Wi-Fi has at all times been a numbers recreation. Each Wi-Fi customary derives from the IEEE 802.11 working group, every with a special suffix that corresponds to its respective shorthand title. As we speak’s commonest Wi-Fi requirements embrace Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-fi networking distributors tout the massive throughput numbers every customary can allow. Nonetheless, those that work in wi-fi networking, particularly Wi-Fi, know the fact tells a special story. Every customary differs from the final, even when they share the identical working group. It is typically troublesome to maintain all of them straight, however it’s a great begin to outline the fundamentals.
Wi-Fi 6 and 6E
Each Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E share the identical Wi-Fi customary: 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 customary introduced the 6 GHz spectrum to Wi-Fi after the FCC accepted 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 customary Wi-Fi 6E.
As a result of each Wi-Fi sorts share the identical customary, they’ve the identical important function set. Capabilities of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E embrace the next:
- 160 MHz vast channels. Essentially the most used widths in all bands are 20 MHz and 40 MHz. Nonetheless, the 6 GHz spectrum makes use of 80 MHz the place precision designs are in play. Solely uncommon environments assist 160 MHz vast channels — and solely in 6 GHz.
- Orthogonal frequency division a number of entry (OFDMA). OFDMA presents 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 correct traits to make use of the higher-speed function 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 customary, 802.11be — also called Wi-Fi 7 — operates on the identical spectrum bands as Wi-Fi 6E: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz. As with all earlier wi-fi customary, Wi-Fi 7 contains new options that promise greater efficiency on a well-designed community freed from interference.
New options Wi-Fi 7 presents embrace the next:
- Channel widths as much as 320 MHz within the 6 GHz spectrum. The very best throughput estimates want 320 MHz vast channels. Nonetheless, this most throughput is extra theoretical, as limitations of 6 GHz will make it exhausting to maintain these speeds realistically.
- 4096 QAM. When achievable, 4096 QAM modulation packs 4 instances the quantity of knowledge into every transmitted sign in comparison with Wi-Fi 6’s most 256 QAM. Vendor messaging would possibly make it appear to be 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 circumstances.
- Multi-link operation (MLO). MLO allows simultaneous communication between consumer units and entry factors (APs) on a number of frequency bands for greater combination information charges. Nonetheless, it is unclear how viable this will probably be over time, as a tool’s skill to assist MLO is dependent upon its {hardware} specs.
A strong wi-fi design is crucial for all Wi-Fi requirements to carry out to their potential. Increased 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 units have fewer antennas, consumer capabilities are much less in networks with primarily cellular units, akin to telephones and tablets, than in networks with bigger units, like laptops.
Wi-Fi 6 promised max speeds of as much as 10 Gbps, whereas Wi-Fi 7 touts theoretical speeds above 40 Gbps. Nonetheless, real-world conditions aren’t prone to obtain these values. Most consumer units will not see these speeds within the community atmosphere, 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 provide totally different capabilities.
The important thing distinction between Wi-Fi 6 and 6E is the efficiency increase Wi-Fi 6E presents over Wi-Fi 6. Amongst different efficiency advantages, Wi-Fi 6E’s enhancements allow it to offer sooner speeds, decrease latency and extra capability over Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 7 builds upon this additional with the 802.11be customary, which delivers enhancements to assist 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 customary |
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 charge (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.
