This report addresses recent or soon coming enhancements in one of the most established and powerful wireless technology - Wi-Fi. Originated in the 20s century, this WLAN family belongs to a very small group of communications technologies that does not getting obsolete with time. <>The family continues to grow adding new members that bring WLAN to the forefront of today innovations in communications with multiple applications and pushing up the limits in performance. Wi-Fi will support and strengthen 5G networks making them more flexible and efficient.
The report goal is to analyze recently introduced or still in the development advanced Wi-Fi technologies, their applications and marketplace. It also surveys related industries.
In particular, it addresses such developments as:
- 1. 802.11n. The technology already produced a multi-billion market, improving such communications characteristics as the rate of transmission, coverage and other. It significantly increased the spectrum of Wi-Fi applications. In recent years, 802.11n products dominated the Wi-Fi market; but this technology is gradually losing its leading position to newer members of the Wi-Fi family, such as:
- 2. 60 GHz Wi-Fi - 802.11ad. This is the Wi-Fi industry response on the users' new requirements to support gigabits per second transmission rates over shorter ranges for such applications as a home/office distribution of HDVD and similar bandwidth-hunger applications. The report addresses specifics of 60 GHz channels and details WiGig/802.11ad technology. It also introduces the NG 60 GHz 802.11ay standard.
- 3. White Spaces Wi-Fi (White Wi-Fi - 802.11af). This technology allows utilizing the property of sub-gigahertz transmission together with Wi-Fi advances. It utilizes unused windows of the TV spectrum and will work with Cognitive Radios.
- 4. Sub - 6 GHz Wi-Fi - 802.11ac. This development allows gigabits per second speed and improves characteristics of IEEE 802.11n technology in wide spectrum of characteristics.
- 5. Sub - 1 GHz Wi-Fi (excluding White Spaces) - 802.11ah.
- 6. IEEE standard in the development: P802.11ax, which stretches Wi-Fi characteristics beyond imaginable just a few years ago.
- 7. WAVE 802.11p - Dedicated Short Reach Communications 5.9 GHz - contribution of Wi-Fi to the development of the connected car.
The report details technical and marketing specifics of these types of WLAN technologies as well as surveys their industries and shows that Wi-Fi 6 is ready to meet some 5G requirements.
The report was developed for technical and managerial personnel working on the Wi-Fi related projects to give them better understanding specifics of this family technologies and markets.
The report also includes the survey of Wi-Fi technologies related patents for 2016-2019.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Wi-Fi Alliance
- 1.2 Elements
- 1.3 Legacy Wi-Fi
- 1.3.1 802.11b
- 1.3.1.1 Characteristics
- 1.3.1.2 Physical Layer
- 1.3.1.3 Data Link Layer
- 1.3.2 Family - First Members
- 1.3.2.1 802.11a
- 1.3.2.2 802.11g
- 1.4 Report Scope
- 1.5 Details
- 1.6 Research Methodology
- 1.7 Target Audience
2.0 IEEE 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4)
- 2.1 Process
- 2.1.1 Environment
- 2.1.2 Draft v. 1.0
- 2.1.3 Draft v. 2.0
- 2.1.4 Further Developments and IEEE Approval
- 2.2 Certification Process
