Chapter 2 - Inter Frame Space (IFS)

Shortest to Longest: RIFS, SIFS, PIFS, DIFS, AIFS, EIFS

Mnemonic to help remember: Really Super Powerful Dog Ate Everything

***EXAM*** The above (Shortest to longest) could be on the exam. The below are notes from my CWDP notes

SIFS (Shortest Inter Frame Space) - Used with all of the coordination functions. SIFS is the shortest of the IFS for 802.11-2007. Used prior to ACK and CTS frames. As well as in between MPDU's of a fragment burst. For 802.11n a shorter IFS (RIFS) was introduced.

RIFS (Reduced Inter Frame Space) - Introduced with 802.11n to help improve efficiency for transmissions that do not require a SIFS to a single receiver. Such as a transmission burst (CFB-Contention Free Burst.) 802.11n uses RIFS and Block ACK. RIFS is *only* used when Block ACK is enabled. When Block ACK are used data frames of a CFB can be sent continuously without stopping for an ACK. At the end of the CFB, the TX STA will send a BAR (Block ACK Request) and will/should receive a single Block ACK (BA)

DIFS (Distributed Inter Frame Space) - When a STA wants to transmit a data frame (MPDU) or a management frame (MMPDU) for the first time in a DCF (Distributed Coordination Function) network, the duration of the DIFS must be observed after the previous frames completion. DIFS are longer than SIFS and PIFS.

DIFS = SIFS + 2x SlotTime

SlotTime for 802.11a/n/ac (5 GHz) = 9μS

SlotTime for 802.11g/n (2.4 GHz – HT or ERP) = 9μS with short preamble

SlotTime for 802.11g/n (2.4 GHz – HT or ERP) = 20μS with long preamble

SlotTime for 802.11b/g/n (2.4 GHz – DSS ) = 20μS

EIFS (Extended Inter Frame Space) - EIFS are used by STA's that have received a frame that contained errors. By using the longer IFS, the transmitting station will have enough time to recognize the frame was no received correctly before the receiving station commences transmission. If, during the EIFS duration the STA receives a frame correctly (regardless of intended recipient), it will resume using DIFS or AIFS, as appropriate. 

 - EIFS does Have a drawback. STA's near to the AP can cause problems for STA's further away from the AP. This is because STA's close to the AP are using higher data rates, and as such higher modulation mechanisms. The STA's further away cannot demodulate these, and due to this interpret it as a corrupted frame. Making it stay quiet for the EIFS. Providing the near STA's to use DIFS or AIFS and giving it priority and getting more opportunity to transmit while the far station will remain quiet.

EIFS (in DCF) = SIFS + DIFS + ACK_Tx_Time

EIFS 802.11b/g/n devices using DSS = 364μS

EIFS 802.11g/n devices using OFDM = 160μS

EIFS 802.11a/n devices (5GHz) = 160μS

EIFS (in EDCA) = SIFS + AIFS[AC] + ACK_Tx_Time

AIFS (Arbitration Inter Frame Space) - The AIFS shall be used by QoS STAs to transmit all data frames (MPDUs), all management frames (MMPDUs), and the following control frames: PS-Poll, RTS, CTS (when not transmitted as a response to the RTS), BlockAckReq, and BlockAck (when not transmitted as a response to the BlockAckReq).

The number of slot times used in the AIFS is called the Arbitration Inter Frame Space Number (AIFSN). 802.11e specifies 4 access categories (AV_VO : Voice, AC_VI : Video, AC_BE : Best Effort & AC_BK : Background). Voice & Videocategory use 2 slottimes by default. Best Effort category use 3 slottimes where as Background traffic use 7 slottimes by default.

Below is the formula to calcluate AIFS for a given Access Category (AC)

AIFS[AC] = AIFSN[AC] × SlotTime + SIFSTime