Analysis and testing of mobile wireless networks

As the technology matures, wireless networks are being used in more applications providing significant benefits to mobile users. There are now many products, complying with wireless network standards 802.11 and 802.11b, for linking mobile computing elements together and into the Internet using radio signals. Wireless networks provide mobility, but offer lower reliability and performance compared to wired networks. Standard methods of analyzing and testing wireless network throughput and compatibility are needed to determine current performance limits of this technology. This paper presents experimental methods of determining wireless network product throughput, latency, range and coverage in the outdoor environment. Field test results from two representative 802.11 and 802.11b products are presented. Radio frequency (RF) domain analysis was performed on the same products allowing calculation of theoretical maximum throughput and range. Comparison of the outdoor field-test data with performance predicted from RF analysis yielded quantitative results applicable to future communication system design.