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There are 15 different types of Data Frames defined in IEEE 802.11-2007 standard. Data frames with a value of 1 in the QoS subfield of the Subtype field (Bit7) are collectively referred to as QoS data frames. Each of these data subtypes contains QoS in their names, and this frame format is distinguished by the presence of a QoS Control field in the MAC header.

A QoS STA always uses QoS data frames for data transmissions to other QoS STAs. A QoS STA uses frames with the QoS subfield of the Subtype field set to 0 for data transmissions to non-QoS STAs. A non-QoS STA always uses frames with the QoS subfield of the Subtype field set to 0 (Bit7) for data transmissions to other STAs.

All STAs use frames with the QoS subfield of the Subtype field set to 0 (Bit7) for broadcast data frames unless a transmitting STA knows that all STAs in a BSS have QoS capability, in which case the transmitting STAs use QoS data frames.

All STAs use frames with the QoS subfield of the Subtype field set to 0 for group addressed data frames (ie multicast) unless it is known to the transmitter that all STAs in the BSS that are members of the multicast group have QoS capability, in which case STAs use QoS data frames.

Below table summarize all Data Frame types. Each bit of the Subtype field indicate different type of Data frames (eg Bit7=1 QoS , Bit6=1 Null frame, Bit5=1 CF-Poll  & Bit4=1 CF-ACK)

CWAP - Data Frame-01

In wireshark you can filter all Data frame using below filter (Type =2)

wlan.fc.type == 2

Data:
In Non-QoS  Data frames there is no QoS control field present in the MAC header. Below shows a simple data frame which you can filter using below ( Type 2 , subtype 0). In this frame To DS & From DS field set to 1 & therefore used 4 addresses field in MAC header (Typically all other scenarios, 3 addresses field use in MAC header)

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0020

CWAP - Data Frame-10Data + CF-ACK :

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0021

CWAP - Data Frame-11Data + CF-Poll :

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0022

CWAP - Data Frame-12

Data + CF-Ack + CF-Poll :

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0023

CWAP - Data Frame-13Null Data :
Here is a Null (no data frame). In this case this frame is used to indicate client is going to Power Save mode sending this to AP by the client ( Note that Power Mgmt bit set to 1 in Frame Control)

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0024

CWAP - Data Frame-14CF-ACK (no data):

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0025

CWAP - Data Frame-15CF-Poll (no data):

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0026

CWAP - Data Frame-16CF-ACK + CF-Poll (no data) :

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0027

CWAP - Data Frame-17QoS Data:
Here is a QoS Data frame Where subtype is 8. Note that QoS control field in the MAC header.

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x0028

CWAP - Data Frame-02QoS Data + CF-Poll:

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x002a

CWAP - Data Frame-03QoS Data + CF-ACK + CF-Poll:

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x002b

CWAP - Data Frame-04QoS Null Data :

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x002c

CWAP - Data Frame-05Rerved Data Frame:

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x002d

CWAP - Data Frame-06QoS Data + CF-Poll (no data):

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x002e

CWAP - Data Frame-07QoS CF-ACK + CF-Poll (no data):

wlan.fc.type_subtype == 0x002f

CWAP - Data Frame-08References
1. CWAP Official Study Guide – Chapter 6

Related Posts

1. 802.11 Management Frame Types
2. 802.11 Control Frame Types