802.11ad
802.11ad is a Wi-Fi standard that operates in the 60 GHz band, offering ultra-high-speed short-range wireless communication up to 7 Gbps.
Category |
Description |
Use Case |
|---|---|---|
MAC Functions |
Enhanced MAC layer with support for beamforming, directional access, and fast session transfer. |
Managing high-speed short-range directional communication |
MAC Timings |
Timing parameters tuned for low-latency operations in the 60 GHz band. |
Real-time media streaming and low-latency data transfers |
Packet Formats |
Defines new frame structures (Control PHY, SC PHY, OFDM PHY, etc.) tailored for 60 GHz. |
Efficient encoding and decoding for high-throughput wireless links |
Power Save |
Power-saving mechanisms tailored to short burst transmissions and low duty cycles. |
Extending battery life in short-range, high-speed wireless devices |
Interoperability |
Interworking support with legacy 802.11 standards and fallback to 2.4/5 GHz bands via Fast Session Transfer (FST). |
Seamless user experience across multi-band/multi-mode devices |
Physical Rates |
Data rates up to 7 Gbps using 60 GHz spectrum with advanced modulation schemes (e.g., π/2-BPSK to 64-QAM). |
Gigabit file transfer, wireless docking, and VR streaming |
PPDU |
Multiple PHY types with unique PPDU formats optimized for different use cases (e.g., control, data). |
Reliable and efficient directional transmission in mmWave bands |
Standard: IEEE 802.11ad (2012)
Main Features:
Supports directional communication and beamforming in 60 GHz band
Introduces new MAC enhancements for high-throughput short-range links
Enables fast session transfer (FST) between 2.4/5 GHz and 60 GHz bands
Incorporates scheduled access and contention-based access mechanisms
Manages directional channel access using Service Periods and Beacon Intervals
Integrates closely with PHY for beam alignment and training
Use Cases:
Enabling multi-gigabit wireless data transfer (up to 7 Gbps)
Short-range high-speed applications like wireless docking and VR
Reducing contention and increasing efficiency in dense environments
Related Functions:
Beamforming training and alignment
Directional channel access and scheduling
Fast session transfer (FST)
Enhanced acknowledgment and retransmission mechanisms
Explore the details of 802.11ad MAC Functions:
Standard: IEEE 802.11ad (2012)
Main Features:
Defines timing parameters tailored for directional 60 GHz transmissions
Replaces traditional CSMA/CA timing with scheduled access windows
Uses Beacon Intervals and Service Periods for precise time-slot allocation
Implements Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-like mechanisms for high efficiency
Reduces contention through Directional Channel Access periods
Optimizes beamforming and training timings for low-latency communication
Use Cases:
Scheduling high-speed data transfers in short-range 60 GHz networks
Supporting time-sensitive applications like VR streaming and wireless displays
Improving reliability and throughput in dense environments via scheduled access
Related Timing Parameters:
Beacon Transmission Interval (BTI)
Association Beamforming Training (A-BFT)
Announcement Time (ATI)
Service Period (SP) and Contention-Based Access Period (CBAP)
Explore the details of 802.11ad MAC Timings:
Standard: IEEE 802.11ad (2012)
Main Features:
Defines packet formats optimized for 60 GHz directional communication
Includes MAC headers with extended addressing for short-range high-speed links
Uses specialized headers for beamforming and control signaling
Employs simplified PHY headers for reduced overhead and faster processing
Supports aggregation, segmentation, and directional frame transmission
Tailored for low-latency and high-throughput applications
Use Cases:
Transmitting large multimedia or data payloads over 60 GHz links
Enabling fast beamforming training and alignment between devices
Reducing overhead while maintaining compatibility in dense wireless environments
Related Frame Types:
Beacon, DMG Beacon, and Sector Sweep frames
Control frames like RTS/CTS with directional enhancements
Acknowledgment frames including Block ACKs
High-speed Data frames with optional QoS and aggregation
Explore the details of 802.11ad Packet Formats:
Standard: IEEE 802.11ad (2012)
Main Features:
Implements power-saving techniques suited for 60 GHz directional links
Devices use Doze and Wake states coordinated by the PCP/AP
Supports scheduled service periods and contention-based access periods
Reduces power use during idle or beamforming phases
Utilizes Beacon Interval structures to manage power-aware access
Enables efficient power use in high-speed short-range applications
Use Cases:
Conserving battery in mobile or wearable devices using 60 GHz Wi-Fi
Reducing active transmission time for low-duty cycle applications
Supporting efficient power control during beamformed sessions
Related Mechanisms:
Scheduled Service Periods (SPs)
Beacon Interval and Access Period timing
Doze/Wake transitions
PCP/AP coordination of power-saving states
Explore the details of 802.11ad Power Saving mechanisms:
Standard: IEEE 802.11ad (2012)
Main Features:
Enables coexistence with legacy 802.11 devices through multi-band operation (e.g., dual-band or tri-band)
Operates primarily in the 60 GHz band but supports seamless fallback to 2.4/5 GHz
Uses Fast Session Transfer (FST) to switch between 60 GHz and legacy bands
Maintains standardized frame formats for control and management
Provides mechanisms for discovery, association, and fallback across different PHYs
Supports integration with 802.11a/n/ac/ad devices in unified network environments
Use Cases:
Supporting multi-band Wi-Fi networks with both high-speed (802.11ad) and legacy clients
Enabling session continuity between 60 GHz and lower bands
Facilitating high-throughput applications in hybrid environments
Related Mechanisms:
Fast Session Transfer (FST)
Beacon and Probe-based discovery
Multi-band MAC coordination
Legacy support via dual-radio devices
Explore the details of 802.11ad Interoperability mechanisms:
Standard: IEEE 802.11ad (2012)
Main Features:
Supports extremely high data rates up to 7 Gbps in the 60 GHz band
Utilizes single-carrier and OFDM modulation schemes for flexibility
Offers multiple Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS) for rate adaptation
Employs wide channel bandwidths (up to 2.16 GHz) for ultra-fast throughput
Uses beamforming to enhance link reliability and range
Adapts rates dynamically based on signal quality and environmental conditions
Use Cases:
Ultra-high-speed data transfer for VR/AR, HD video streaming, and gaming
Wireless docking and peripheral connectivity with gigabit speeds
Short-range, high-throughput wireless links in dense environments
Related Concepts:
Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS)
Beamforming and antenna arrays
Wide channel bonding (up to 2.16 GHz)
Rate adaptation algorithms
Explore the details of 802.11ad Physical Rates:
Standard: IEEE 802.11ad (2012)
Main Features:
Defines the Physical Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) formats used in 802.11ad
Supports multiple PPDU types: Control PHY (CPHY), Single Carrier PHY (SCPHY), OFDM PHY (OFDMPHY), and Low-Power Single Carrier PHY (LPSCPHY)
Includes preambles for synchronization, channel estimation, and beamforming training
Payload carries MAC frames encoded with single carrier or OFDM modulation
Supports data rates up to 7 Gbps using wide bandwidths in the 60 GHz band
Enables high-speed, reliable wireless communication with adaptive modulation and coding
Use Cases:
Ultra-fast data encapsulation and transmission in short-range 60 GHz links
Synchronization and beamforming between devices for directional communication
High-throughput applications like VR/AR streaming and wireless docking
Related Concepts:
Single carrier and OFDM symbol structures
Beamforming training fields in the PPDU
Modulation and coding schemes (MCS)
Channel bonding and spatial multiplexing
Explore the details of 802.11ad PPDU: