IEEE 802.11a specifies the operation of wireless LANs in the 5-GHz frequency band (5.15 GHz to 5.75 GHz) with datarates of up to 54 Mbps. Actual throughput depends on the distance and the quality of the connection. With longer distances and lower connection quality datarates sink to 48 Mbps, thereafter to 36 Mbps and so on until a minimum of 6 Mbps is reached. The range of transmission in the open can reach up to 125m. Inside of buildings this would typically be 25m. The IEEE 802.11a standard operates with OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing).
OFDM is a modulation technique that uses multiple carrier frequencies to form the data signal. The technique modulates these carrier frequencies with a reduced datarate. OFDM is highly resistant to the effects of echos and other impairments, and it enables higher datarates.
In ’Turbo Mode’ LANCOM Router base stations can use two radio channels simultaneously to increase datarates to a maximum of 108 Mbps. Turbo mode works with the IEEE 802.11a standard between LANCOM base stations and AirLancer wireless network cards. This increase in datarate must be activated in the base station. This can cause a reduction in transmitting power and range.