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- Page 1 User’s Guide and Technical Reference Manual Aironet 3500 Series PC3500 Wireless LAN Adapter DOC-710-004019-A0 Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. • 367 Ghent Road, Suite 300 P.O. Box 5292 • Fairlawn, Ohio 44334-0292...
- Page 2 © 1998 Aironet Wireless Communications. All rights reserved. Aironet , LM3500™, AP3500-E™, AP3500-T™ and PC3500™ are trademarks of Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. Other trademarks used are properties of their respective owners.
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Page 3: Manufacturers Federal Communication Commission Declaration Of Conformity Statement
User Warning The Part 15 radio device operates on a non-interference basis with other devices operating at this frequency. Any changes or modification to said product not expressly approved by Aironet could void the user’s authority to operate this device. - Page 4 Department of Communications - Canada Canadian Compliance Statement This Class B Digital apparatus meets all the requirements of the Canadian Interference - Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numerique de la classe B respecte les exigences du Reglement sur le material broilleur du Canada. This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry of Canada.
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Page 5: Declaration Of Conformity
EN 55022 (B) EN 55011 (B) EN 50082-1 EN 60950 Manufacturer: Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. 367 Ghent Road, Suite 300 Fairlawn Ohio, 44334 The undersigned hereby declares that the equipment specified above conforms to the directives and standards cited herein. -
Page 6: Safety Information
FCC recommended limits. Do not touch or move the PC3500/AP3500 antenna while unit is transmitting or receiving Do not hold any component containing the radio such that... -
Page 7: Warning For Laptop Users
(2 inches) from the user, it is recommended that the user limit exposure time or engage the power saving features of the PC3500 radio to reduce RF exposure. See Section 3 - Installing the PC3500 Software for proper operation of... -
Page 8: Table Of Contents
Before You Start ..............20 Antenna Connectors............21 Standard Antennas..............22 Attaching the Antenna ............23 Detaching the Antenna ............24 Installing the PC3500 into the PC Card Slot .......25 Section 3 Installing the PC3500 Software...........26 Driver Overview ..............26 Windows 95 NDIS3 Installation..........28 Windows NT NDIS3 Installation ........29... - Page 9 Loading New Firmware Versions ........53 Section 5 Error Messages and Trouble Shooting.........55 Indicator LEDs ..............55 If Your Radio Fails to Establish Contact......57 Appendix A PC3500 Specifications ............58 LAN Drivers Supported ............58 Radio Specifications............59 Power Requirements ............60 Physical Specifications............60 Mechanical Description ............61...
- Page 10 Appendix B Overview of WinDGS ............62 Commands Menu..............62 Options Menu ..............64 Edit Parameters..............65 Network Parameters............67 RF Network Parameters ............68 Advanced (Infrastructure) ...........69 Advanced (Ad Hoc/IBSS)............71 Technical Support ...............73...
- Page 11 Figure 1.5 - Extended Infrastructure Using Repeaters....15 Figure 1.6 - Minimal Overlap Coverage Option ......16 Figure 1.7 - Heavy Overlap Coverage Option ........17 Figure 1.8 - Multiple Overlapping Systems Coverage Option ..18 Figure 2.1 - Overview of the PC3500 ..........21 Figure A.1 - Mechanical Outline...........61...
- Page 12 List of Tables Table 1.1 - Supported Drivers..........5 Table 3.1 - Driver Disk Structure.......... 27 Table 3.2 - Minimum PROTOCOL.INI Driver Settings ..31 Table 3.3 - Minimum AWCPKT.INI Driver Settings.... 32 Table 3.4 - Minimum NET.CFG Driver Settings....33 Table 3.5 - General Network Keywords ........
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Page 13: About The User's Guide
This Guide is arranged as follows: Section 1 – Welcome to the PC3500 – provides you with a general introduction to the PC3500, frequency hopping radio technology, and the various configurations you can use when operating the PC3500 in your infrastructure. - Page 14 Appendix A – PC3500 Specifications – provides PC3500 radio and physical specifications. Appendix B – Using the WinDGS Utility – provides detailed descriptions on using the WinDGS utility.
