Wi-Fi modules for industrial and IoT applications

Wi-Fi standards are a set of technical specifications developed by the IEEE to define how wireless networks communicate. These standards ensure that different devices and routers from various manufacturers are compatible with each other. Without these standards, it would be challenging to achieve reliable and secure wireless connections. They also help improve the speed, range, and efficiency of Wi-Fi networks as technology evolves. As new standards are developed, users benefit from enhanced performance and better overall network experience.

The “802.11” designation represents a family of wireless networking standards created by the IEEE specifically for Wi-Fi technology. Different suffixes such as b, g, n, ac, ax and be indicate different generations or versions of the technology, each with improvements in speed, range, or capacity. For example, 802.11b was one of the first widely adopted standards, while 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) is one of the latest. Each new version builds on the previous one, adding features to better handle demanding modern wireless needs.

Currently, the most widely used Wi-Fi standards are 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), and 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7). Wi-Fi 4 introduced better speed and support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Wi-Fi 5 further increased speeds and optimised performance on the 5 GHz band, making it suitable for streaming and gaming. Wi-Fi 6 brings major enhancements such as higher throughput, improved efficiency in crowded areas, and better battery life for connected devices. Some newer devices also support Wi-Fi 6E, which expands Wi-Fi 6 into the 6 GHz band for more available channels.

Wi-Fi 6 is designed to deliver faster internet speeds, especially in environments with many connected devices like offices, stadiums, and homes with smart gadgets. It introduces technologies such as OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) and improved MU-MIMO that allow multiple devices to communicate simultaneously more efficiently. Additionally, Wi-Fi 6 includes enhancements for lower latency and better power management through Target Wake Time (TWT). These improvements make the network more reliable and energy-efficient. Overall, it provides a substantial upgrade in both speed and capacity compared to Wi-Fi 5.

Wi-Fi 5, or 802.11ac, significantly outperforms Wi-Fi 4 by supporting speeds up to several gigabits per second, primarily operating in the 5 GHz band to reduce interference common in 2.4 GHz. It also introduced MU-MIMO technology, which allows routers to communicate with multiple devices at once, improving network efficiency. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 4 operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz but offers slower data rates and does not support MU-MIMO to the same extent. The advancements in Wi-Fi 5 make it better suited for bandwidth-intensive applications like 4K video streaming and online gaming.

Wi-Fi commonly operates on two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band offers longer range but is more prone to interference from other household devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth gadgets. The 5 GHz band provides faster speeds and is less congested, but has a shorter range and weaker ability to penetrate walls. Newer standards like Wi-Fi 6E expand Wi-Fi into the 6 GHz band, which offers even more channels and reduced interference. The availability of multiple bands allows devices and routers to choose the best possible connection based on location and network demand.

The 2.4 GHz band is one of the most commonly used frequency bands not only for Wi-Fi but also for many household devices, which leads to heavy congestion. Devices like microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth devices all operate on or near the 2.4 GHz frequency, creating interference. This overcrowding can slow down Wi-Fi speeds and cause unstable connections. Moreover, 2.4 GHz signals travel farther and penetrate walls better, which means signals from neighbouring Wi-Fi networks can also interfere. For these reasons, the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands are often preferred for higher performance.

MU-MIMO stands for Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output. It is a technology that allows a Wi-Fi router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously instead of one at a time. This boosts the efficiency and speed of the network, especially when many devices are connected. MU-MIMO was introduced with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and has been improved further in Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax). It’s particularly beneficial in environments with heavy Wi-Fi traffic, such as homes with many smart devices or public spaces like airports.

Wi-Fi 6 introduces a feature called Target Wake Time (TWT), which helps connected devices schedule specific times to wake up and communicate with the router. By allowing devices to remain in a low-power sleep mode for longer periods, TWT reduces the energy consumed by their Wi-Fi radios. This is especially useful for battery-operated devices like smartphones, laptops, and IoT gadgets. Reduced energy consumption means longer battery life, which is a big advantage for mobile users. In addition to power savings, TWT also helps reduce network congestion by organising data transmissions more efficiently.

Yes, Wi-Fi standards are designed to be backward compatible. This means older devices that support earlier standards (such as Wi-Fi 4 or Wi-Fi 5) will still be able to connect to routers using newer standards like Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7. However, these older devices won’t benefit from the enhanced speeds, lower latency, or improved features of the newer standards. To fully experience the advantages of Wi-Fi 6 or 7, both the router and the device must support the respective standard. Backward compatibility helps maintain connectivity even as networks are upgraded.

Newer Wi-Fi standards often include updated security protocols to protect wireless data transmissions. For example, Wi-Fi 6 commonly supports WPA3, the latest Wi-Fi security protocol, which offers stronger encryption and better protection against hacking attempts compared to WPA2 used in older standards. Using up-to-date standards and security protocols helps safeguard personal information and prevent unauthorised access to your network. It’s important to upgrade not only your hardware but also firmware to benefit from the latest security improvements. Ensuring your network uses strong encryption is critical for safe wireless communication.

OFDMA, or Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access, is a technology introduced in Wi-Fi 6 that allows a router to divide a channel into smaller sub-channels and allocate them to different devices. This enables multiple devices to transmit data simultaneously over a single channel. OFDMA significantly improves network efficiency and reduces latency by reducing contention among devices for access to the channel. As a result, it’s especially beneficial in environments with a large number of connected devices, such as public venues or smart homes. Wi-Fi 7 is also to further refine OFDMA capabilities to handle even more devices and demanding applications.

Wi-Fi 7 aims to reduce latency significantly compared to previous standards like Wi-Fi 6. It will utilise advanced schedulers to organize and prioritize data transmissions, ensuring that time-critical applications like online gaming or virtual reality receive prioritized access to the network. This focus on low latency, combined with faster data rates and better channel utilization, will make Wi-Fi 7 particularly suitable for real-time applications where responsiveness is crucial. Additionally, features like enhanced multi-link operations will help maintain consistent performance even in crowded environments.

Physical barriers like walls, floors, and furniture can significantly weaken Wi-Fi signals and reduce network performance. Different materials can have varying effects—wood and drywall might cause minimal interference, while concrete and metal can severely attenuate signals. Positioning Wi-Fi routers centrally and using range extenders or mesh networks can help mitigate these issues by providing more coverage and maintaining signal strength in areas blocked by physical obstacles. Regularly testing your network for signal strength in different locations helps identify and address weak spots effectively.

Mesh networking is a technology that involves using multiple nodes (rather than a single router) to distribute your network, providing coverage throughout your home or business by rebroadcasting the signal from one node to the next. While mesh networking is not a Wi-Fi standard itself, it works seamlessly with various Wi-Fi standards (like Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6). Mesh systems can adapt to different standards as long as all nodes support them, allowing for flexible upgrades as new Wi-Fi technologies emerge. By expanding coverage and ensuring a strong signal throughout the area, mesh systems enhance the user experience when using the latest Wi-Fi standards.

WPA3 is the latest security protocol for Wi-Fi networks, intended to replace WPA2. It offers several important enhancements aimed at protecting users from potential security threats. For instance, WPA3 includes better encryption, improved protection against brute-force attacks (such as those using devices to try many passwords), and additional safeguards against eavesdropping and data tampering. WPA3 also supports easier, more secure password management through features like WPA3’s Wi-Fi Easy Connect, which simplifies setting up secure devices without complex passwords. Using WPA3 is highly recommended for maintaining the security of your wireless network.