An Architecture for Wireless LANs with Multimedia Support
Aura Ganz
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Zvi Ganz
AIM Engineering Inc.
Steve Andrezyk
Harris Semiconductors
Abstract
In this article we describe an architecture for a single cell and
multi-cell WLAN capable of supporting voice, videoconferencing and
other collaborative applications.
In addition to meeting the QoS requirements as defined by bodies like the
Multimedia Communication Forum (MMCF), this architecture needs to overcome
inherent challenges of the wireless network environment.
For example: 1) low bandwidth of a few Mbps versus wired LANs bandwidth of
tens or hundreds Mbps, 2) short communication range of each node, 3) high
probability of losing messages due to the noisy wireless environment, and 4)
coexistence with other WLANs.
Our architecture incorporates the following functions paramount to QoS
provision in a wireless environment: admission control, resource allocation,
monitoring the wireless media and the application traffic and flexible
adaptive media access. This architecture has been developed by AIM
Engineering and the University of Massachusetts. The hardware platform that
we use is the advanced PRISM radio developed and introduced by Harris.
Aura Ganz
Multimedia Wireless LAN Laboratory
Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
ganz@tikva.ecs.umass.edu
Zvi Ganz
AIM Engineering Inc.
zvi@aime.com
Steve Andrezyk
Harris Semiconductor
Business Development Manager
Wireless Communications
sandrezy@harris.com