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Page 15: Typographical Conventions
Typographical Conventions When reading the User’s Guide and Technical Reference Manual, it is important to understand the symbol and formatting conventions used in the documentation. The following symbols are used in this guide. Convention Type of Information Indicates a note which contains important information. -
Page 16: Welcome To The Pc3500
Section 1 Welcome to the Aironet PC3500 The Aironet PC3500 is a PC Card radio module that provides transparent wireless data communications between fixed, portable, or mobile devices and other wireless devices or a wired network infrastructure (Ethernet or Token Ring). Host devices can be any device equipped with a PC Card Type II or Type III slot. -
Page 17: Data Transparency And Protocols
The PC3500 operates similarly to a standard network product except the wire is replaced with a radio connection. All existing applications, which operate over a network, will operate using the PC3500 without any special wireless networking functions. Protocols Supported The PC3500 can be used in a variety of infrastructure configurations. -
Page 18: Radio Characteristics
Radio Characteristics The PC3500 uses a radio modulation technique known as Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) transmission. It combines high data throughput with excellent immunity to interference. The PC3500 operates in the 2.4 GHz license-free Industrial Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. Data is transmitted over a half-duplex radio channel operating up to 2 Megabits per second (Mbps). - Page 19 Obstructions. A physical obstruction such as shelving or a pillar can hinder the performance of the PC3500, particularly when using the small Snap-On antenna. Avoid locating the computing device and antenna in a location where there is a barrier between the sending and receiving antennas.
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Page 20: Radio Antenna
Spectrum Technology, previously developed for military “anti- jamming” and “low probability of intercept” radio systems. The Aironet Access Point must be set to the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) as all other Aironet devices on the wireless infrastructure. Units with a different SSID will not be able to... -
Page 21: Terminology
When configuring your system and your PC3500, keep in mind the following terminology: Root Unit – The root unit (Aironet Access Point) is located at the top or starting point of a wireless infrastructure. The root unit provides the physical connection to the wired LAN and contains configuration information in its association table that covers all stations in the infrastructure. - Page 22 If a radio node is using the Power Save Mode to communicate with the infrastructure, the Aironet Access Point must be aware of this mode and implement additional features such as message store and forward.
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Page 23: Figure 1.1 - Viewing The Infrastructure
Figure 1.1 - Viewing the Infrastructure File Server Wired LAN Aironet Access Point (Root Unit) Workstation Aironet Access Point (Repeater) Workstation... -
Page 24: System Configurations
System Configurations The PC3500 can be used in a variety of network system configurations. Aironet Access Points (AP3500-E or AP3500-T) provide connections to your Ethernet or Token Ring networks or act as repeaters increasing wireless communication range. The maximum communication range is based on how you configure your wireless infrastructure. -
Page 25: Figure 1.3 - Wireless Infrastructure
Root Unit Workstation Workstation In a wireless infrastructure, an Aironet Access Point is used as a stand-alone root unit. The root unit is not attached to any wired LAN (such as an Ethernet or Token Ring LAN), but functions as a hub linking all stations together. -
Page 26: Figure 1.4 - Wireless Infrastructure With Workstations Accessing A Wired Lan
Workstation Workstation A Micro-Cellular Network can be created by placing two or more Aironet Access Points on a LAN. The Aironet roaming protocols allow remote workstations to move from one microcell domain to another. The process is seamless and transparent. The connection to the file server or host is maintained without disruption. -
Page 27: Figure 1.5 - Extended Infrastructure Using Repeaters
Aironet Access Point (Repeater) An Aironet Access Point can be configured as a stand-alone repeater to extend the range of your infrastructure, or to overcome an RF blocking obstacle. The repeater forwards traffic between the PC3500 equipped workstations and devices... -
Page 28: Coverage Options
Seamless roaming is supported as a mobile station moves in and out of range of each Access Point, thereby maintaining a constant connection to the wired LAN. Each Access Point (and PC3500) must be configured with the same Service Set Identifier (SSID) in order to provide the roaming capability. -
Page 29: Figure 1.7 - Heavy Overlap Coverage Option
Access Point failure. Upon failure of the Access Point, the station will automatically roam to an operational Access Point. With this architecture, all Access Points and PC3500 units must be configured with the same Service Set Identifier (SSID). -
Page 30: Figure 1.8 - Multiple Overlapping Systems Coverage Option
In this mode, each system must be configured with different Service Set Identifiers (SSID), which prevent PC3500 clients from roaming to Access Points of a different wireless system. -
