802.11ad - Basics

What is IEEE 802.11ad?

802.11ad is a wireless networking standard that operates in the 60 GHz frequency band, designed for multi-gigabit short-range wireless communication.

When was 802.11ad ratified?

802.11ad was ratified by the IEEE in December 2012.

What frequency band does 802.11ad use?

802.11ad operates in the unlicensed 60 GHz frequency band.

What is the maximum data rate of 802.11ad?

802.11ad can achieve data rates of up to 7 Gbps.

What is the range of 802.11ad?

802.11ad has a very short range, typically around 1 to 10 meters, and is limited by its high frequency and lack of wall penetration.

What modulation techniques are used in 802.11ad?

802.11ad uses a variety of modulation schemes including BPSK, QPSK, and 16-QAM, depending on the data rate and conditions.

Is 802.11ad compatible with 802.11ac or 802.11n?

No, it is not directly compatible as it operates in a different frequency band. However, some tri-band routers support all three standards.

What is WiGig in relation to 802.11ad?

WiGig is the marketing name for products based on the 802.11ad standard, emphasizing high-speed short-range wireless communication.

What are the ideal use cases for 802.11ad?

802.11ad is ideal for high-speed data transfers over short distances, such as wireless docking stations, VR headsets, and uncompressed video streaming.

Does 802.11ad support beamforming?

Yes, beamforming is essential in 802.11ad to maintain signal quality over short distances and reduce interference.

Is 802.11ad affected by obstacles like walls?

Yes, the 60 GHz signals used in 802.11ad are heavily attenuated by walls and obstacles, limiting its use to line-of-sight environments.

Is 802.11ad widely adopted?

Adoption has been limited due to its range constraints and the emergence of newer standards like 802.11ay and 802.11ax.

What is the latency performance of 802.11ad?

802.11ad offers ultra-low latency, making it suitable for applications like wireless VR or high-speed peripherals.

What devices support 802.11ad?

Some high-end routers, laptops, and docking stations, especially from 2016–2020, came with 802.11ad (WiGig) support.

Is 802.11ad suitable for outdoor use?

No, due to its short range and susceptibility to atmospheric absorption, it is primarily intended for indoor, line-of-sight use.

Does 802.11ad support MU-MIMO?

No, 802.11ad does not support MU-MIMO; it relies on high frequency and beamforming for performance.

Which OSI layers does 802.11ad operate on?

Like other Wi-Fi standards, 802.11ad operates on Layer 1 (Physical) and Layer 2 (Data Link) of the OSI model.

What are the limitations of 802.11ad?

The major limitations include short range, poor wall penetration, and limited adoption in consumer devices.

What security protocols are supported by 802.11ad?

802.11ad supports WPA2 and WPA3 depending on device support and implementation.

Where can I get the official 802.11ad standard?

The full 802.11ad specification can be accessed via the [IEEE Standards Store](https://standards.ieee.org).

Topics in this section,

  • In this section, you are going to learn

  • Terminology

  • Version Info

  • rfc details

  • setup

  • setup

  • mac features

  • Medium Access Functions and their inner working

  • Supported Frequency Bands in 802.11ad

  • List of Physical Features

  • Power Saving Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11ad

  • Interoperability Mechanisms in IEEE 802.11ad

  • End-User Products that support 802.11ad

  • Protocol Packet Details

  • Basic Features

  • Reference links