802.11aq
802.11aq is a Wi-Fi protocol amendment that enables pre-association service discovery, allowing devices to discover available services before connecting to a network.
Category |
Description |
Use Case |
|---|---|---|
MAC Functions |
Enhancements to MAC layer to support pre-association service discovery. |
Allowing devices to discover network services before connecting |
MAC Timings |
Adjusted MAC operations to enable timely service discovery frames. |
Efficient coordination of discovery messages during scanning |
Packet Formats |
New or modified frame types to carry service discovery information. |
Structured communication of service availability to clients |
Power Save |
Support for low-power discovery without full association. |
Enables energy-efficient scanning for services |
Interoperability |
Designed to be compatible with existing 802.11 infrastructure. |
Allows integration with legacy devices and networks |
Physical Rates |
Utilizes underlying PHY capabilities of the base 802.11 standard. |
Ensures flexible deployment across various PHY implementations |
PPDU |
No changes to the PPDU format; leverages existing PHY layer structures. |
Maintains compatibility while enabling new MAC-level features |
Standard: IEEE 802.11aq (2018)
Main Features:
Enhances MAC functionality for pre-association service discovery
Allows devices to discover available services before connecting
Supports extended service advertisements in Wi-Fi networks
Works with existing MAC mechanisms to provide seamless service awareness
Helps IoT and mobile devices find context-relevant services faster
Integrates with higher-layer protocols to advertise network capabilities
Use Cases:
Enabling pre-association service discovery in public Wi-Fi
Supporting smart city and IoT applications needing early service context
Improving user experience by reducing time-to-service
Related Functions:
Service advertisement frameworks
Information Elements (IEs) used in Beacon and Probe Response frames
MAC-layer enhancements for non-associated service access
Compatibility with legacy 802.11 MAC operations
Explore the details of 802.11aq MAC Functions:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aq (2018)
Main Features:
Introduces timing considerations for pre-association service discovery
Maintains compatibility with existing 802.11 MAC timing mechanisms
Coordinates timing of service advertisements using standard intervals
Leverages existing Interframe Spaces (SIFS, DIFS) for media access
Ensures reliable and timely discovery of services before association
Synchronizes service delivery with beacon/probe frame timing
Use Cases:
Timing service announcements for unassociated clients
Enhancing responsiveness in IoT and mobile discovery scenarios
Coordinating efficient service discovery in dense Wi-Fi environments
Related Timing Parameters:
Short Interframe Space (SIFS)
Distributed Interframe Space (DIFS)
Timing of Beacon and Probe Response frames
Contention window timing for service-based access
Explore the details of 802.11aq MAC Timings:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aq (2018)
Main Features:
Extends standard 802.11 frame formats to support service discovery
Adds new Information Elements (IEs) to management frames (e.g., Beacons, Probe Responses)
Ensures backward compatibility with legacy frame structures
Leverages existing MAC and PHY headers defined in prior amendments
Enables pre-association advertisement of services via standardized frame fields
Maintains support for QoS and security features within extended frames
Use Cases:
Broadcasting service availability information before client association
Embedding metadata in Wi-Fi frames to support smarter device behavior
Supporting seamless connectivity in IoT and mobile-first environments
Related Frame Types:
Management frames (e.g., Beacon with Service Discovery IE)
Probe Request/Response frames with extended service data
Data and Control frames reused without modification
Explore the details of 802.11aq Packet Formats:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aq (2018)
Main Features:
Builds on legacy Power Save Mode (PSM) with enhancements for service discovery
Optimizes timing and power use during pre-association phases
Enables unassociated clients to conserve energy while listening for service advertisements
Extends use of Beacon and Probe Response timing to minimize wake duration
Integrates with Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) and Traffic Indication Map (TIM)
Facilitates efficient discovery while maintaining low power profiles in IoT devices
Use Cases:
Reducing energy use during service discovery for mobile and IoT clients
Supporting low-power Wi-Fi devices in smart environments
Improving pre-association efficiency without sacrificing battery life
Related Mechanisms:
TIM and DTIM fields used for service announcement coordination
Extended sleep intervals for passive discovery
Efficient scanning strategies for low-duty-cycle devices
Explore the details of 802.11aq Power Saving mechanisms:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aq (2018)
Main Features:
Ensures compatibility across devices implementing pre-association service discovery
Supports coexistence with legacy 802.11 standards and dual-band operations
Defines standardized service advertisement formats for seamless integration
Uses common MAC and PHY layer procedures to maintain interoperability
Implements clear channel assessment (CCA) and CSMA/CA for media coordination
Facilitates coexistence with other wireless systems sharing the 2.4/5 GHz bands
Use Cases:
Enabling multi-vendor deployments supporting 802.11aq service discovery
Supporting seamless roaming and handoff in mixed-standard Wi-Fi networks
Allowing legacy and new devices to operate harmoniously in overlapping bands
Related Mechanisms:
Standardized management and service discovery frame formats
Frequency band coordination and coexistence mechanisms
Unified PHY and MAC procedures for interoperability
Explore the details of 802.11aq Interoperability mechanisms:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aq (2018)
Main Features:
Builds on existing physical layer rates defined in legacy 802.11 standards
Supports OFDM modulation with rates compatible with 802.11a/n/ac where applicable
Focuses primarily on MAC layer enhancements; physical rates remain aligned with underlying PHY
Operates in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands depending on deployment scenario
Enables efficient pre-association service discovery without impacting PHY performance
Adapts to channel conditions using legacy rate adaptation schemes
Use Cases:
Maintaining PHY data rates while adding service discovery capabilities
Supporting seamless integration with existing Wi-Fi physical layers
Enabling high-throughput wireless connections alongside enhanced service features
Related Concepts:
Rate adaptation and modulation coding schemes (MCS)
Channel bandwidth and frequency allocation
Integration of PHY rates with MAC-layer service discovery
Explore the details of 802.11aq Physical Rates:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aq (2018)
Main Features:
Builds on the existing 802.11 PHY PPDU structure without altering base format
Includes legacy preamble for synchronization and channel estimation
Utilizes SIGNAL field consistent with 802.11a/n/ac standards to indicate rate and length
Supports transmission of MAC frames including service discovery extensions
Maintains robust modulation and coding techniques for reliable 5 GHz communication
Enables integration of pre-association service discovery without PHY layer changes
Use Cases:
Ensuring compatibility with existing PHY encapsulation mechanisms
Supporting service discovery within standard PPDU frames
Maintaining synchronization and efficient wireless transmission
Related Concepts:
OFDM symbol and subcarrier structure
Service and tail bits in PPDU frame
Channel coding, interleaving, and error correction
Explore the details of 802.11aq PPDU: