IEEE 802.15.4a-2007

802.15.4a-2007 is a wireless networking standard amendment for low-rate WPANs, adding alternate PHYs to the 802.15.4 family. It is focused on the Wireless Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) specifications used in communication, networking, and broadcast technologies. As a superseded technical document, it remains useful for understanding legacy design choices, device compatibility, and historical compliance requirements in short-range wireless systems.

802.15.4a-2007 overview

This standard defines an amendment to Part 15.4 of the low-rate wireless personal area network framework, extending the PHY options available alongside the MAC layer. In practice, 802.15.4a-2007 helps describe how alternate physical-layer approaches fit within a WPAN architecture that supports short-range, low-power communication. For engineers and procurement teams, it provides a reference point for evaluating legacy devices, interface behavior, and technical alignment within the 802.15.4 ecosystem.

Typical use cases

The scope of 802.15.4a-2007 is most relevant where low-rate WPAN devices need alternate PHY behavior within the broader 802.15.4 framework. That can include short-range sensor nodes, embedded radio modules, and other communication equipment built for low-power networking. It is also useful when reviewing legacy wireless products, comparing alternate PHY implementations, or checking documentation for systems that rely on amendment-based compatibility rather than the base standard alone.

Why this standard matters

Using 802.15.4a-2007 as a reference can help reduce ambiguity in design, testing, and product selection for low-rate wireless devices. It clarifies the amended PHY context for implementations that need to align with the 802.15.4 family, which supports more consistent compliance reviews and technical comparisons. Because it is superseded, it is especially valuable for legacy support, specification traceability, and understanding how alternate PHY requirements were documented at the time.

• Amendment to 802.15.4
• Alternate PHY specifications
• Low-rate WPAN context
• MAC and PHY alignment
• Superseded reference document