WIFI

Wi-Fi protocols define wireless communication standards that govern speed, frequency, and range for devices on a wireless local area network (WLAN).

Protocol

Description

Use Case

802.11b

One of the first Wi-Fi standards operating at 2.4 GHz with up to 11 Mbps. Basic wireless connectivity with broad compatibility.

Legacy wireless LANs, low bandwidth devices

802.11a

Early Wi-Fi standard operating at 5 GHz with up to 54 Mbps data rates. Suitable for interference-free, high-speed WLANs in enterprise and campus environments.

High-speed 5 GHz WLANs, enterprise networks

802.11ax

Known as Wi-Fi 6, it operates in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with improved efficiency and capacity using OFDMA and MU-MIMO. Designed for dense environments and high device counts.

High-density areas, smart homes, IoT, enterprise and public Wi-Fi networks

802.11ax 6E

Known as Wi-Fi 6E, it extends Wi-Fi 6 features into the 6 GHz band, offering wider channels and less interference for higher throughput and lower latency. Ideal for ultra-dense environments and high-bandwidth applications.

Use cases include high-density venues, AR/VR, 4K/8K streaming, cloud gaming, and future-ready enterprise and residential networks

802.11be

Upcoming Wi-Fi 7 standard promising extremely high throughput with multi-link operation. Future-proof, ultra-high-speed, low latency networks.

Next-gen enterprise, gaming, AR/VR applications

802.11bn

Not an official IEEE standard; possibly vendor-defined. Can refer to dual-band or next-gen enhancements combining 802.11b and 802.11n features.

Legacy + high-throughput compatibility (e.g., embedded/IoT devices)

802.11ah

Sub-1 GHz Wi-Fi standard known as Wi-Fi HaLow. Designed for long-range, low-power communication with support for thousands of devices per access point.

Embedded systems, IoT, smart agriculture, industrial sensors, extended-range low-power networks

IEEE Standard: IEEE 802.11b-1999

Main Features:

  • Operates in 2.4 GHz band with DSSS modulation

  • Supports data rates up to 11 Mbps

  • Widely adopted early Wi-Fi standard with broad device support

  • Susceptible to interference from other 2.4 GHz devices

Use Cases:

  • Basic wireless internet access

  • Legacy devices and networks

  • Low bandwidth IoT devices

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11g – Higher throughput in 2.4 GHz

  • 802.11n – MIMO and dual-band support

  • Bluetooth – 2.4 GHz short-range communication

Let us learn more about 802.11b:

Jump to “wifi1”

IEEE Standard: IEEE 802.11a-1999

Main Features:

  • Operates in 5 GHz frequency band using OFDM modulation

  • Supports data rates up to 54 Mbps

  • Provides less interference compared to 2.4 GHz band

  • Shorter range due to higher frequency but less crowded spectrum

  • First widely adopted high-speed Wi-Fi standard

Use Cases:

  • Enterprise and campus WLANs with high throughput needs

  • Environments requiring reduced interference from common 2.4 GHz devices

  • Backhaul links and point-to-point wireless connections

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11b – Legacy 2.4 GHz standard with lower speeds

  • 802.11g – 2.4 GHz standard with OFDM support

  • 802.11n – Dual-band with MIMO support

Let us learn more about 802.11a:

Jump to “wifi2”

IEEE Standard: IEEE 802.11g-2003 (with 802.11d amendment)

Main Features:

  • Operates in 2.4 GHz band using OFDM modulation

  • Supports data rates up to 54 Mbps

  • Backward compatible with 802.11b devices

  • Adds country-specific regulatory info (802.11d) for global compliance

  • Provides higher throughput in the crowded 2.4 GHz band

Use Cases:

  • Home and office WLANs requiring better throughput on 2.4 GHz

  • Legacy device support in mixed networks

  • Devices operating across multiple regulatory domains (thanks to 802.11d)

  • Basic multimedia streaming and internet access

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11b – Legacy DSSS 2.4 GHz standard

  • 802.11n – Dual-band and MIMO support (Wi-Fi 4)

