With the Wi-Fi Alliance launch of the “Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7” we now have an agreed standard for Wi-Fi 7 devices, Wi-Fi 7 release summary highlights the changes and the improvements of Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) certified devices.
Benefits & Target Implementations
- Reduced latency of wireless clients, all data load faster regardless of size. Improves IoT functionality and allow for better gaming and live streaming experience.
- Improved stability by allowing simultaneous 2.4, 5 & 6 usage.
- Significant increase in potential client bandwidth, aiming to replace cables for bandwidth-intensive applications. Immediate uses for VR systems and higher-quality video streaming.
- Adds functionality for better Quality of Service (QOS) and support for emergency broadcast systems.
Limitations
- WPA3 is a requirment for Multi-Link Operations (MLO) functionality, only new mid & high-end devices support WPA3.
- Requires purchasing new Wi-Fi 7 network and client devices, little benefit to existing Wi-Fi 5, 6 & 6E clients.
- Most clients will not see a significant increase in bandwidth due to antenna design limitations. (Phones, Tablets, laptops)
- To support theoretical high data rates access point cabled connections would need upgrading to 10Gbs with larger uplink speeds.
Summary
Wi-Fi 7 provides several stability and speed benefits and hints and a significant increase in wireless client bandwidth. However, it will take a long time for the majority of client devices to be redesigned to support this increased bandwidth. Additionally it will take many years for the majority of client devices to be replaced to Wi-Fi 7 certified devices.
Wi-Fi 7 has limited benefit to networks running older client devices the current target audience will be enthusiasts and specialised industries. Gamers and those looking to deploy large industrail IoT systems or live video streaming experiences will significantly benefit from Wi-Fi 7.
Major adoption will come slowly when there is a large base of Wi-Fi 7 client devices aligning with the reduced cost of network hardware.
Technical Summary
Multi-Link Operations (MLO)
New to Wi-Fi 7 MLO enables clients to use 2.4, 5 & 6GHz and provides additional signalling controls for QOS and IoT communications. Improves throughput and client connection stability & reliability.
NOTE: MLO requires WPA3 for device security.
320MHz Channel Width
Increased from max 160MHz in Wi-Fi 6 & 6E, allows for significantly greater client bandwidth.
NOTE: Due to a significant increase in interference with 320MHz channel width Wi-Fi 7 introduces a technology called “preamble puncturing”, this will detect and block sections of the channel that have interference improving overall channel usage.
4K QAM
Increased to a 4096 from 1024 QAM size in Wi-Fi 6, providing a 20% increase in throughput.
NOTE: 4K QAM is only available at better than 42dB, requiring clients to be very close to APs. Vendors are using beamforming to improve SNR through multipath but the usage of 4K QAM will be limited.
512 Compressed Block Ack
Reduces the number of Ack packets, Wi-Fi 6 improving latency and performance of transmitter.
NOTE: This allows for a significant reduction in protocol overhead and will be needed for operations at 320MHz channel width.
