What transmission method is common to both the 802.11g and 802.11n standards?

The correct answer is OFDM, which stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing. Both the 802.11g and 802.11n wireless standards employ OFDM as a key technique for data transmission. OFDM allows for the splitting of a high data rate signal into multiple lower data rate sub-signals that are transmitted simultaneously over different frequencies. This is particularly advantageous in wireless communications because it helps to increase data rates and improves resistance to interference and multipath fading.

In 802.11g, OFDM is utilized to achieve higher throughput while still ensuring compatibility with earlier standards. The 802.11n standard builds on this by enhancing the OFDM technology, allowing for increased channel bonding and higher data rates through spatial multiplexing and MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) techniques, but the fundamental use of OFDM for transmission remains central to both standards.

The other transmission methods mentioned, such as FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) and DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum), are not employed in the same way by both standards. While DSSS is used in the earlier 802.11b standard, it is not part of the 802.11g framework. OFDMA, which is more advanced and utilized in