IEEE 802.11 Overview and Amendments Under Development
IEEE 802.11 Overview and Amendments Under Development
2021 July
Presenter: Szymon Szott
“At lectures, symposia, seminars, or educational courses, an individual presenting information on IEEE standards shall make it clear that his or her views
should be considered the personal views of that individual rather than the formal position, explanation, or interpretation of the IEEE.” IEEE-SA
Standards Board Operation Manual (subclause 5.9.3)
July 2021
IEEE Standards Association
July 2021
The IEEE 802.11 Working Group is one of the most active WGs in 802
Focus on link and physical layers of the network stack
Leverage IETF protocols for upper layers
OSI Reference
Model
IEEE 802
Application Local and Metropolitan Area Networks
Standards Committee (LMSC)
Presentation
Session
802.1 802.22 802.24
802.3 802.15 802.16 802.18 802.21
Higher 802.11 802.19 Wireless Vertical
CSMA/CD Wireless Wireless Radio Media
Transport Layer
Ethernet
Wireless
Specialty Broadband Regulatory
Co-existence Regional App.
Independent Area
LAN WLAN WG TAG
Networks Access TAG Handoff
Protocols Networks
Network
Data Link
IEEE IEEE 802.11 WG Voting Members: 400+
Physical
802
Medium
July 2021
Type of Groups in 802.11
July 2021
4
IEEE 802.11 Active Subgroups
July 2021
5
Development of the IEEE 802.11 Standard is ongoing since 1997
11aq
11aa 11k 11s
Pre Association 11e
Video Transport RRM Mesh
Discovery QoS
MAC
11v
11u 11h
Network
WIEN DFS & TPC
11ak 11ae Management
General Link QoS Mgt Frames
11i 11d
11z
Security Intl roaming
TDLS 11w
11ai Management
Fast Initial Link Frame 11f
Setup 11r Inter AP IEEE
Security
Fast Roam
802.11 802.11 Std
802.11 802.11 802.11
-2012 -2003 802.11
-2020 -2016 -2007
-1997
11n
11ah 11af High 11a
11j
Sub 1 GHz TV Whitespace Throughput 54 Mbps
JP bands
PHY & MAC
July 2021
6
New 802.11 Radio technologies are under development to meet expanding market
needs and leverage new technologies. Completed standards
July 2021
IEEE 802.11 Standards Pipeline – July 2021
MAC 802.11
REVme
802.11bh
RCM
802.11bc
802.11bi
BCS
EDP
802.11ba
Study 802.11az WUR
Group(s) 802.11bf NGP
ITU Liaison SENS 802.11
(ITU) AHG WNG -2020
Topic 802.11ax
802.11be 802.11bd
Interest HEW
EHT NGV
Group(s)
802.11ay
802.11bb
NG60
LC
• Technical capabilities
• MIMO (IEEE Std 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ay) and OFDMA (802.11ax)
• 60 GHz radios (802.11ay)
• Changes to regulation
• TV whitespaces (IEEE Std 802.11af), Radar detection (IEEE Std 802.11h), 6GHz (802.11ax, 802.11be)
• Coexistence and radio performance rules (e.g., ETSI BRAN, ITU-R)
July 2021
10
802.11az Next Generation Positioning
• Next Generation Positioning P802.11az project is the evolutionary roadmap of accurate 802.11
location (FTM) appearing first in previous revisions of the 802.11 standard:
• Accurate indoor Navigation (sub 1m and into the <0.1m domain).
• Secured (authenticated and private) positioning – open my car with my smartphone, position aware
services (money withdrawal).
• Open my computer with my phone/watch.
• Location based link adaptation for home usages (connect to best AP).
• Navigate in extremely dense environments (stadia/airport scenarios).
July 2021 11
802.11az Key Radio and Positioning Techniques
• Medium efficient operation via dynamic (demand dependent)
measurement rate.
July 2021
802.11bb Light Communications
July 2021 13
802.11bb usage model 1: Industrial wireless
Pre-Conditions Traffic Conditions
Devices may experience unstable radio frequency (RF) Both uplink and downlink traffic is using LC.
connection due to Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI) High levels of OBSS interference between LC access points
in factories. LC is deployed to provide reliable wireless (APs) expected due to very high density deployment.
connectivity for industrial wireless networks. Potential non-LC interference from surrounding environments
Environment such as artificial-light.
