Re: TSFT

On Fri, Nov 16, 2012 at 10:26:31PM -0800, Simon Barber wrote:
> This is the current definition of TSFT:
> 
> "Value in microseconds of the MAC's 64-bit 802.11 Time
> Synchronization Function timer when the first bit of the MPDU
> arrived at the MAC. For received frames only."
> 
> My experience with TSFT is with Atheros cards, which record the
> timestamp at the end of the frame, not the start.

Interesting.  Is it consistent across the whole Atheros product line?

> Furthermore for DSSS/CCK the definition above is reasonable, but for
> OFDM and HT (802.11n) the SIGNAL field (part of the PLCP header, not
> part of the MPDU) is part of the first data symbol. It would be much
> clearer to change the definition to state that the timestamp is at
> the start of this first SIGNAL/data symbol. Any objections to doing
> this, or preference to change the reference point to a different
> part of the frame?
> 
> In my wireshark patch I've added options to interpret TSFT as the
> start of end of the frame.

I think we need 1) a methodology for an author to identify their
device's reference point so that they can calibrate their driver to the
standard and/or 2) a radiotap datum that identifies the reference point
in use or 3) something entirely different.

Dave

-- 
David Young
[email protected]    Urbana, IL    (217) 721-9981