  • 802.11ax – Next-generation Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6)

Let us learn more about 802.11g and 802.11d:

Jump to “wifi3”

IEEE Standards:

  • 802.11n (High throughput)

  • 802.11e (QoS)

  • 802.11h ((Spectrum and Power Management))

  • 802.11i (Security)

  • 802.11r (Fast BSS Transition)

  • 802.11u (Interworking with external networks)

  • 802.11w (Protected Management Frames)

Main Features:

  • MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output)

  • Up to 600 Mbps throughput

  • Backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g

  • Improved reliability and coverage

Use Cases:

  • Home and enterprise wireless networks

  • Multimedia streaming over Wi-Fi

  • VoIP and time-sensitive applications (802.11e)

Security Enhancements:

  • WPA2 with 802.11i

  • Secure roaming and fast handoffs

Let us learn more about Wi-Fi 4 and its amendments:

Jump to “wifi4”

IEEE Standards:

  • 802.11ac (Very High Throughput)

  • 802.11ae (QoS Management Frame Prioritization)

  • 802.11aq (Pre-association Discovery)

Main Features:

  • 5 GHz operation

  • Wider channels (up to 160 MHz)

  • MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO)

  • Beamforming for better range and stability

  • Higher modulation schemes (256-QAM)

Use Cases:

  • High-speed home and enterprise Wi-Fi

  • Streaming 4K/8K video

  • VR/AR and real-time applications

Enhancements over Wi-Fi 4:

  • Greater throughput

  • Enhanced spectrum efficiency

  • Improved roaming and device density support

Let us learn more about Wi-Fi 5 and its amendments:

Jump to “wifi5”

IEEE Standards:

  • 802.11ad (WiGig v1 – Short-range high-speed)

  • 802.11ay (WiGig v2 – Enhanced range and throughput)

Main Features:

  • Operates in the 60 GHz band (mmWave)

  • Extremely high throughput (multi-Gbps)

  • Low latency communication

  • Beamforming for directional transmission

  • Ideal for in-room, short-range scenarios

Use Cases:

  • Wireless docking stations and peripherals

  • VR/AR streaming

  • Ultra-fast file transfers

  • Wireless backhaul and mesh networking

Enhancements in 802.11ay over 802.11ad:

  • MIMO support

  • Increased channel bonding (up to 8.64 GHz)

  • Longer range and better stability

Let us learn more about WiGig and its amendments:

Jump to “wigig”

IEEE Standards:

  • 802.11ax (Next-generation high-efficiency Wi-Fi)

  • 802.11ai (Fast Initial Link Setup - FILS)

Main Features:

  • Operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands (802.11ax)

  • Improves efficiency, capacity, and performance in dense environments

  • OFDMA, MU-MIMO, and Target Wake Time (TWT) support (802.11ax)

  • Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) reduces connection times (802.11ai)

  • Enhanced security and improved power management

Use Cases:

  • Dense public and enterprise Wi-Fi environments

  • IoT and battery-powered device optimization

  • Fast and seamless network access

  • High-bandwidth applications like 4K/8K video streaming and AR/VR

Enhancements in 802.11ai over 802.11ax:

  • Reduces the time for initial authentication and association

  • Enables quicker network access, improving user experience in high-mobility or high-density scenarios

Let us learn more about Wi-Fi 6 and its related amendments:

Jump to “wifi6”

IEEE Standard: IEEE 802.11ax-2021

Main Features:

  • Operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (and 6 GHz in Wi-Fi 6E)

  • Uses OFDMA and uplink/downlink MU-MIMO for high efficiency

  • Supports BSS Coloring to reduce interference in dense deployments

  • Improves battery life with Target Wake Time (TWT)

  • Offers higher throughput and lower latency in crowded environments

Use Cases:

  • High-density environments: stadiums, airports, enterprises

  • IoT networks with many connected devices

  • Streaming 4K/8K video, gaming, and real-time applications

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11ac – Previous generation high throughput

