About WaveLAN

ATT/NCR WAVELAN WIRELESS ETHERNET INTERFACE

Note: This is not an official Wavelan site. This information has been collectd in the event that AT&T/NCR remove the Wavelan information from their site. Or more specifically information on the older Wavelan cards that are being used in this project. Think of it as an unofficial Archive.

WaveLAN is a wireless system that offers end-users connectivity to network services anytime, anywhere. WaveLAN can be used to add a wireless extension to an existing LAN or function independently.

Applications

WaveLAN Network Interface Cards and WavePOINT enable instant LAN connectivity across facilities such as retail stores, warehouses, and hospitals where wiring is costly, difficult to install and lacking flexibility. WaveLAN offers a reliable, cost effective solution for wireless client access to the network.

Replicated LANs. Pre-configured, ready to use LANs can be staged at a central location and quickly rolled out over numerous locations.
Difficult wiring environments, such as historic buildings, asbestos installations and open areas. Environments where wiring is difficult if not impossible, and expensive to install.
Frequently changing environments. Retailers, manufacturers, and banks frequently rearrange the workplace or change locations. With WaveLAN this can be done quickly without additional costs.
Temporary LANs. LANs for special projects or peak times. Retailers, airlines and shipping companies need additional workstations for peak periods. Auditors require workgroups at customer sites. Exhibitions and trade shows require temporary set-ups for short time periods.
Emergency LANs. Wireless LANs that allow for a rapid recovery of network systems that were damaged after a disaster.
Wireless Campus Bridge. High-speed connections between separate LANs can be set up quickly using WaveLAN. WaveLAN Point-to-Point links are very cost-competitive with wired alternatives and will save you the expenses of a leased line.

WaveLAN Technology

WaveLAN wireless communication is based on radio-transmission technology.

WaveLAN 915 MHz products, which have been sold since 1990, are available for the North-American market. (U.S.A., Canada and Mexico).
WaveLAN 2.4 GHz products, which have been sold since 1992 are available in North-America and more than 40 countries throughout the world. Subject to local regulations, 2.4 GHz products support sub-channel selection of the 2.4 GHz band, to allow for frequency management.

WaveLAN 2.4 GHz is now available

WaveLAN does not require special site licenses. It uses Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum modulation technique to meet the regulatory requirements that are set for unlicensed usage in the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency bands (915 MHz and 2.4 GHz).

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) modulation provides:

Reliable communications
Protection against eavesdropping

A unique code, built into the WaveLAN product spreads the information signal multiple times over the waveband.
The spreaded signal is transmitted over a wide frequency range, using multiple frequencies simultaneously. This DSSS modulation makes the data transmission virtually immune to interference, avoiding the need for many (time consuming) retransmissions.

The radio signal will appear as mere noise and will yield unintelligible results, unless a WaveLAN equipped device is used to decode the signal. Only WaveLAN receivers know the spreading code that is required to “unspread” the radio signal and, by “match filtering”, be able to retrieve the original information signal.