The world of consumer tech owes a lot to Wi-Fi connectivity. It has revolutionized the way we use our mobile devices and smart home appliances, enabling seamless streaming and global internet access. In his new book, “Beyond Everywhere: How Wi-Fi Became the World’s Most Beloved Technology,” Greg Ennis takes readers on a captivating journey through the origins of this ubiquitous technology. He recounts the intense final days of pitching and presentations that led to the adoption of their candidate protocol by the IEEE 802.11 Wireless LAN standards committee. Ennis also explores the influential role of Bob Metcalf, the inventor of Ethernet and founder of 3Com, in the emergence of Wi-Fi.
The process for finalizing the MAC sections of the standard involved filling in gaps and developing draft versions. Ennis and Bob O’Hara served as Technical Editors for the entire standard and worked tirelessly on refining the language. Despite the changes made to the packet formats and algorithmic language, the conceptual framework of the DFWMAC protocol remained intact and continues to form the foundation of Wi-Fi even today.
During this time, advancements in radio communications theory and circuit design presented the possibility of achieving higher speeds beyond the 2-megabit maximum outlined in the draft standard. Many companies in the industry were already exploring faster speeds before the formal adoption of the original standard in 1997. The industry’s desire for speeds comparable to standard Ethernet, around 10 megabits, drove the pursuit of faster wireless LANs.
Specifically, the need for faster speeds came from the “horizontal” market, which focused on wireless connectivity for general-purpose computers. The predominantly Ethernet-based office automation market, where PCs were connected to shared printers and file servers, necessitated faster speeds. While the “vertical” applications, such as Symbol’s handheld barcode scanners for inventory management, did not require such high speeds.
Bob Metcalf, known for his contributions to the computer industry, played a crucial role in our Wi-Fi story. He co-invented Ethernet and introduced Metcalf’s Law, which states that the value of a communication technology is proportional to the square of the number of connected devices. Metcalf’s company, 3Com, enters the picture as a catalyst for the development of Wi-Fi. Despite Metcalf’s initial skepticism towards wireless LANs, his absence from 3Com management in 1996 allowed the company to become a major player in the Wi-Fi market.
3Com’s strategy for wireless LANs was closely watched as it would significantly impact the market. As a leading Ethernet company with a customer base accustomed to 10-megabit speeds, 3Com’s decision to enter the wireless world hinged on the availability of faster speeds. Jeff Abramowitz, a talented business development specialist, took on the task of navigating 3Com through this decision-making process. His proposal for a high-speed version of 802.11, coined “Wireless Ethernet,” intrigued Ennis and led to a new project collaboration.
Working with 3Com on a high-speed version of 802.11 presented an exciting opportunity for Ennis and marked a significant milestone in the development of Wi-Fi.
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Deepak Sen is a tech enthusiast who covers the latest technological innovations, from AI to consumer gadgets. His articles provide readers with a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of technology.
