Working Group
As per their operating rules, the P802.11 Working Group reaffirmed the Chair and Vice Chairs, Secretary, Standing Committee Chairs and Treasurer. Thus, the leadership team currently consists of:
- Stuart J. Kerry - Chair
- Al Petrick - Vice Chair Policies & Treasury
- Harry R. Worstell - Vice Chair Attendance, Ballots & Documents + WNM Chair-elect
- Tim Godfrey - Working Group Secretary Minutes
- Brian Mathews - Working Group Publicity Chair Communications & Reports
- Terry Cole - WG Technical Editor Publication Coordination
- Teik-Kheong "TK" Tan - WNG SC Chair Wireless LANs Next Generation
- John Fakatselis - TGe Chair MAC Enhancements - QoS
- Duncan Kitchin - TGe Vice-Chair MAC Enhancements - QoS & ANA LEAD
- David Halasz - TGi Chair Enhanced Security Mechanisms
- Shueng Li - TGj Chair 4.9 - 5 GHz Operation in Japan
- Richard H. Paine - TGk Chair Radio Resource Measurement
- Bob O'Hara - TGm Chair Standard Maintenance
- Bruce P. Kraemer - TGn Chair High Throughput
- Clint Chaplin - FR SG Chair Fast Roaming
- Donald E. Eastlake 3rd - MESH SG Chair ESS Mesh networking
- Lee Armstrong - WAVE SG Chair Wireless Access Vehicular Environment
- Stephen McCann - WIEN SG Chair Elect Wireless Interworking with external networks
- Charles Wright - WPP SG Chair Wireless performance prediction
Task Group e - Quality of Service approved for Sponsor Ballot
Task Group e resolved all comments from the last Working Group Letter Ballot and is in the final stages of preparing for a Working Group Recirculation Ballot, which should occur shortly after the May interim meeting. The IEEE P802.11e amendment will provide for standardized Quality of Service (QoS) to enhance voice, video and other time-bounded or prioritized network traffic.
IEEE 802.11i Security Specification gains 802 Executive Committee approval
Having achieved a very high percentage agreement on the latest draft, the IEEE 802.11i Task Group was given approval by the IEEE 802 Executive Committee to submit their latest draft to the Review Committee for a final review.
Task Group j approved to go to Sponsor Ballot
The TGj Working Group Recirculation Letter Ballot 66 closed this week and passed. All comments were resolved and the group received approval from the 802 Executive Committee to prepare a Sponsor Ballot. The IEEE P802.11j amendment specifies how products must operate for use in the newly allocated 4.9 - 5 GHz frequency bands in Japan.
Task Group k Radio Resource Measurement
The group continues to refine their document in preparation for a Working Group Letter Ballot. Their goal is to be ready to issue a Letter Ballot by the close of the May meeting.
Task Group m - Maintenance At the March meeting the Maintenance group handled two interpretation requests: (1)adoption of beacon parameters in an IBSS, and (2)resynchronization of the scrambler. TGm also responded to comments on the revised PAR from other 802 working groups. Task Group m is seeking authorization to produce an official revision of the 802.11 standard incorporating needed changes identified through the maintenance process. Authorization from the IEEE Standards Board Review Committee (RevCom) is expected prior to the May meeting.
Task Group n - High Throughput
The High Throughput Study Group continued work on the four documents needed before proposals can be considered: Channel Models, Functional Requirements, Comparison Criteria, and Usage Models. Comparison Criteria and Usage Models need more work and are expected to be complete in May when a call for proposals can be issued.
Publicity Standing Committee
The IEEE 802.11/802.15 Publicity Joint Standing Committee received reports from industry groups (Wi-Fi Alliance, WiMedia Alliance, and Bluetooth SIG). Draft text for a press release was reviewed. Also, external communication and references to IEEE 802.11/15 in articles and public white papers was discussed.
WLAN Next Generation Standing Committee (WNG)
The Wireless LANs Next Generation Standing Committee continued exploratory discussions on new technologies and how other standards groups might cooperate with IEEE 802.11 to bring about the ubiquitous wireless networking envisioned for the future. Discussions and presentations primarily focused on Gigabit WLAN, Access Point Architecture, and the Study Group-elect areas of Interworking(WIEN) and Network Management(WNM).
Wireless Access for Vehicular Environments(WAVE) Study Group
The WAVE group continued to refine PAR paperwork and respond to comments submitted by other groups. This study group will continue to seek Working Group approval for formation of a Task Group.
Fast Roaming Study Group
The Fast Roaming Study Group's PAR was given approval by the IEEE 802 Executive Committee to be forwarded to NesCom for final approval. The group also chose to adopt the technical term "Fast BSS-Transition" to define the focus of their effort. This group will be assigned the letter 802.11r when it officially becomes a Task Group.
ESS Mesh Study Group
The ESS Mesh Study Group was given approval by the IEEE 802 Executive Committee to forward its PAR to NesCom for final approval. The group selected a Secretary and Editor and received eight presentations. This group will be known as Task Group s once fully approved.
Wireless Performance Prediction(WPP) Study Group
WPP continues to receive presentations and hold discussions trying to define a purpose and scope for the group's effort. The goal is to have a PAR ready by the end of the May meeting. For more information see the tutorial hereFor additional details on these items, contact Stuart J. Kerry, IEEE 802.11 Chair, at stuart.kerry@philips.com
Upcoming IEEE 802.11 Meetings:
* 9-14 May 2004 -- IEEE 802.11 interim meeting in Garden Grove, CA, USA in conjunction with meetings of the other 802 wireless groups
* 11-16 July 2004 -- IEEE Plenary Meeting in Portland, OR, USA