All communications are within a large metal building, Multiple LC modules are deployed on the robot/equipment
industrial or automated work cell. The area of these and on the ceiling/walls to provide multiple light links for a
environments range from tens to thousands of square robust connectivity in case a single line-of-sight (LOS) link is
meters, equipped with industrial robot and other blocked.
equipment. The environment has high levels of EMI. Use Case
Lighting level of 150 lux is recommended (1500 lux for An industrial robot is powered on and ready for operation.
dedicated work). Operating instructions are transmitted to the robot via LC.
Applications The robot is working (e.g., movement) according to the
Ultra-high-definition (UHD) video streaming for instructions and provides real-time feedback information
surveillance or production monitoring (quality control) and/or video monitoring data for quality control to control
applications, for video collaboration for team, customer, center also via LC. Upon command, the robot finishes the task
and supplier meetings. Lightly compressed Video: ~ and is ready for the next one.
1Gbps, delay < 5 ms, 1x10-8 PER, 99.9% reliability. Fully
connected factory—for real-time communications,
application execution, and remote access.Distance
between LC APs ranges from 2~20 meters.
July 2021
14
802.11bb usage model 2: Wireless access in medical environments
Pre-Conditions Traffic Conditions
IEC 60601-1-2 standard recommends the minimum No interference caused by RF radiation.
separation distance between medical electrical (ME) Both uplink and downlink traffic is are using LC.
equipment and RF wireless communications equipment High Quality of Service (QoS) and high reliability are required.
(e.g., wireless local area network (WLAN)) be 30 cm to Potential non-LC interference from surrounding environments
avoid performance degradation of the ME equipment. LC such as artificial-light.
is deployed to ensure the performance of all ME
equipment. Use Case
Doctors enter an operating theater, turn on the LC enabled
Environment LED lights and ME equipment. Doctors can interact with the
The size of a operating theater and MRI room ranges from remote doctors and share information using LC. ME
30~60 m2. Multiple LC-APs are deployed on the ceiling to equipment connectivity is also supported by LC. Doctors finish
provide specialized illumination. The central illuminance the treatment, then turn off the lights and medical equipment.
of the operating light: 160k and 40k lux. The size of a four A patient is monitored by ME equipment which communicate
beds ward is about 60 m2, light level: 300 lux on the bed with the nurses/doctors in control room via LC.
and >100 lux between the beds and in the central area.
Applications
LC-WLAN is used to allow wireless data exchange in © vm
July 2021
15
802.11bb uses light spectrum and existing technological capabilities
• RF frontend up-converts
baseband signals onto e.g.
fc=2.4 GHz.
• LC frontend up-converts
baseband onto low IF e.g.
fc=BW/2 + Δ.
– Δ is to be agreed depending on signal mask design.
• This way, any complex-valued baseband signal (i.e. any
existing IEEE 802.11 PHY) can be used to facilitate LC.
July 2021
802.11bb uses light spectrum and existing technological capabilities
802.11
MAC
Existing LC-Optimized
PHY for LC PHY
• Use existing 802.11a PHY as a common, mandatory OFDM PHY, using 800 nm – 1000 nm as the common
mode wavelength
• The switch between the LC PHY modes will be done at the MAC layer.
a) Legacy 802.11 PHY is used (e.g. 11a/g, n, ac, ax) → reuse 802.11 PHY also for LC
b) LC-optimized PHY is used (e.g. G.hn/G.vlc) → optimize performance for LC
July 2021
802.11bc is defining Enhanced Broadcast Services
July 2021
802.11bc Broadcast Downlink use case description
July 2021 19
802.11bc Broadcast Uplink use case description
July 2021 20
802.11bd defines an evolution of 802.11p for Vehicle to Anything (V2X)
• 802.11p is largely based on 802.11a.
