802.11ac ============== .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: 802_11ac/802_11ac 802_11ac/mac_functions 802_11ac/mac_timings 802_11ac/packet_formats 802_11ac/power_save 802_11ac/interoperability 802_11ac/physical_rates 802_11ac/ppdu IEEE 802.11ac is a Wi-Fi standard that operates in the 5 GHz band, providing high-throughput wireless communication with wider channels, multiple spatial streams, and advanced modulation techniques. .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Category - Description - Use Case * - MAC Functions - Core MAC layer responsibilities like frame delimiting, addressing, error checking. - Managing wireless communication and reliable data delivery * - MAC Timings - Timing parameters like SIFS, DIFS, backoff timers controlling transmission. - Coordination of medium access and collision avoidance * - Packet Formats - Structure of 802.11ac frames including header, payload, and control frames. - Frame parsing and network management * - Power Save - Power saving mechanisms allowing devices to enter low power modes. - Extending battery life while maintaining connectivity * - Interoperability - Mechanisms for compatibility with other 802.11 standards and vendors. - Seamless multi-vendor and multi-standard network operation * - Physical Rates - Supported data rates and modulation schemes of 802.11ac. - Flexible throughput options and efficient spectrum use * - PPDU - Physical Protocol Data Unit format including preamble and data fields. - Synchronization and efficient data transmission .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ac MAC Functions **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ac (2013) **Main Features:** - Enhanced MAC layer for higher throughput and efficiency on 5 GHz band - Supports multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) for simultaneous data streams - Manages frame aggregation (A-MPDU and A-MSDU) for improved efficiency - Implements advanced error detection and retransmission techniques - Coordinates dynamic bandwidth management (20/40/80/160 MHz channels) - Works closely with Physical Layer enhancements for faster data rates **Use Cases:** - High-speed Wi-Fi for video streaming, gaming, and large file transfers - Managing multi-user wireless environments with high density - Enhancing quality of service (QoS) for latency-sensitive applications **Related Functions:** - Frame control with advanced aggregation and block acknowledgments - Sequence and power management optimized for high throughput - Advanced error correction and retransmission policies - Traffic differentiation and prioritization for QoS .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ac MAC Functions:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`mac_functions Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ac/mac_functions.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ac MAC Functions" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ac MAC Timings **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ac (2013) **Main Features:** - Defines precise timing parameters for high throughput frame exchanges - Includes enhanced Interframe Spaces (SIFS, DIFS, and extended AIFS) adapted for multi-user MIMO and frame aggregation - Specifies slot times and contention windows optimized for wider channel bandwidths (up to 160 MHz) - Ensures efficient collision avoidance with dynamic backoff adjustments - Manages timing for block acknowledgments and aggregated frame transmissions - Synchronizes MAC and PHY layers for improved efficiency in dense wireless environments **Use Cases:** - Coordinating transmissions in high-speed 5 GHz WLANs with MU-MIMO - Reducing collisions and optimizing throughput in multi-user scenarios - Supporting enhanced QoS for streaming, gaming, and low-latency applications **Related Timing Parameters:** - Short Interframe Space (SIFS) - Distributed Interframe Space (DIFS) - Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS) - Slot time and adaptive backoff timers .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ac MAC Timings:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`mac_timings Basic Setup on Ubuntu ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ac/mac_timings.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ac MAC Timings" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ac Packet Formats **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ac (2013) **Main Features:** - Defines the structure of MAC and PHY layer frames specific to 802.11ac - Supports enhanced frame formats for high throughput including aggregation (A-MPDU, A-MSDU) - Includes Frame Control, Duration, Address fields, Sequence Control, and CRC with added QoS support - Uses OFDM symbols with wider channel bandwidths (20, 40, 80, 160 MHz) at the PHY layer - Supports data frames, management frames, control frames, and block acknowledgments - Frame formats facilitate MU-MIMO and beamforming operations **Use Cases:** - Structuring wireless packets for high-speed 5 GHz WLANs with multi-user capabilities - Efficient data delivery using frame aggregation and block acknowledgments - Enabling interoperability and backward compatibility with legacy 802.11 standards **Related Frame Types:** - Management frames (e.g., Beacon, Probe Request) - Control frames (e.g., ACK, RTS, CTS) - Data frames with QoS and aggregation support .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ac Packet Formats:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`packet_formats Basic Setup on Ubuntu ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ac/packet_formats.