The Evolution of Wi-Fi Technology
Wi-Fi is a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) technology based on the IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be standards. It transmits data through radio waves to provide devices with fast and stable Internet access. Since its introduction, Wi-Fi technology has steadily improved in speed, reliability, and range. Starting with basic wireless LAN, it evolved with each iteration, introducing innovations like increased bandwidth, and higher data throughput. As Wi-Fi moves toward Wi-Fi 6 and 7, it’s shaping the digital landscape by offering faster, more stable connections to meet growing consumer and business demands.
What’s New in Wi-Fi 6 and 7?
Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 brings groundbreaking improvements:
• Protocol Support: Wi-Fi 6 is based on the 802.11ax protocol, however, Wi-Fi 7 supports IEEE 802.11be standard aims to implement wireless communications at much faster speeds and larger capacities than the previous 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), both standards improve data transfer efficiency significantly. Wi-Fi 7 introduces Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and Dual-Band Simultaneous (DBS), Tri-band transmit concurrently enabling devices to operate over multiple channels simultaneously, reducing latency.
• Tri-band: With bands at 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, Wi-Fi 7 increases capacity by supporting tri-band concurrently, allowing faster, stable connections for more connected devices.
• MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output): Wi-Fi 6/7 enhances multi-user communication by increasing the number of data streams for improved network performance.
• 4K QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation): Wi-Fi 7's 4K QAM increases data throughput by efficiently packing more data into each transmission. The 320 MHz channels enable faster speeds, ideal for high-bandwidth applications.
Wi-Fi 6/7: The Future for Users and Businesses
Smart home: For AR/VR gaming and router/CPE connectivity, Wi-Fi 7 ensures fast, uninterrupted connections, providing an immersive experience with high data throughput and low lag.
Industrial IoT: In smart factories, Wi-Fi 7 enables real-time communication between sensors, automated production lines, and machine collaboration, ensuring optimal efficiency and fewer interruptions.
High-density population scenarios: In airports, concerts, or public transport, Wi-Fi 7 supports multi-device connectivity for uninterrupted, stable internet access, even in crowded areas. This ensures fast, high-bandwidth communication for users.
Development trend of Wi-Fi technology
With the rapid deployment of 5G technology, Wi-Fi will collaborate with 5G to form a complementary relationship. In the future, the following trends in Wi-Fi technology are worth paying attention to:
·Popularization of Wi-Fi 6/6E and Wi-Fi 7: These new standards will continue to improve speed and network efficiency, especially in high-density equipment environments such as smart factories, stadiums and exhibitions.
· Key technologies in the IoT: Wi-Fi technology is becoming an important part of the development of the future Wi-Fi modules. Featuring wide-range Wi-Fi access and high data throughput, suitable for a wide range of IoT devices and application scenarios.
Fibocom 's Wi-Fi 6/7 Module Solutions
Fibocom offers Wi-Fi 6/7 modules designed to boost connectivity in smart home environments, particularly when coupled with 5G FWA solutions. These modules help various industries, from homes to enterprises, achieve seamless, high-speed wireless communication. Fibocom is dedicated to providing innovative Wi-Fi solutions that empower customers to navigate the evolving digital landscape.