Page 31: Installing The Pc3500 Hardware
Section 2 Installing the PC3500 Hardware This section describes the procedures for installing the Aironet PC3500 Wireless LAN Adapter. Here’s what you’ll find in this section: Before You Start Attaching the Antenna Connecting the PC3500... -
Page 32: Before You Start
Before You Start For the PC3500 to be used with a computing device (desktop personal computer, notebook, laptop computer, portable or hand-held device), the device must be equipped with an internal or external PC Card Type II or Type III slot. All drivers and supporting software (card and socket services) for the PC Card slot must be loaded and configured. -
Page 33: Antenna Connectors
Connectors Antenna Connectors The PC3500 has two female MicroMate antenna connectors on one end. All antennas and cables attached to the PC3500 must be equipped with male MicroMate connectors. The two antenna connectors allow a Diversity Antenna or two separate antennas to be attached to the PC3500. When two... -
Page 34: Standard Antennas
Aironet Access Point. The design of the Snap-On and Remote Diversity antennas take full advantage of the PC3500’s ability to detect and use the strongest signal. The PC3500 can also be used with a variety of optional external antennas. -
Page 35: Attaching The Antenna
1. Hold the antenna so the connector and guide pin leads line up with the connector and slots on the PC3500. 2. Slide the leads on the antenna into the connectors until they snap into place. -
Page 36: Detaching The Antenna
1. Remove the PC3500 from the PC Card slot. 2. Grasp the center of the antenna with the thumb and forefinger. 3. Gently pull the antenna away from the PC3500 until it comes free. CAUTION: Do Not bend or twist the antenna away from the PC Card body. -
Page 37: Installing The Pc3500 Into The Pc Card Slot
PC Card slot configurations. The PC3500 can be connected to a PC Card Type II slot. This includes slots that support both Type II and Type III cards. CAUTION: Do not force the PC3500 into the PC Card slot. -
Page 38: Installing The Pc3500 Software
Section 3 Installing the PC3500 Software The PC3500 card is supplied with PACKET, NDIS2, NDIS3 and ODI drivers allowing operation under DOS, Windows 3.x, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, Windows NT, and Novell Netware. The PC3500 is fully IEEE 802.3 compliant with the Ethernet standard for frame types and addressing allowing it to function as a standard network interface card. -
Page 39: Table 3.1 - Driver Disk Structure
The driver disk shipped with the PC3500 is organized as follows: Table 3.1 - Driver Disk Structure README.TXT Contains latest information about the disk contents DIAG Directory containing utilities FLSH3545.COM PC card flash firmware 35C???.BIN Latest firmware release NDIS2 Directory containing NDIS2 driver files AWC2N35C.DOS... -
Page 40: Windows 95 Ndis3 Installation
Windows 95 NDIS3 Installation To complete the installation of the PC3500 under Windows 95, make sure that the Windows 95 PC Card driver is installed and PC Card 32-bit support is enabled. NOTE: To find out more about PC Card and PC... -
Page 41: Windows Nt Ndis3 Installation
Devices in the Control Panel. 1. Shutdown the Windows NT workstation. 2. Insert the PC3500 adapter into one of the PC Card slots. 3. Power up the Windows NT workstation. 4. From the control panel, select the Network icon. -
Page 42: Windows For Workgroups Ndis2 Installation
If the drivers were already copied to the hard disk, they will be displayed in the list. Under Add Adapter, choose Aironet PC3500 Adapter. If it is not on the menu list, choose Unlisted or Updated Network Driver. The Install Driver pop up window will ask you for the Aironet driver disk. -
Page 43: Dos Ndis2 Installation
DOS NDIS2 Installation The PC3500 LAN Adapter can be installed in a NetBIOS compliant DOS environment such as MicroSoft LAN Manager or PC LAN. The installation of this driver includes creating or editing a configuration file (PROTOCOL.INI). It is required that this file contains the following lines: Table 3.2 - Minimum PROTOCOL.INI Driver Settings... -
Page 44: Dos Packet Driver Installation
SSID = “your_SSID_here” SSID = “your_SSID_here” Additional variables defined in the following section may also be used. The PC3500 LAN Adapter can be installed in a DOS environment using DOS IP stack products such as FTP software. Power on your computer. -
Page 45: Odi Driver Installation
ODI Driver Installation The PC3500 can be installed in an ODI compliant DOS environment such as Novell NetWare. Table 3.4 - Minimum NET.CFG Driver Settings INFRASTRUCTURE MODE Link Driver AWCO35C If INFRASTRUCTURE is omitted the default will be “ON” SSID = “your_SSID_here”... -
Page 46: General Information
General Information AWCPKT.INI file must have a section header of [AWCPKT]. PROTOCOL.INI file can have any section header, but the section must contain the keyword and parameter DRIVERNAME=“AWC2N35C$”. NET.CFG file must have a section header of [Link Driver AWCO35C]. NOTE: These lines may appear anywhere within a section. - Page 47 For Packet string parameters, the string can be enclosed with double quotes or single quotes. If a string is quoted, any character except a “null” and the quote delimiter itself can occur between the quotes. NOTE: If double quotes are used for a delimiter, a single quote may appear in the string, and vise versa.