  • 802.11be – Next-gen Wi-Fi 7

  • 802.11ax-6E – Extended 6 GHz spectrum support

Let us learn more about 802.11ax:

Jump to “wifi6”

IEEE Standard: IEEE 802.11ax-2021 with 6 GHz extension

Main Features:

  • Extends Wi-Fi 6 into the 6 GHz band (5925 MHz to 7125 MHz)

  • Benefits from wider channels (up to 160 MHz) for higher throughput

  • Retains OFDMA and uplink/downlink MU-MIMO for improved efficiency

  • Supports BSS Coloring and Target Wake Time (TWT) for dense and power-efficient networks

  • Offers reduced interference and congestion in new 6 GHz spectrum

Use Cases:

  • Ultra-high-density environments with very high bandwidth needs

  • Enhanced AR/VR, 4K/8K streaming, cloud gaming, and low-latency applications

  • Future-proofing networks with additional spectrum availability

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) – Original dual-band standard (2.4/5 GHz)

  • 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) – Upcoming next-gen Wi-Fi with even higher speeds

  • Other 6 GHz band users and regulations (e.g., FCC rules)

Explore the extended capabilities of 802.11ax 6E:

Jump to “wifi6e”

IEEE Standard: Draft IEEE 802.11be (Expected ~2024)

Main Features:

  • Enhances 802.11ax with wider channels up to 320 MHz

  • Supports 16 spatial streams and multi-link operation

  • Provides throughput targets >30 Gbps

  • Incorporates improved OFDMA and MIMO technologies

  • Aims for ultra-low latency and high reliability

Use Cases:

  • Next-gen AR/VR and immersive multimedia

  • Industrial automation and real-time control

  • Multi-gigabit home and enterprise networks

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11ax – Wi-Fi 6 base standard

  • 802.11ay – 60 GHz ultra-high throughput

  • 5G NR – Cellular ultra-reliable low-latency comm

Let us learn more about 802.11be:

Jump to “wifi7”

IEEE Standard: Not an official IEEE amendment Represents: Devices supporting both IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11n, primarily on the 2.4 GHz band

Main Features:

  • Ensures backward compatibility with legacy 802.11b (11 Mbps) devices

  • Supports 802.11n features such as MIMO and higher data rates (up to 600 Mbps)

  • Operates primarily on the 2.4 GHz band, common in low-cost Wi-Fi modules

  • Useful in embedded, IoT, or industrial systems requiring legacy support

Use Cases:

  • Embedded systems needing long-range and compatibility with older devices

  • Industrial and commercial setups with mixed Wi-Fi clients

  • Low-bandwidth applications with occasional need for higher speed

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11b – Legacy 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi

  • 802.11n – Modern 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi with higher throughput

  • 802.11g – Often supported alongside for broader compatibility

Let us learn more about 802.11bn:

Jump to “wifi8”

IEEE Standard: IEEE 802.11ah Represents: Sub-1 GHz Wi-Fi standard optimized for long-range, low-power, and low-data-rate communication

Main Features:

  • Operates in sub-1 GHz bands (e.g., 902–928 MHz in the U.S.)

  • Extended range (up to 1 km) and strong signal penetration through walls/obstacles

  • Low power consumption; ideal for battery-powered IoT devices

  • Supports thousands of devices per access point

  • Narrow channel bandwidths (e.g., 1, 2, 4 MHz) for efficient spectrum use

Use Cases:

  • Smart agriculture (soil sensors, livestock monitoring)

  • Industrial IoT (remote equipment monitoring, telemetry)

  • Smart cities (parking meters, street lighting)

  • Home and building automation (HVAC, security sensors)

  • Embedded systems requiring long-range, low-speed connectivity

Alternative or Related Protocols:

  • 802.11n – Higher-throughput Wi-Fi for 2.4/5 GHz bands

  • Zigbee / LoRa / Bluetooth LE – Competing low-power wireless standards

  • 802.15.4 – Low-rate WPAN standard underlying Zigbee and Thread

Let us learn more about 802.11ah:

Jump to “Wi-Fi HaLow”