• 802.11bd defines MAC/PHY enhancements from 802.11n,
ac, ax, to provide a backwards compatible next
generation V2X protocol. Longer Range Higher
Throughput
• Higher Throughput
• OFDM frame design
• Higher MCS, LDPC coding
• Packet aggregation
• Longer Range
• Mid-amble design
• Repeated transmission mechanism
• More robust channel coding
July 2021
802.11bd: Next Generation V2X Use Cases
5.9 GHz band mainly, and optionally 60 GHz;
Completion in 2022
http://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/tgbd_update.htm
July 2021
Countries enabling Wi-Fi 6E: 6GHz Operation, see https://www.wi-
fi.org/countries-enabling-wi-fi-6e (as of 2021-07-29)
25
July 2021
WFA Wi-Fi 6E Interoperability certification is now available: IEEE 802.11ax in
the 6GHz band
Press release
Paper: Wi-Fi 6E: Wi-Fi® in the 6 GHz band
Wi-Fi 6E Highlights
Wi-Fi 6E Video animation
List of certified devices
July 2021
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6 GHz Channels in United States & Europe/CEPT
225
105
201
205
209
213
217
221
229
233
101
109
113
117
121
125
129
133
137
141
145
149
153
157
161
165
169
173
177
181
185
189
193
197
59 x 20 MHz
1
5
53
93
13
17
21
25
29
33
37
41
45
49
57
61
65
69
73
77
81
85
89
97
20 MHz Guard
3 11 19 27 35 43 51 59 67 75 83 91 99 107 115 123 131 139 147 155 163 171 179 187 195 203 211 219 227
29 x 40 MHz
7 23 39 55 71 87 103 119 135 151 167 183 199 215
14 x 80 MHz
7 x 160 MHz 15 47 79 111 143 175 207
5925 - 6425
= Low Power Indoor (LPI) Only
= LPI & Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC)
24 x 20 MHz
20 MHz Guard
July 2021 27
802.11bf WLAN sensing
• WLAN sensing is the use of received WLAN signals to detect features of an intended
target in a given environment.
• Measure range, velocity, angular, motion, presence or proximity
• Detect objects, people, animals
• Use in room, house, car, enterprise environments
July 2021 28
802.11bf use cases
Gesture recognition
• Note: The specification of applications that make use of WLAN sensing measurements is beyond the scope of P802.11bf.
July 2021 29
802.11bf WLAN sensing
• 802.11bf enables:
• Stations to inform other stations of
their WLAN sensing capabilities
• Request and setup transmissions
that enable WLAN sensing
measurements to be performed
• Exchange of WLAN sensing
feedback and information
July 2021 31
802.11bh Randomized and Changing MAC addresses (RCM)
A MAC address is a physical hardware identifier that is assigned by the hardware manufacturer to a
network device (Ethernet, Wireless, and Bluetooth as examples)
To protect user privacy, there is a growing trend to randomize the client device’s MAC address, which
can otherwise be “snooped” by third-parties and used to track the user’s movements and potentially actions.
❖ MAC address randomization can undermine the network’s ability to steer the device to the best connection point, or
to recognize the device and provide differentiated access in secure environments, pay-for-bandwidth scenarios, etc.
July 2021 32
802.11bh Randomized and Changing MAC addresses (RCM)
Client Steering Use Case
Impacted use cases include:
• Steering a client device to
the best connection point
• Recognizing the device, to
provide personalized home
automation
• Access to pay services, or
differentiated levels of
service
• Customer support and
troubleshooting
July 2021 33
802.11bi Enhanced Data Privacy
✓ Privacy of Password (WPA3)
Privacy of Password Identifier
Defines new mechanisms to improve user
privacy
• Today, IEEE Std 802.11aq-2018 defines
MAC address randomization and
specific requirements to prevent
device tracking using passive
observation of PHY, MAC protocol
fields.
Figure: https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/21/11-21-0541-00-00bi-protecting-password-identifiers.pptx
July 2021 34
34
New 802.11 Radio technologies are under development to meet expanding market
needs and leverage new technologies
July 2021
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802.11ax (2.4GHz, 5(6)GHz), 802.11ay (60GHz), and 802.11ah (sub 1GHz)
technology can be leveraged to meet 5G requirements
July 2021
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802.11 is a Peer Radio Access Technology in 5G System
Untrusted WLAN Access (3GPP Rel-15 onwards) Trusted WLAN Access (3GPP Rel- 16 onwards)
N2 N11
N3
N1 N3IWF UPF Data Network N1 N2
N3 N6 N4
HPLMN IPSec
N1 Y2
UPF Data Network
Non-3GPP N6
Networks N1
UE Untrusted WLAN
N3
802.11
• WLAN access is integral part of the into the 5G system architecture developed by
3GPP
Questions
July 2021
IEEE Std 802.11ax-2021 is focused on improving performance in dense
environments
* https://www.extremenetworks.com/resources/slideshare/wi-fi-engagements-from-super-bowl-
liii/
July 2021
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IEEE Std 802.11ax-2021 Categories of Enhancements
Spectral Efficiency & Area Throughput High Density
DL/UL MU-MIMO OFDMA
1024 QAM w/ 8 clients Long OFDM Spatial Reuse
25% increase Symbol
in data rate
ac
ax
8x8 AP
2x increase Up to 20%
in throughput increase
in data rate
...