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ac Packet Formats" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ac Power Saving **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ac (2013) **Main Features:** - Implements advanced Power Save Mode (PSM) for enhanced energy efficiency - Supports both legacy and modern sleep/wake mechanisms coordinated with AP - Uses Buffer Status Reports and Trigger frames to optimize power usage in MU-MIMO - Access Point buffers data and informs clients via TIM and DTIM elements - Enables Target Wake Time (TWT) scheduling for negotiated sleep intervals (introduced in 802.11ax but supported for compatibility) - Designed to extend battery life in high-throughput 5 GHz WLANs **Use Cases:** - Prolonging battery life of mobile devices in dense high-speed Wi-Fi environments - Reducing power consumption during idle or low traffic periods in MU-MIMO networks - Efficient power management for IoT devices leveraging 802.11ac **Related Mechanisms:** - Beacon frame scheduling and delivery indications - Trigger-based power save and wake notifications - Integration with MAC-layer power management protocols .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ac Power Saving mechanisms:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`power_save Basic Setup on Ubuntu ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ac/power_save.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ac Power Saving" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ac Interoperability **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ac (2013) **Main Features:** - Ensures compatibility between devices from various vendors operating in the 5 GHz band - Maintains backward compatibility with legacy 802.11a/n devices to support mixed networks - Defines standardized frame formats and signaling to enable seamless cross-vendor communication - Implements enhanced coexistence mechanisms for operation alongside other wireless standards - Supports clear channel assessment (CCA) and CSMA/CA for coordinated medium access - Uses uniform management and control frames for association, roaming, and handoff processes **Use Cases:** - Supporting multi-vendor Wi-Fi deployments in modern enterprise and consumer environments - Enabling seamless roaming and handoff between 802.11ac and legacy devices - Allowing coexistence with legacy 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks and other technologies **Related Mechanisms:** - Management frame interoperability - Backward compatibility procedures - Frequency and channel coordination - Standardized PHY and MAC layer protocols .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ac Interoperability mechanisms:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`interoperability Basic Setup on Ubuntu ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ac/interoperability.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ac Interoperability" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ac Physical Rates **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ac (2013) **Main Features:** - Supports data rates from 6.5 Mbps up to several Gbps (up to 6.93 Gbps in Wave 2) - Utilizes advanced modulation techniques including 256-QAM - Supports multiple spatial streams (up to 8 streams) with MIMO (Multi-User MIMO in Wave 2) - Employs channel bonding up to 160 MHz wide channels in the 5 GHz band - Adapts rates dynamically based on channel conditions and device capabilities - Enhances throughput and efficiency with higher modulation and coding schemes (MCS) **Use Cases:** - Ultra-high-speed wireless networking for HD video streaming, gaming, and large file transfers - Enterprise and carrier-grade Wi-Fi deployments requiring gigabit speeds - Backhaul links and dense device environments with enhanced spatial multiplexing **Related Concepts:** - Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS) indexes for rate adaptation - Channel bonding (20, 40, 80, and 160 MHz) - Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) and beamforming - Rate scaling and link adaptation algorithms .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ac Physical Rates:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`physical_rates Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ac/physical_rates.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ac Physical Rates" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ac PPDU **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ac (2013) **Main Features:** - Defines the Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) structure for 802.11ac - Incorporates a VHT (Very High Throughput) preamble for synchronization and channel estimation - Includes SIGNAL fields (VHT-SIG A and B) specifying MCS, spatial streams, and length - Supports wide channel bandwidths: 20, 40, 80, and 160 MHz with channel bonding - Payload is encoded with OFDM modulation using up to 256-QAM - Enables Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO) transmissions for increased efficiency and throughput - Provides robust error correction and adaptive modulation for high-speed wireless data transmission **Use Cases:** - High-throughput data encapsulation for modern Wi-Fi applications - Synchronization and channel estimation in 5 GHz WLANs with wide channels - Supporting gigabit wireless links and dense device environments **Related Concepts:** - VHT preamble and signaling fields - OFDM symbol structure with enhanced coding and modulation - MU-MIMO and beamforming integration - Channel bonding and spatial stream allocation .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ac PPDU:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section ` * :ref:`Terminology ` * :ref:`Version Info ` * :ref:`ppdu Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ac/ppdu.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ac PPDU"