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Page 48: Driver Keywords And Settings
The default PC3500 configuration is set to: Constant Awake Mode. Infrastructure Mode. This allows association with any Aironet Access Point matching the SSID supplied by the user. The factory supplied network address Receive directed packets to this address as well as... -
Page 49: Table 3.5 - General Network Keywords
Same as NETADDRESS. RXMODE NORMAL, Optional - this setting determines UNICAST, what frames are delivered to the NOMULTICAST driver from the PC3500 (default is NORMAL). NORMAL indicates unicast, multicast and broadcast frames are received. DATARATE1 0-255 Specified in increasing speed to identify the network configuration to associate to (default). -
Page 50: Table 3.6 - Advanced Network Keywords
RXDIVERSITY DEFAULT, ON, Optional – specifies the receive RIGHT, LEFT diversity method to be used by the PC3500 (default is on). TXDIVERSITY DEFAULT, ON, Optional – specifies the transmit RIGHT, LEFT diversity method to be used by the PC3500 (default is on). -
Page 51: Table 3.7 - Fragmentation Keywords
Additional system performance adjustments can be made with the following group of variables. Table 3.7 - Fragmentation Keywords Keywords Value Description FRAGTHRESHOLD 256 – 2312 (must Optional - specifies the be even) fragmentation size in bytes. Frames longer than this value will be transmitted using multiple packets (default is 700). -
Page 52: Table 3.8 - Power Management Keywords
PC3500 power management can be adjusted with the following group of variables. Table 3.8 - Power Management Keywords Keywords Value Description POWERSAVEMODE CAM, PSP, Optional - specifies a particular FASTPSP operational mode (default is CAM). CAM = Constant Awake Mode... - Page 53 Value Description FASTLISTENTIME 0 – 0xFFFF Infrastructure only - determines how often to awaken for beacons. Note that the PC3500 will always awaken to receive DTIMs when in Fastpsp Mode (default is 100 K sec). LISTENDECAY 0 – 0xFFFF Rate at which the listen interval grows (default is 2).
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Page 54: Table 3.9 - Scanning Keywords
SCANMODE ACTIVE, Optional - parameter to determine PASSIVE, the current scanning mode to be ADVANCED used by the PC3500 (default is ACTIVE). BEACONLISTENTO 0 – 0xFFFF Optional – for passive scanning mode, determines the amount of time (K sec) to listen for a beacon on each channel (default is 40 K sec). -
Page 55: Table 3.10 - Infrastructure Keywords
Additional system performance adjustments can be made with the following parameters. Table 3.10 - Infrastructure Keywords Keywords Value Description SSID 1 to 32 character This parameter must match the string SSID of the system for proper infrastructure operation. BEACONLOSTTIME 0 – 0xFFFF Optional –... - Page 56 Table 3.10 - Infrastructure Keywords (Continued) Keywords Value Description SPECIFIEDAPTO 0 – 0xFFFF Time in K sec to attempt to associate to a specified Access Point before searching for any available Access Points (with matching SSID) (default is 10,000 K sec [10 sec]). AUTHTIMEOUT 0 –...