o T DL/UL T T DL/UL T DL/UL o
n
F MU F MU F MU F MU n
L-STF L-LTF L-SIG RL-SIG HE-SIG-A HE-STF HE-LTF HE-LTF Data PE
TWT element: Implicit TWT, Next TWT, TWT Wake Interval
0.8us
20 MHz-only clients 80 MHz Capable
July 2021
IEEE 802.11ax meets the MAC/PHY requirements for 5G IMT-2020 Indoor
Hotspot and Dense urban test environments defined by ITU-R
Simulation conforming to the ITU-R evaluation methodology shows that performance of IEEE 802.11ax systems
meet or exceed MAC and PHY requirements for the 5G Indoor Hotspot and Dense Urban test environments
Metric (Indoor Hotspot) ITU-R Evaluation Method Minimum Requirement 802.11ax Performance
1 Peak data rate Analytical DL/UL : 20/10 Gbps DL/UL : 20.78 Gbps
2 Peak spectral efficiency Analytical DL/UL : 30/15 bits/s/Hz DL/UL : 58.01 bits/s/Hz
4 5th percentile user spectral efficiency Simulation DL/UL : 0.3/0.21 bits/s/Hz DL/UL : 0.45/0.52 bits/s/Hz
5 Average spectral efficiency Simulation DL/UL : 9/6.75 bits/s/Hz/TRxP DL/UL : 9.82/13.7 bits/s/Hz/TRxP
Required DL bandwidth = 170 MHz with 3
6 Area traffic capacity Analytical DL : 10 Mbit/s/m2 TRxP/site
7 Mobility Simulation UL : 1.5 bits/s/Hz UL : 9.4 bits/s/Hz
8 Bandwidth Inspection 100 MHz, scalable 20/40/80/80+80/160 MHz
9 User plane latency Analytical DL/UL : 4 ms DL/UL : 80 us
July 2021 42
IEEE Std 802.11ay-2021 defines next generation 60 GHz: increased throughput and
range
• 20Gbps+ rates are defined
• License- Exempt bands above 45Gbps
• Completion in 2021; First chipsets announced
July 2021 43
60 GHz Fixed Wireless Use Case: Affordable 5G Performance
“the 14 GHz of contiguous spectrum in the band offers more bandwidth than any other
licensed or unlicensed mmWave band. Further, the 60 GHz band has chipsets and
technology currently available on the commercial market.”
“In the U.S., unlicensed mmWave frequencies available for 5G primarily cover the band from
57 – 71 GHz, called the V-Band, or 60 GHz band. This band offers 14 GHz of contiguous
spectrum, which is more than all other licensed and unlicensed bands combined7. This
makes the 60 GHz band an excellent alternative to licensed mmWave frequencies for
smaller providers, as it can be used to deliver 5G performance for the minimal cost of
available 60 GHz infrastructure products.
https://go.siklu.com/hubfs/Content/White%20Papers/Maravedis%20Industry%20Overview:
%205G%20Fixed%20Wireless%20Gigabit%20Services%20Today.pdf
https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/60-ghz-band-particularly-appealing-for-fixed-wireless-report
June 2021
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60 GHz Mesh Backhaul Wireless Use Case: Deploying Today
https://wifinowevents.com/news-and-blog/cambium-
networks-to-incorporate-facebook-terragraph-tech-into-new-
60-ghz-products/
June 2021
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802.11ay builds on 802.11ad with MIMO and channel bonding features
Example without polarization
June 2021
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802.11ay defined channelization
June 2021
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IEEE Std 802.11ba-2021 Wake-up Radio Main Use Cases
AP buffers data
Internet Internet data
until the 802.11
station wakes up
data → Long latency
Buffer Do you have
Dofor
data youme?
have Buffer
Do you have
data for me?
data for me?
No
No
802.11 radio needs to No
wake up periodically to Awake Awake
receive data within a 802.11 802.11
latency requirement → station station
Sleep Sleep
high power consumption
of 802.11 station Short sleep Long sleep
interval interval
June 2021
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802.11ba Low Power Wake-up Radio Operation
Transmission range
or
Data 802.11 = LP-WUR
Transmitter Packet Receiver
802.11 OFF
ON
802.11 + Wake-up
Packet Wake-up signal
LP-WUR ON
Wake-up
Packet
June 2021
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