RF802.11 vs 802.16: Key Differences Explained
802.11
802.16
wlan
wimax
wireless lan
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This article highlights the key differences between the 802.11 and 802.16 series of standards. IEEE 802.11 standards define Wireless LAN (WLAN) technologies, while 802.16 standards define WiMAX technologies.
Here’s a comparison table summarizing the core differences:
| Specifications | 802.11 | 802.16 |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Wireless LAN (WLAN) | WiMAX |
| Standard Variants | 802.11a, 11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, 11ad, etc. | 802.16a, 802.16d, 802.16e, 802.16m, etc. |
| Coverage Range | 30 to 100 meters | 7 Km to 50 Km |
| Usage | Indoor | Outdoor |
| Bandwidth | 20 MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz and 160 MHz (depending on the variant) | Dynamic allocation, from 1.5 to 28 MHz (depending on user needs) |
| Data Rate | Up to 54 Mbps (802.11a), 300-600 Mbps (802.11n), Gbps (802.11ac/11ad) | Up to 150 Mbps (depending on bandwidth usage) |
| QoS | Supported in IEEE 802.11e | Different QoS options available (UGS, rtPS, nrtPS, BE) |
| Frequency of Operation | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz | 2.5, 3.5, 5.8 GHz |
| Tutorial Link |
In summary:
- 802.11 (Wi-Fi): Primarily designed for indoor, short-range wireless connectivity. Think of connecting your laptop to your home router.
- 802.16 (WiMAX): Designed for outdoor, long-range wireless connectivity. It’s more akin to providing wireless internet access to a larger area, like a city or region.