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Page 57: Table 3.11 - Ad Hoc Keywords
Ad hoc system operation is accomplished with the following group of variables. Table 3.11 - Ad Hoc Keywords Keywords Value Description JOINNETTO 0 – 0xFFFF Optional - determines the amount of time that an ad hoc station will scan before starting its own network (default is 10,000 K sec [10 sec]). - Page 58 If you are not using card services, your host system must have an Intel 82365 or compatible PC Card controller chip. The PC3500 driver will then configure the PC Card controller chip directly and each of the following parameters should be...
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Page 59: Table 3.12 - Pc Card Keywords
Optional – If card services are used, this keyword is ignored. If card services are not used, this is a block of memory the driver will use to view the PC3500 CIS (default is 0xD000). In the NET.CFG file the parameter is D0000, not 0xD000. -
Page 60: Utilities
Section 4 Utilities This section describes procedures for using utilities and updating firmware depending on the operating system used. See Appendix B for detailed configuration procedures for WinDGS using Windows 95. Here’s what you will find in this section: Using the utilities Loading new firmware versions Site Survey and Link Test In order to perform a meaningful site survey, it is necessary to... - Page 61 It is important to remember the information being displayed is from the Aironet Access Point viewpoint. Therefore, packets sent are from the Aironet Access Point to the PC3500 client. Packets received are from the PC3500 to the Aironet Access Point. Signal quality is an estimate of the signal strength recorded at the time of packet reception by the radio.
- Page 62 9. Navigate through the Aironet Access Point menu to the link test option. See the AP3500 Technical Reference Manual for more information. 10. Set up the test options to accurately model the system. 11. Set the test for continuous operation with a 1 second delay.
- Page 63 Packet Size: This parameter specifies the size of the data packet to be sent to the Aironet Access Point. Be aware that the TCP/IP stack that comes with Windows 95 will fragment packets greater than 512 bytes. Therefore, the number of packets transmitted will not match the number of packets received (even if none are lost) if the packet size is greater than 512 bytes.
- Page 64 The combined result is represented by a diagonal line. The Aironet Access Point associating with the PC3500 is indicated along the bottom of the display as well as its MAC address. For more information on the Aironet Access Point testing procedures, see the AP3500 Technical Reference Manual.
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Page 65: Loading New Firmware Versions
Loading New Firmware Versions The PC3500 firmware is contained in the card’s flash memory. Flash memory allows for easy updating of the firmware as necessary. To Upgrade Firmware for Windows 95: The WinDGS program is used to load new firmware into the PC3500. - Page 66 0x140. Optional – If card services are used, this parameter is ignored. If card services are not used, this is the PC Card socket the PC3500 is inserted into (default is 0). If card services are used, this parameter is ignored.
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Page 67: Error Messages And Trouble Shooting
The amber indicator is the Link Activity LED. It flashes when the PC3500 is receiving or transmitting data or in a pattern to indicate an error condition. See Table 5.1 for an explanation of the LED Messages and... -
Page 68: Table 5.1 - Green Led Operating Messages
Associated with an infrastructure network Table 5.2 – Amber LED Operating Messages Amber LED Green LED Condition Flashing Continuously on or PC3500 is flashing slowly transmitting or receiving data while associated with an Access Point Flashing in a Continuously on... -
Page 69: If Your Radio Fails To Establish Contact
Change your location or the location of the antenna by a few feet and transmit again. Make sure the antenna is securely attached. Make sure the PC3500 is securely inserted in the PC Card slot. Make sure the receiving equipment is turned on and operating. -
Page 70: Appendix Apc3500 Specifications
Appendix A - PC3500 Specifications LAN Drivers Supported Table A.1 - Supported Drivers Protocol Operating System DOS based driver for Novell Netware NDIS 2 MS DOS, Windows 3.xx NDIS 3 Windows 95, Windows NT Packet MS DOS, Windows 3.xx... -
Page 71: Radio Specifications
