Basic Notes about IEEE 802.11
Overview
So I have gained an interest in 802.11 - or as they call it "Wireless Ethernet." Due to its history 802.11 did not deviate too far from 802's (dot)1, (dot)2 and (dot)3. In fact, it is an extension of traditional Ethernet networks at the access layer.
802.11 frames are wrapped around logical link control. It does introduce its own MAC defined by 802.11c and a physical layer split into two - PLCP and PMD or Physical Layer Convergence Procedure and Physical Medium Sub-Layer respectively.
The medium will be TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA or some other modulation mechanism between compatible (and willing) devices.
A Wireless Local Area Network is called a BSS or Basic Service Set. The most minimum BSS is an Access Point and a Station or:
AP ><— RF —>< Station
A BSS will broadcast an SSID (Service Set Identifier) which is a human-readable "BSS name." Two or more access points that share the same SSID and distribution infrastructure are called a ESS (E for Extended).
A station device will observe the broadcasted SSIDs and if the user desires to attempt to "connect" or associate with that Access Point. Association will involve some RF synchronization, key exchange, etc... Once connected, the AP will create a network bridge with the station.