3. IEEE 802.11 standard

The IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) standard [TE 7 375] was designed to provide an equivalent to Ethernet, using a wireless medium while taking into account the many specific features of a wireless medium. As terminal antennas are not directional, the radio medium is perceived as broadcasting. In other words, it's not possible to deliberately isolate the different links in a wireless network as you would in a switched Ethernet network.

When a terminal transmits a frame, the resulting signal propagates through the surrounding air, reaching all terminals within transmission...