OFDM over IEEE 802.11b hardware for telemedical applications

Abstract

This paper presents an important modification on to the existing IEEE 802.11b standards. So far 802.11b modulated the input data-stream using BPSK or CCK. Unfortunately, and for the application of wireless medical videoconferencing, this was not sufficient as thick hospital walls created major reflections. Replacing CCK with OFDM modulation proved to be beneficiary for such environments. It allowed for the development of a wireless telemedical system targeted for high quality, real-time videoconferencing between doctors. The validity of this notion was proven shortly after, with the wide adoption of the IEEE 802.11g and a protocol that use OFDM as standard.