- 2.3 802.11n Technology Specifics
- 2.3.1 Advances
- 2.3.1.1 MIMO
- 2.3.1.2 Spatial Division Multiplexing
- 2.3.1.3 OFDM
- 2.3.1.4 Channel Bonding
- 2.3.1.5 Packet Aggregation
- 2.3.2 PHY and MAC
- 2.4 Major Features: Summary
- 2.4.1 Specifics
- 2.4.2 Channel Bandwidth
- 2.4.3 Backward Compatibility
- 2.4.4 Adaptation
- 2.4.5 Security
- 2.4.6 Enhancements: Summary
- 2.5 Benefits and Applications
- 2.5.1 Benefits
- 2.5.2 Applications
- 2.6 Market
- 2.6.1 Drivers
- 2.6.2 Market Forecast
- 2.6.2.1 Model Assumptions
- 2.6.2.2 Forecast
- 2.7 Industry
- Aruba-HP (APs)
- Broadcom (Chipsets)
- Cisco (APs)
- Netgear (Routers, APs)
- Redpine Signals (Chipsets)
- Qualcomm (Chipsets, AP)
- Quantenna - On Semiconductor (chipsets)
- TP-Link
- ZyXel (AP, Router, WUSB)
3.0 IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
- 3.1 General - Improving 802.11n Characteristics
- 3.2 Approval
- 3.3 Major Features
- 3.4 Benefits
- 3.5 Usage Models
- 3.6 PHY
- 3.7 MAC Improvements
- 3.8 Waves
- 3.9 MIMO and 802.11ac Standard
- 3.10 Industry
- Broadcom
- Buffalo
- D-Link
- Huawei
- Linksys
- Marvell
- Netgear
- Qorvo
- Quantenna (A division of On Semiconductor)
- Redpine Signals
4.0 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
- 4.1 Scope
- 4.1.1 Initiation
- 4.1.2 Structure
- 4.1.3 Enhancements
- 4.2 Industry
- Aruba (a HP Enterprise Company)
- Asus
- Broadcom
- Extreme Networks
- Huawei
- Intel
- Marvell
- Qualcomm
- 4.3 Wi-Fi in 6 GHz Band - Wi-Fi 6E
5.0 60 GHz Wi-Fi
- 5.1 Goal
- 5.2 General
- 5.3 60 GHz Band Spectrum Specifics
- 5.3.1 Frequencies Allocation
- 5.3.2 Oxygen Absorption
- 5.4 Antenna
- 5.5 Radiation Limitations at 60 GHz
- 5.6 Combined Effect
- 5.7 Progress in Chip Technology
- 5.7.1 Challenges and Efforts
- 5.7.2 Modulation
- 5.8 Summary
- 5.9 60 GHz WLAN
- 5.9.1 Benefits and Issues
- 5.9.2 WiGig Alliance
- 5.9.2.1 Specification: 60 GHz Wi-Fi
- 5.9.2.2 WiGig Protocol Adaption Layer Specifications
- 5.9.2.3 The WiGig Bus Extension and WiGig Serial Extension Specification
- 5.9.2.4 The WiGig Display Extension Specification
- 5.9.2.5 Union
- 5.9.3 IEEE 802.11ad - 60 GHz Wi-Fi
- 5.9.3.1 Status
- 5.9.3.2 Coexistence
- 5.9.3.3 Scope
- 5.9.3.4 Channelization
- 5.9.3.5 PHY
- 5.9.3.6 MAC
- 5.9.3.7 Specifics
- 3.9.3.8 Use Cases
- 5.9.4 Industry
- Blu Wireless
- Intel
- Lattice
- Peraso
- Qualcomm
- Tensorcom
- TP-Link
- 5.9.5 Market
- 5.9.5.1 Market Drivers
- 5.9.5.2 Usage Models
- 5.9.5.3 Market Estimate
- 5.10 P802.11ay - Next Generation 60 GHz Wi-Fi
- 5.10.1 Purpose and Schedule
- 5.10.2 Scope
- 5.10.3 Details
- 5.10.3.1 Channel Bonding and Aggregation
- 5.10.3.2 IEEE 802.11ay Physical Layer
- 5.10.3 Industry
6.0 White-Fi
- 6.1 White Spaces
- 6.1.1 General
- 6.1.2 Digital Revolution
- 6.1.3 Factors
- 6.1.4 FCC Activity
- 6.1.4.1 Super Wi-Fi Hot Spots
- 6.1.4.2 Role of Database
- 6.1.4.3 Specifics
- 6.1.4.3.1 TV Spectrum Utilization
- 6.1.4.4 TVBD - Details
- 6.1.4.5 First Network
- 6.1.4.6 Use Cases
- 6.1.4.7 Latest FCC Decisions
- 6.2 Industry Activity - Dynamic Spectrum Alliance
- 6.3 IEEE Contributions
- 6.3.1 IEEE 802.11af
- 6.3.1.1 General: Expectations - White-Fi
- 6.3.1.2 Differences
- 6.3.1.3 Benefits
- 6.3.1.4 Specifics
- 6.3.1.4.1 Methods
- 6.3.1.4.2 Main Principles
- 6.3.1.4.3 PHY
- 6.3.1.5 Architecture
- 6.3.1.6 Market
- 6.3.1.7 Vendors
- Aviacomm
- Carlson Wireless
