In IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi) terminology, a station (STA) is a device that has the capability to use the 802.11 protocol. For example, a station may be a laptop, a desktop PC, PDA, access point or Wi-Fi phone. A STA may be fixed, mobile or portable. Generally in wireless networking terminology, a station, wireless client and node are often used interchangeably, and no strict distinction existing between these terms. With a station also being referred as transmitter or receiver based on its transmission characteristics. IEEE 802.11-2007 formally defines station as: Any device that contains an IEEE 802.11-conformant medium access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) interface to the wireless medium (WM).