travels farther and with
less degradation.