- 6.3.1.8 White Space Alliance
7.0 802.11ah (Wi-Fi HaLow)
- 7.1 General
- 7.2 Goal and Schedule
- 7.3 Attributes
- 7.4 Use Cases
- 7.5 PHY
- 7.5.1 Bandwidth
- 7.5.2 Channelization
- 7.5.3 Transmission Modes and MIMO
- 7.6 MAC Layer
- 7.7 Summary
- 7.8 Vendors
- Aviacomm- Newracom
- Morse Micro
- Orca
- Silex
8.0 IEEE 802.11p
- 8.1 General
- 8.2 Objectives and Status
- 8.3 IEEE 802.11p - Major Features
- 8.4 ETSI ITS-G5 - Major Features
- 8.5 ASTM Contributions
- 8.6 Industry
- Autotalks
- Commsignia
- Cohda Wireless
- Kapsch
- NXP
- Qorvo
9.0 Wi-Fi Direct
- 9.1 Overview
- 9.2 Major Properties
10.0 Wi-Fi Aware
11.0 P802.11az
12.0 P802.11be (Wi-Fi 7)
- 12.1 Background
- 12.2 Scope
- 12.3 Schedule
- 12.4 Candidate Features
13.0 P802.11bd
- 13.1 Title
- 13.2 Preliminary Schedule
- 13.3 Scope
- 13.4 Demand for Project
- 13.4.1 Current situation
- 13.4.2 Enhanced DSRC
14.0 P802.11bb
- 14.1 General
- 14.2 Time Frame
- 14.3 Scope
15.0 Conclusions
Attachment I: 802.11ah - related Patents Survey (2018-2021)
Attachment II: 802.11ad - related Patents Survey (2018-2021)
Attachment III: 802.11ax - related Patents Survey (2018-2021)
Attachment IV: 802.11ay - related Patents Survey (2018-2021)
Attachment V: 802.11af - related Patents Survey (2018-2021)
Attachment VI: 802.11p - related Patents Survey (2018-2021)
List of Figures
- Figure 1: OSI and 802.11
- Figure 2: 802.11n MAC
- Figure 3: 802.11 Protocol Family MAC Frame Structure
- Figure 4: Estimate: Global Sales - 802.11n Chipsets ($B)
- Figure 5: Estimate: Global Sales - 802.11n Chipsets (Bill. Units)
- Figure 6: 802.11n Market Geography
- Figure 7: Channel Assignment
- Figure 8: MU-MIMO (DL)
- Figure 9: 802.11n vs. 802.11ac
- Figure 10: Time Schedule
- Figure 11: 60 GHz Connections
- Figure 12: 60 GHz Band - Frequencies Plan
- Figure 13: Signal Attenuation in 60 GHz Band
- Figure 14: Absorption Details
- Figure 15: Bands Features Comparison
- Figure 16: 802.11ad MAC
- Figure 17: Estimate: 802.11ad Chipsets Shipping - Global (Bil. Units)
- Figure 18: Estimate: 802.11ad Chipsets Global Shipping ($B)
- Figure 19: TVWS Channels
- Figure 20: 802.11af Network Setup
- Figure 21: Comparison
- Figure 22: Standardized Frequency Spectrum (sub-1 GHz)
- Figure 23: 802.11ah - Channelization Plan in U.S.
- Figure 24: Wave Protocol Suite
- Figure 25: Wave Applications and Channel Assignment
- Figure 26: Preliminary Work Schedule - 802.11be
List of Tables
- Table 1: 802.11b Major Characteristics
- Table 2: Frequencies: 802.11b Channels (GHz)
- Table 3: 802.11a Modulation
- Table 4: 802.11g Characteristics
- Table 5: 802.11 Standards Characteristics - Draft 1.0
- Table 6: 802.11n PHY
- Table 7: Comparison: 802.11 Family Members Transfer Rates
- Table 8: 802.11n Enhancements
- Table 9: 802.11n Benefits
- Table 10: Comparative Characteristics - 802.11n and 802.11ac
- Table 11: Characteristics
- Table 12: Rates
- Table 13: Usage Models
- Table 14: Clients Scenarios
- Table 15: PHY Features
- Table 16: 60 GHz Short-reach Radio Standardization
- Table 17: Directivity: Beam Width for 1-foot antennas
- Table 18: 60 GHz Links Characteristics
- Table 19: 802.11ad Major Features
- Table 20: PHY
- Table 21: Use Cases - 802.11ad
- Table 22: TV Channels
- Table 23: IEEE WS-related Standards
- Table 24: 802.11ah Features Summary
- Table 25: Modulation
- Table 26: ETSI G5 Channels