WiFi 6, also known as IEEE 802.11ax, is the newest WiFi specification standard, coming after WiFi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac). It promises greater speeds and better connectivity, as well as increased support for multiple, high-bandwidth devices. It operates between the 1 and 6 GHz frequency bands.
The History of WiFi 6
The term “WiFi 6” was coined in 2018 by the WiFi Alliance as an industry designation. It follows the simplified naming conventions for WiFi 5 and WiFi 4.
The Alliance certifies networks and devices as Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6, ensuring that they meet the specifications of the IEEE 802.11ax standards and those set by the alliance. These standards can be applied to devices such as routers, smartphones, household appliances, and video game consoles. Networks themselves can also be certified.
The IEEE 802.11ax standard was first researched in 2014, launched by the IEEE High Efficiency WLAN Study Group (HEW SG). The group aimed to increase spectrum efficiency, and improve performance in high network densities, such as in apartments with multiple competing routers or in outdoor stadiums. As well, the group wanted to find methods to support multiple high-demands devices at once. The WiFi Alliance began certifications in late 2019.
The WiFi 6 Standard
While the IEEE 802.11ax standard operates between 1 and 6 GHz, the WiFi Alliance’s WiFi 6 is specified to operate between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. As well, it promises better security through WPA3 WiFi security, with more thorough, individualized encryption and better security support for enterprise networks.
The WiFi Alliance outlines six key features that enable WiFi 6’s current capabilities.
Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) essentially segregates the spectrum by frequency, allowing for a more densely-packed channel through channel sharing, and reduces latency during periods of high demand
Multi-user multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) allows WiFi 6 to simultaneously support multiple devices on the network without a massive decrease in connection quality.
160 MHz channel utilization capability increases the overall bandwidth available, enabling higher speeds and better connection quality for high bandwidth use cases like video streaming.
Target wake time (TWT) specifies specific waking times for specific devices and stations in the network, increasing battery life and more network efficiency.
1024 quadrature amplitude modulation mode (1024-QAM) increases the coding rates of data, allowing for up to 35% faster encoding rates and increasing the network speed overall.
Transmit beamforming increases the WiFi’s range by aiming concentrated signals at a target location.
Use Cases
The WiFi Alliance considers WiFi 6 to be essential to the modern network landscape, as internet of things (IoT) use cases are predicted to increase to 21.5 billion connections by 2025, according to Statista.
Cisco predicts that WiFi 6 will act as a supplement to 5G, which similarly promises faster speeds and better IoT support through mobile broadband. However, WiFi 6 will likely be used for indoor connections, and 5G will be used for more outdoor and intermediary connectivity (i.e. between WiFi-connected areas).
Several vendors and organizations have already announced and released WiFi 6-enabled devices. Samsung’s Galaxy Note10 was the first smartphone to gain the certification. Cisco and Qualcomm have also released network equipment and access points compatible with WiFi 6 in 2019. Other vendors include Broadcom, Intel, Cypress, Marvell, Asus, Dell, Apple, and Ruckus, among others.
WiFi 6: Key Takeaways
WiFi 6 is the WiFi Alliance term for IEEE 802.11ax, and is the newest and current WiFi specification standard, coming after WiFi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac).
It promises better connectivity, faster network speeds, and support for multiple devices running concurrently on one network.
It operates between the 1 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, focusing between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
The WiFi Alliance certifies devices and networks as WiFi 6 capable, based on the standards it and IEEE set.
