【My Study Note】Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6, formerly known as 802.11ax, is one of the largest leaps in Wi-Fi technology since its introduction.
Benefits of Wi-Fi 6
The Wi-Fi 6 network protocol is faster and more efficient for networks with a larger number of connected devices.
Key benefits of Wi-Fi 6 technology
- Higher data rates: Band splitting or increased client group sizes allow for uploading and downloading greater amounts of data.
- Increased band capacity: Band utilization increased from 80mHz to 160mHz, creating a faster connection from the router to connected devices.
- Better performance: The input/output streams are doubled from the 4 by 4 allowed by Wi-Fi 5, to 8 by 8 in Wi-Fi 6, allowing more clients to be grouped.
- Improved power efficiency: Devices only connect to the network when sending or receiving data, increasing battery life.
Capabilities of Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 6 technology improves functionality and connectivity.
- Channel sharing for better efficiency and shortens the time it takes to send data once a user gives the send command.
- Target Wake Time (TWT) improves the network speed and increases battery life by allowing battery-powered devices to sleep when not in use.
- Multi-user MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) wireless technology allows more data to be transferred simultaneously. This ability increases capacity and efficiency in high-bandwidth applications like voice calls or video streaming.
- 160 MHz channel utilization gives more space for transmitting data and increases bandwidth capability.
- 1024 Quadrature amplitude modulation combines two signals into a single channel, so more data is encoded.
- Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) allows for bandwidth splitting, which is assigned dynamically by the access point to separate devices.
- Transmit beamforming is a technique that sends signals that allow for more efficient higher data rates by targeting each connected device.
Wi-Fi 6E extends Wi-Fi 6 into 6 GHz
Wi-Fi 6E is an additional certification for Wi-Fi 6 that has all of the features of Wi-Fi 6 but adds a third 6 GHz band. Wi-Fi 6E has more channels to use to broadcast, including 14 more 80MHz channels and seven more 160MHz channels. The additional channels allow networks with Wi-Fi 6E for better performance even when streaming high-definition video or using virtual reality devices.
Key takeaways
- Wi-Fi technology will continue to change as the needs of companies and users change. Wi-Fi 6 improves the quality of networks with faster speeds and energy-saving technology.
- Wi-Fi 6 uses technologies like channel sharing, Target Wake Time, Multi-user MIMO, channel utilization, amplitude modulation, OFDMA, and transmit beamforming to increase the quality of a Wi-Fi network.
- Wi-Fi 6E is an additional certification of Wi-Fi 6 that has even faster speeds and stronger performance.