Wi-Fi has at all times been a numbers recreation. Each Wi-Fi commonplace derives from the IEEE 802.11 working group, every with a unique suffix that corresponds to its respective shorthand identify. At the moment’s most typical Wi-Fi requirements embody Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-fi networking distributors tout the massive throughput numbers every commonplace can allow. Nevertheless, those that work in wi-fi networking, particularly Wi-Fi, know the truth tells a unique story. Every commonplace differs from the final, even when they share the identical working group. It is typically troublesome to maintain all of them straight, but it surely’s a superb begin to outline the fundamentals.
Wi-Fi 6 and 6E
Each Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E share the identical Wi-Fi commonplace: 802.11ax. Within the early a part of the usual’s tenure, it solely operated on the two.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This early model of the usual is Wi-Fi 6. Later, the 802.11ax commonplace introduced the 6 GHz spectrum to Wi-Fi after the FCC accredited the 5.925 GHz to 7.125 GHz frequency vary for Wi-Fi use within the U.S. To distinguish 802.11ax earlier than 6 GHz from 802.11ax with 6 GHz, Wi-Fi Alliance — a nonprofit group that develops Wi-Fi — named the up to date commonplace Wi-Fi 6E.
As a result of each Wi-Fi sorts share the identical commonplace, they’ve the identical essential characteristic set. Capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E embody the next:
- 160 MHz extensive channels. Probably the most used widths in all bands are 20 MHz and 40 MHz. Nevertheless, the 6 GHz spectrum makes use of 80 MHz the place precision designs are in play. Solely uncommon environments help 160 MHz extensive channels — and solely in 6 GHz.
- Orthogonal frequency division a number of entry (OFDMA). OFDMA provides multiclient effectivity achieve in comparison with long-running single-device orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing.
- 1024 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). Wi-Fi 7 replaces 256 QAM with 1024 QAM. The upper modulation scheme allows sooner top-end information charges if a given state of affairs has the right traits to make use of the higher-speed characteristic units.
- Primary service set (BSS) coloring. BSS coloring helps Wi-Fi purchasers function extra effectively within the presence of a close-by wi-fi LAN (WLAN) with the identical frequencies.
Wi-Fi 7
The most recent IEEE wi-fi networking commonplace, 802.11be — also referred to as Wi-Fi 7 — operates on the identical spectrum bands as Wi-Fi 6E: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. As with every earlier wi-fi commonplace, Wi-Fi 7 consists of new options that promise greater efficiency on a well-designed community freed from interference.
New options Wi-Fi 7 provides embody the next:
- Channel widths as much as 320 MHz within the 6 GHz spectrum. The very best throughput estimates want 320 MHz extensive channels. Nevertheless, this most throughput is extra theoretical, as limitations of 6 GHz will make it arduous to maintain these speeds realistically.
- 4096 QAM. When achievable, 4096 QAM modulation packs 4 occasions the quantity of knowledge into every transmitted sign in comparison with Wi-Fi 6’s most 256 QAM. Vendor messaging may make it look like all Wi-Fi 7 connections use 4096 QAM, however this is not true. Most Wi-Fi 7 connections use lesser modulation schemes due to situational situations.
- Multi-link operation (MLO). MLO allows simultaneous communication between consumer gadgets and entry factors (APs) on a number of frequency bands for greater mixture information charges. Nevertheless, it is unclear how viable this shall be over time, as a tool’s capacity to help MLO will depend on its {hardware} specs.
A stable wi-fi design is crucial for all Wi-Fi requirements to carry out to their potential. Greater frequency indicators have a decreased usable vary on the similar output energy. This implies 6 GHz networks want extra APs than WLANs constructed on Wi-Fi 6 and earlier. As a result of smaller gadgets have fewer antennas, consumer capabilities are much less in networks with primarily cellular gadgets, comparable to telephones and tablets, than in networks with bigger gadgets, like laptops.
Wi-Fi 6 promised max speeds of as much as 10 Gbps, whereas Wi-Fi 7 touts theoretical speeds above 40 Gbps. Nevertheless, real-world conditions aren’t more likely to obtain these values. Most consumer gadgets will not see these speeds within the community setting, which solely provides to the inevitable fog that’s a part of fashionable Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E vs. Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are the three most up-to-date forms of Wi-Fi expertise. Though the three requirements have some traits in widespread — for instance, all three use the WPA3 protocol for safety — they every supply completely different capabilities.
The important thing distinction between Wi-Fi 6 and 6E is the efficiency increase Wi-Fi 6E provides over Wi-Fi 6. Amongst different efficiency advantages, Wi-Fi 6E’s enhancements allow it to supply sooner speeds, decrease latency and extra capability over Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 7 builds upon this additional with the 802.11be commonplace, which delivers enhancements to help high-demand functions. The desk beneath compares Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.
| Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 | |
|
IEEE commonplace |
802.11ax |
802.11ax |
802.11be |
|
Spectrum (GHz) |
2.4, 5 |
2.4, 5, 6 |
2.4, 5, 6 |
|
Most spatial streams |
8 |
8 |
16 |
|
MLO |
No |
No |
Sure |
|
Most information price (theoretical) |
9.6 |
9.6 |
30+ |
|
Required safety |
WPA3 |
WPA3 |
WPA3 |
Lee Badman is a community architect specializing in wi-fi and cloud applied sciences for a big personal college. He is additionally an creator and frequent presenter at business occasions.
