802.11 WLAN MAC frames | wlan control frame, wlan management frame
This article on WLAN MAC protocol describes 802.11 WLAN MAC frames viz. wlan control frame,data frame and wlan management frame. Control frames include acknowledgement frame and RTS/CTS frames. Management frames include Authentication frame, Association Request/Response frame, Beacon frame, De-authentication frame, Disassociation frame, Probe request/response frame and Re-association request/response frame.
WLAN MAC Control frames
WLAN MAC has defined following two frames for control functionalities. They are acknowledgement frame and RTS/CTS frames. The sub-fields of frame control field of control frames are shown in the figure. Both the control frames follow following format as shown in the figure.
The control frames control the exchange of data frames between the stations(STAs).
Some very useful control frames are as follows:
ACK or Acknowledgement frame: The receiving station sends an acknowledgement frame to the sending
station after receiving the data without any error.
If the ack frame is not received within the pre-determined time period by the transmitter
then the transmitter re-sends the data frames.
RTS/CTS frame: The RTS(Request to Send) and CTS(Clear to Send)
frames provide an optional
collision reduction scheme for APs with hidden stations(STAs).
If any WLAN node has any frame to be sent it will send out RTS frame.
This serves two funtions viz. help sending station to reserve the RF link and
also indicates all the other stations not to transmit.
If any target station receives RTS, it will respond with the CTS.
Like the RTS frame, CTS will inform to nearby stations to be silent i.e. do not transmit any
frame over RF.
WLAN MAC Data frames
The data frame format is shown in the figure.
The content of the Address fields of the data frame is dependent upon the values of "To DS" and "From DS" bits. Where content of a field is shown as NA(not applicable); the respective field is omitted.
Note 1: The address-1 always holds the RA(Receiver Address) of the intended receiver or receivers(e.g. in multicast operation). Note 2 : The address-2 always holds the address of STA which is transmitting the MAC frame.
WLAN MAC Management frames
WLAN MAC has defined following frames for management functionalities. They are Authentication/De-authentication, Association Request/Response, Beacon, Dis-association frame, Probe request/response frame and Re-association request/response frame. All the management frames follow following format as shown in the figure.
A station utilizes contents of address-1 field for address matching to perform receive decisions. In cases wheere address-1 field contains a group address and also if the frame type is other than beacon frame type; in these cases BSSID is validated to ensure that the broadcast/multicast originated is in the same BSS.
Authentication frame: WLAN authentication begins with the WNIC(i.e. wireless network interface card) by sending an authentication frame to the AP containing its identity.
Association Request frame: This is sent by STATION. It basically enables AP to allocate resources and also synchronize.The frame carries information about the WNIC. In addition it carries supported data rates and SSID of the network with which station wishes to associate. If the request is accepted , then the AP reserves memory and it also establishes association ID for WNIC.
Association response frame: This is transmitted by an AP to a STA. It tells acceptance or rejection verdict of the Association Request Frame. If the verdict is acceptance then the information field of the frame contains association ID and supported data rates.
Beacon frame: It is sent periodically from an AP to announce its presence. It provides SSID and other information parameters for WNICs within the coverage range.
De-authentication frame: This is sent from a STA within to terminate connection from the another STATION.
Disassociation frame: This is sent from a station wishing to terminate connection.This is the best method to allow the AP to de-allocate memory and remove WNIC details from the association table.
Probe request frame: It is sent from Station when it requires information from the other station.
Probe response frame: It is sent from an AP in response to probe request frame. It contains capability information and data rate supported.
Re-association request frame: WNIC sends a re-association request when it drops from the range of currently associated AP and finds another AP with stronger signal. The new AP co-ordinates forwarding of any information that lies in the buffer of previous AP.
Re-association response frame: It is sent by AP. It indicates acceptance ot rejection of re-association request frame transmitted by WNIC. Frame includes association ID and supported data rates.
To understand wifi mac protocol further, refer WLAN MAC part-1 for more information.
WLAN MAC frames Links
WLAN Association Request and response frame
WLAN authentication Request and deauthentication frame
WLAN beacon frame
WLAN passive vs active scanning frame
WLAN Probe Request and response frame
WLAN reassociation Request and response frame
WLAN RTS and CTS frame
Other Standard MAC layer protocol
WIMAX MAC PROTOCOL
WLAN MAC LAYER PROTOCOL PART1
WLAN MAC LAYER PROTOCOL PART2
ZIGBEE MAC LAYER FRAME
BLUETOOTH MAC LAYER
802.11AC MAC LAYER