802.11ad MAC Functions
=========================

.. panels::
    :container: container pb-4
    :column: col-lg-12 p-2
    :card: shadow

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **What are MAC functions in 802.11ad?**

        MAC functions in 802.11ad manage frame transmission, scheduling, medium access, beamforming coordination, and QoS in the 60 GHz band.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **What makes MAC in 802.11ad different from earlier standards?**

        802.11ad MAC includes directionality-aware access, beamforming support, and highly scheduled service periods due to challenges in 60 GHz propagation.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **What is the role of the PCP (Personal Basic Service Set Control Point)?**

        The PCP acts like an access point, coordinating access periods (CBAPs and SPs), beaconing, and resource allocation within the PBSS.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **How does 802.11ad MAC support beamforming?**

        MAC frames include training sequences and feedback exchanges that allow devices to perform beam training, refinement, and tracking dynamically.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **Does 802.11ad use traditional CSMA/CA?**

        Yes, but it's used only in Contention-Based Access Periods (CBAPs). The standard also supports scheduled access (SPs) for QoS and efficiency.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **What types of frames are supported in 802.11ad MAC?**

        It includes control, management, and data frames, with added support for beamforming and directional transmission signaling.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **What MAC-level QoS features does 802.11ad offer?**

        Service Periods (SPs) and prioritized CBAPs allow deterministic and high-priority traffic scheduling, critical for video streaming and low-latency use cases.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **How does fragmentation work in 802.11ad MAC?**

        802.11ad supports fragmentation of MAC Service Data Units (MSDUs) for improved reliability over variable link quality in the 60 GHz band.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **How are retransmissions handled in 802.11ad?**

        MAC layer uses Block ACK and selective retransmission schemes to efficiently recover lost frames without redundant transmissions.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **What is the role of beacons in MAC operation?**

        Beacons synchronize the network, announce access schedules (CBAPs and SPs), and assist in beam alignment and channel availability.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **Is power management supported in 802.11ad MAC?**

        Yes, MAC supports dozing and wake-up signaling coordinated with beacons and service periods for energy-efficient operations.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **How does the MAC support peer-to-peer (P2P) communication?**

        802.11ad enables direct device-to-device links via the PBSS architecture, with MAC coordinating link setup, beam alignment, and transmission scheduling.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **Are MAC functions in 802.11ad fixed or flexible?**

        Many parameters are standardized, but SP durations, CBAP access policies, and beamforming intervals can be tuned per deployment needs.

    .. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        **Where can I find detailed MAC specifications for 802.11ad?**

        In the IEEE 802.11ad amendment (2012) and incorporated sections of the full IEEE 802.11 standard (2016 and later).

.. panels::
        :container: container pb-4
        :column: col-lg-12 p-2
        :card: shadow

        Topics in this section,

                * :ref:`Learnings in this section <mac_functions_step1>`

                * :ref:`Terminology <mac_functions_step2>`

                * :ref:`Version Info <mac_functions_step3>`

                * :ref:`mac_functions Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <mac_functions_step18>`

                * :ref:`Reference links <mac_functions_step17>`

.. _mac_functions_step1:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section

        * In this section, you are going to learn

.. _mac_functions_step2:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Terminology

       * Terminology


.. _mac_functions_step3:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Version Info

         * Version Info


.. _mac_functions_step18:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: mac_functions Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4

       * setup


.. _mac_functions_step17:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Reference links

       * Reference links