Extended Wi-Fi Family - Technologies and Economics
This report addresses recent or planned enhancements to 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 do 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 (Wi-Fi 4). 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/ay. 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 (Wi-Fi 5). 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. 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), which stretches Wi-Fi characteristics beyond imaginable just a few years ago.
7. Wi-Fi 6E – 802.11ax in the 6 GHz band
8. WAVE 802.11p – Dedicated Short Reach Communications 5.9 GHz– contribution of Wi-Fi in the development of the connected car.
9. Other.
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; with incoming Wi-Fi 7 bringing even wider spectrum of advanced characteristics.
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 2018-2022.
- 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
- 1.3.3 WI-Fi Generations
- 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 (Routers)
- 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
- 3.9.1 Comparison
- 3.10 Industry
- Broadcom
- Buffalo
- D-Link
- Huawei
- Linksys
- Marvell
- MediaTek
- Netgear
- Qorvo
- Quantenna (A division of On Semiconductor)
- Redpine Signals
- 3.11 Market
- 4.0 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
- 4.1 Scope
- 4.1.1 Initiation
- 4.1.2 Structure
- 4.1.3 Enhancements
- 4.1.3.1 Role of MU MIMO
- 4.2 Marketing Considerations
- 4.3 Industry
- Aruba (a HP Enterprise Company)
- Asus
- Broadcom
- Extreme Networks
- Huawei
- Intel
- Marvell
- Qualcomm
- 4.4 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
- 5.10 802.11ay – 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
- 5.10.4 Industry
- Blu Wireless
- Cambium Networks
- IgniteNet
- Qualcomm
- 5.10.5 60GHz Wi-Fi Market Considerations
- 5.10.5.1 Market Drivers
- 5.10.5.2 Usage Models
- 5.10.5.3 Market Estimate
- 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
- 11.1 General
- 11.2 Details
- 11.3 Benefits
- 12.0 P802.11be (Wi-Fi 7)
- 12.1 Background
- 12.2 Scope
- 12.3 Schedule
- 12.4 Candidate Features
- 12.5 First demonstration
- 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
- 13.4.3 PHY and MAC Summary
- 14.0 P802.11bb
- 14.1 General
- 14.2 Time Frame
- 14.3 Scope
- 15.0 Conclusions
- Attachment I: 802.11ah – related Patents Survey (2018-2023)
- Attachment II: 802.11ad – related Patents Survey (2018-2023)
- Attachment III: 802.11ax – related Patents Survey (2018-2023)
- Attachment IV: 802.11ay – related Patents Survey (2018-2023)
- Attachment V: 802.11af – related Patents Survey (2018-2023)
- Attachment VI: 802.11p – related Patents Survey (2018-2023)
- 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 ($B)
- Figure 5: Estimate: Global Sales – 802.11n Chipsets (Bil. Units)
- Figure 6: 802.11n Market Geography
- Figure 7: Channel Assignment
- Figure 8: MU-MIMO (DL)
- Figure 9: 802.11n vs. 802.11ac
- Figure 10: Estimate – Global Sales – 802.11ac Chipsets ($B)
- Figure 11: Estimate – Global Sales – 802.11ac Chipsets (Bil. Units)
- Figure 12: Estimate - Global Sales – 802.11 6/6E Chipsets ($B)
- Figure 13: Estimate – Global Sales – 802.11 6/6E (Bil. Units)
- Figure 14: 60 GHz Connections
- Figure 15: 60 GHz Band - Frequencies Plan
- Figure 16: Signal Attenuation in 60 GHz Band
- Figure 17: Absorption Details
- Figure 18: Bands Features Comparison
- Figure 19: 802.11ad MAC
- Figure 20: Estimate: 60 GHz Wi-Fi Chipsets Sales – Global (Bil. Units)
- Figure 21: Estimate: 60 GHz Wi-Fi Chipsets Sales – Global ($B)
- Figure 22: Designated Channels
- Figure 23: 802.11af Network Setup
- Figure 24: Comparison
- Figure 25: Standardized Frequency Spectrum (sub-1 GHz)
- Figure 26: 802.11ah – Channelization Plan in U.S.
- Figure 27: Wave Protocol Suite
- Figure 28: Wave Applications and Channel Assignment
- Figure 29: Preliminary Work Schedule - 802.11be
- 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 Characteristics
- 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: 802.11ac Characteristics
- Table 12: Rates
- Table 13: Usage Models
- Table 14: Clients Scenarios
- Table 15: PHY Features
- Table 16: 802.11ac Waves
- Table 17: Characteristics – 802.11ac vs 802.11ax
- Table 18: 60 GHz Short-reach Radio Standardization
- Table 19: Directivity: Beam Width for 1-foot antennas
- Table 20: 60 GHz Links Characteristics
- Table 21: 802.11ad Major Features
- Table 22: PHY-802.11ad
- Table 23: Use Cases – 802.11ad
- Table 24: Time Schedule
- Table 25: 60 GHz Wi-Fi Usage Cases
- Table 26: TV Channels (U.S.)
- Table 27: IEEE WS-related Standards
- Table 28: 802.11ah Features Summary
- Table 29: Modulation
- Table 30: ETSI G5 Channels
- Table 31: 802.11be Features
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