802.11s MAC Timings
=========================


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        **What are MAC timings in 802.11s?**

        MAC timings define the time intervals and scheduling mechanisms used for transmitting and receiving frames within a mesh network.

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        **Why are MAC timings important in 802.11s?**

        They ensure orderly and collision-free communication between mesh points, improving reliability and efficiency.

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        **What timing parameters are defined in 802.11s MAC?**

        Parameters include interframe spaces (SIFS, DIFS), retransmission timers, and mesh peering timeouts.

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        **How does 802.11s handle retransmission timing?**

        The MAC layer uses backoff timers and retry intervals to manage frame retransmissions after collisions or losses.

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        **What is the role of SIFS in 802.11s MAC?**

        Short Interframe Space (SIFS) is used to separate transmissions of frames such as ACKs and CTS, ensuring quick response times.

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        **What timing is used for mesh peering management frames?**

        Mesh peering frames use specific timeout intervals to establish and maintain peering links reliably.

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        **How is collision avoidance timed in 802.11s?**

        The MAC uses Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) with randomized backoff intervals to minimize collisions.

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        **What is the backoff timer in 802.11s MAC?**

        It is a randomized timer that delays frame transmission to avoid simultaneous channel access by multiple mesh points.

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        **How does 802.11s MAC coordinate multicast frame timing?**

        Timing is adjusted to ensure reliable broadcast/multicast forwarding with minimal duplication.

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        **What timers are involved in link maintenance?**

        Link timers monitor the health of mesh links and trigger reconnection if timeouts occur.

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        **How are timing parameters adapted for different PHY layers?**

        MAC timings are adjusted based on the physical layer’s data rates and propagation delays.

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        **Does 802.11s use timing for power saving?**

        Yes, timings help coordinate low-power states and wake intervals for mesh devices.

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        **What is the timing for acknowledgement (ACK) frames?**

        ACK frames are expected within the SIFS interval after a data frame to confirm successful reception.

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        **How does timing affect mesh routing protocol (HWMP)?**

        HWMP relies on timing parameters to manage route discovery, path maintenance, and message retries.

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        **What is the impact of timing on throughput in 802.11s?**

        Proper timing reduces collisions and retransmissions, maximizing effective throughput.

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        **How does MAC timing handle hidden node problems?**

        Timing protocols like RTS/CTS help avoid collisions caused by hidden nodes by coordinating access timing.

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        **Are MAC timings fixed or adaptive in 802.11s?**

        Some timings are fixed by standard, while others adapt dynamically based on network conditions.

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        **How are timing conflicts resolved in the mesh network?**

        Backoff and randomization mechanisms help resolve simultaneous transmission attempts.

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        **What happens if MAC timing parameters are misconfigured?**

        Misconfiguration can lead to increased collisions, packet loss, and reduced mesh network performance.


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        Topics in this section,

                * :ref:`Reference links <mac_timings_s_step17>`


.. _mac_timings_s_step17:

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    .. tab-item:: Reference links

       * Reference links