IEEE Std 802.15.4?-2003

802.15.4TM IEEE Standard for Information technology— Telecommunications and information
exchange between systems— Local and metropolitan area networks— Specific requirements
Part 15.4: Wireless Medium Access
Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)
Specifications for Low-Rate Wireless
Personal Area Networks (LR-WPANs)

Introduction
(This introduction is not part of IEEE Std 802.15.4-2003, IEEE Standard for Information technology—
Telecommunications and information exchange between systems—Local and metropolitan area networks—Specific
requirements—Part 15.4: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications for
Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (LR-WPANS).)
IEEE Std 802.15.4-2003
This standard defines the protocol and interconnection of devices via radio communication in a personal
area network (PAN). The standard uses carrier sense multiple access with a collision avoidance medium
access mechanism and supports star as well as peer-to-peer topologies. The media access is contention
based; however, using the optional superframe structure, time slots can be allocated by the PAN coordinator
to devices with time critical data. Connectivity to higher performance networks is provided through a PAN
coordinator.
This standard specifies two PHYs: an 868/915 MHz direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) PHY and
a 2450 MHz DSSS PHY. The 2450 MHz PHY supports an over-the-air data rate of 250 kb/s, and the
868/915 MHz PHY supports over-the-air data rates of 20 kb/s and 40 kb/s. The PHY chosen depends
on local regulations and user preference.
This standard contains state-of-the-art material. The area covered by this standard is undergoing evolution.
Revisions are anticipated to this standard within the next few years to clarify existing material, to correct
possible errors, and to incorporate new related material. Details on the contents of this standard are provided
on the following pages. Information on the current revision state of this and other IEEE 802? standards may
be obtained from:
Secretary, IEEE-SA Standards Board