2023/11/1 16:30 802.

11n OFDM Signal Structure

Show

802.11n Signal Structure

In 802.11n system, based on the WLAN OFDM system, two new formats are defined for the PLCP (PHY Layer Convergence Protocol): the Mixed Mode and the Green
Field. These two formats are called HT (High Throughput) formats. In addition to the HT formats, there is a legacy duplicate format that duplicates the 20MHz legacy
packet in two 20MHz halves of a 40MHz channel.
So, the 802.11n PHY in time domain operates in one of 3 modes: Legacy mode, Mixed Mode and Green Field Mode.
In legacy mode and HT mode transmission over a 20MHz channel, the channel is divided into 64 sub-carriers. 4 pilot signals are inserted in sub-carriers -21, -7, 7 and
21. In the legacy mode, signal is transmitted on sub-carriers -26 to -1 and 1 to 26, with 0 being the center (DC) carrier. In the HT modes signal is transmitted on sub-
carriers -28 to -1 and 1 to 28.
In the 40MHz HT transmission, two adjacent 20MHz channels are used. The channel is divided into 128 sub-carriers. 6 pilot signals are inserted in sub-carriers -53, -25,
-11, 11, 25, 53. Signal is transmitted on sub-carriers -58 to -2 and 2 to 58.
In the case of the legacy duplicate mode over 40MHz, the same data are transmitted over two adjacent 20MHz channels. In this case the 40MHz channel is divided into
128 sub-carriers and the data are transmitted on carriers -58 to -6 and 6 to 58.
Legacy Mode
In the legacy mode, frames are transmitted in the legacy 802.11a/g OFDM format.

Figure 1. 80211n WLAN frame, Legacy Mode.

Mixed Mode
In the Mixed Mode, packets are transmitted with a preamble compatible with the legacy 802.11a/g. The legacy Short Training Sequence, the legacy Long Training
sequence and the legacy signal description are transmitted so they can be decoded by legacy 802.11a/g devices. The rest of the packet has a new MIMO training

https://rfmw.em.keysight.com/wireless/helpfiles/n7617a/mimo_ofdm_signal_structure.htm 1/2
2023/11/1 16:30 802.11n OFDM Signal Structure
sequence format. Figure 2 shows the Mixed Mode format. Click the various parts of the figure for more details on each field.

Figure 2. WLAN frame modifications to allow for MIMO operation, Mixed Mode
Green Field Mode
In the Green Field mode, high throughput packets are transmitted without a legacy compatible part. Figure 2 shows the Green Field format. Click the various parts of the
figure for more details on each field.

Figure 3. 802.11n WLAN frame, Green Field.

https://rfmw.em.keysight.com/wireless/helpfiles/n7617a/mimo_ofdm_signal_structure.htm 2/2