802.11an MAC Timings
=======================


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        **What are MAC timings in IEEE 802.11an?**

        MAC timings define parameters like interframe spaces, slot times, and backoff intervals to coordinate wireless transmissions.

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        **Why are precise MAC timings important in 802.11an?**

        Accurate timings prevent collisions, ensure fair medium access, and improve overall network efficiency.

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        **What is SIFS in 802.11an?**

        Short Interframe Space (SIFS) is the shortest wait time used between frames like data and acknowledgments.

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        **What is DIFS in 802.11an?**

        Distributed Interframe Space (DIFS) is the wait time before a station attempts to access the medium when idle.

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        **How does 802.11an use AIFS?**

        Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS) allows differentiated wait times for traffic categories to support QoS.

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        **What is the slot time in 802.11an?**

        Slot time is the basic unit of time for backoff and contention algorithms, typically 9 microseconds in 802.11an.

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        **How does the contention window affect MAC timings?**

        The contention window determines random backoff periods to avoid collisions during medium access.

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        **What is the purpose of backoff in 802.11an MAC?**

        Backoff delays transmission attempts after detecting a busy medium, reducing collision probability.

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        **How are retransmission timings defined?**

        Timers ensure retransmissions occur only after appropriate intervals to avoid congestion.

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        **What timing changes does 802.11an introduce compared to 802.11a?**

        802.11an adapts timings for wider bandwidth and MIMO operation but keeps slot time typically at 9 µs.

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        **How do MAC timings impact Quality of Service?**

        Differentiated interframe spaces (AIFS) prioritize traffic, improving QoS support.

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        **What is the relationship between MAC and PHY timings?**

        MAC timings synchronize with PHY layer symbol durations to optimize frame transmissions.

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        **How is the NAV timer related to MAC timings?**

        Network Allocation Vector (NAV) sets virtual carrier sensing intervals to avoid collisions during transmissions.

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        **How do timing parameters influence power saving?**

        Sleep cycles rely on timing coordination for clients to wake and receive buffered data efficiently.

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        **Are MAC timings fixed or adaptive in 802.11an?**

        Some timings are fixed by the standard; others adapt dynamically based on network conditions.

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        **How do MAC timings help avoid hidden node problems?**

        Proper interframe spacing and backoff reduce chances of overlapping transmissions from hidden nodes.

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        **What is the impact of incorrect MAC timing settings?**

        Misconfigured timings lead to increased collisions, retransmissions, and degraded throughput.

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        **How does MAC timing facilitate frame aggregation?**

        Timing parameters coordinate multiple frame transmissions to improve channel efficiency.


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        Topics in this section,

                * :ref:`Learnings in this section <mac_timings_step1>`

                * :ref:`Terminology <mac_timings_step2>`

                * :ref:`Version Info <mac_timings_step3>`

                * :ref:`mac_timings Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <mac_timings_step18>`

                * :ref:`Reference links <mac_timings_step17>`

.. _mac_timings_step1:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section

        * In this section, you are going to learn

.. _mac_timings_step2:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Terminology
        
       * Terminology


.. _mac_timings_step3:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Version Info
    
         * Version Info


.. _mac_timings_step18:

.. tab-set::

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

       * setup


.. _mac_timings_step17:

.. tab-set::

    .. tab-item:: Reference links
     
       * Reference links