Radio Specifications Table A.2 - Radio Specifications Item Specification Description Radio Type Frequency Hopper 2.4 GHz ISM Band Operating 2400-2495 North American, Frequency ETSI, and Japan channel coverage, factory configurable FCC ID LOZ102033 FCC approval Channeling 1 MHz increments Programmable for IEEE 802.11 Type of 2GFSK (1 Mbit/s) -
Page 72: Power Requirements
Power Requirements Table A.3 - Power Requirements Specification Value Operational Voltage 5.0 0.25 Volts Receive Mode Current 300 mA High Power Transmit Mode 650 mA Current Standby Mode Current 5 mA Physical Specifications Table A.4 - Physical Characteristics Item Description Size x 2.13"... -
Page 73: Mechanical Description
Mechanical Description Figure A.1 - Mechanical Outline 3.370 RF CONN. (2) 2.126 LED LOC'N (2) .196 J1 and J2 provided for diversity antenna connections. If a special single-coax diversity antenna is required, use J1 exclusively. -
Page 74: Appendix B Overview Of Windgs
Appendix B - Using the WinDGS Utility Overview of WinDGS WinDGS is used to perform user level diagnostics on your Aironet Wireless LAN Adapter Card in the Windows 95 or Windows NT operating system environment. Commands Menu The Commands Menu includes:... -
Page 75: Edit Properties
Statistics The Statistics screen shows the current statistics from the PC3500. Statistics are updated at the rate specified by the Screen Update Timer. Clear the current statistics by clicking on Reset. Exit the Statistics screen by clicking on OK, or by clicking on the X in the upper right hand corner of the dialog box. -
Page 76: Options Menu
Options Menu The Options Menu includes: Preferences Screen Update Timer Save Properties Options Preferences The WinDGS Preferences allow you to customize various parameters that control the operation of WinDGS. For example, you can set the rate at which the values are updated in the status and statistics screens via the Screen Update Timer. -
Page 77: Edit Parameters
Registry. If the box is not checked, the operation will default to “Save Properties to the Registry”. Edit Parameters The PC3500 Parameters include: System Parameters Network Parameters RF Network Parameters... - Page 78 SSID The Service Set Identifier (SSID) controls access to a given wireless network. This value MUST match the SSID of any/all Access Points that you want to communicate with. If the value does not match, access to the system is not granted. The SSID can be up to 32 characters (case sensitive).
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Page 79: Network Parameters
Power Save Mode causes the Access Point to buffer incoming messages. The PC3500 must wake up periodically and poll the Access Point to see if there are any buffered messages waiting. The PC3500 can request each message and then go back to sleep. Fast Power Save Mode Fast Power Save Mode (Fast PSP Mode) switches between PSP and CAM based on network traffic. -
Page 80: Rf Network Parameters
RF Network Parameters RF Network Parameters include: Fragment Threshold: This parameter defines a threshold above which the RF packet will be split up or fragmented. If a packet is fragmented or transmission of part of it is interfered with, only the portion that was unsuccessful would need to be re-sent. -
Page 81: Advanced (Infrastructure)
Snap-On antenna. The PC3500 will not to attempt to communicate using the left hand antenna port since no antenna is connected to it. -
Page 82: Rts Threshold
RTS/CTS mechanism. RTS Retry Limit This parameter controls the number of times the PC3500 will re- send the RTS packet if it does not receive a CTS from the previously sent RTS packet. Setting this to a large value will... -
Page 83: Advanced (Ad Hoc/Ibss)
Advanced (Ad Hoc/IBSS) In Ad Hoc Mode, you can also modify the following parameters: Hop Set Hop Pattern Hop Dwell Period Beacon Period Wake Duration Hop Set The IEEE 802.11 Standard specifies three hop sets, which are pre-defined sets of frequencies that IEEE 802.11 Frequency Hopping systems MUST use. - Page 84 Hop Dwell Period This parameter specifies how long the system will stay on one frequency before hopping to the next frequency in the pattern. The maximum duration is set by the regulatory body for your country. The limit for the United States is 400 ms (approximately 390 K sec).
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Page 85: Technical Support
Technical Support Aironet Wireless Communications, Inc. 367 Ghent Road, Suite 300 PO Box 5292 Fairlawn, Ohio 44334-0292 Telephone - (800) 705-5555 - (330) 664-7990 e-mail - techsupp@aironet.com http://www. aironet.com...
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