The Evolution and Progress of Wireless Standards
In the late 1990s, one of the first wireless standards was born. You may remember IEEE 802.11b – the first wireless LAN standard to be widely adopted and incorporated into computers and laptops. A few years later came IEEE 802.11g, which offered signal transmission over relatively short distances at speeds of up to 54 Mbps. Both standards operated in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz frequency range. In 2009, IEEE 802.11n (which operated in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency ranges) was a big step up. It provided anytime wireless access and was the de facto standard for mobile users.
Understanding wireless technology and standards like these is key to making sure you’re investing in technology and equipment that can support your organization’s short-term and long-term network-connection requirements. Wireless standards layout specific specifications that must be followed when hardware or software are designed related to those standards.
Now that we’ve covered the major wireless standards of the past, let’s look ahead at current standards – and what’s yet to come.
General-Purpose Applications
Today’s wireless standards, like IEEE 802.11ac (Wave 1 and Wave 2), operate in the 5 GHz frequency range. This standard is used for many general-purpose, short-range, multi-user applications, like connecting end devices to networks.
As we’ve mentioned in previous blogs, IEEE 802.11ax is the “next big thing” in terms of wireless standards. As the successor to 802.11ac, 802.11ax operates in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency spectrums. It will offer 10G speeds, and the ability for multiple people to use one network simultaneously with fewer connectivity problems (and while still maintaining fast connection speeds). It will improve average throughput per user by a factor of at least four as compared to 802.11ac Wave 1.
High-Performance Applications
Operating at an unlicensed frequency of 60 GHz are IEEE 802.11ad and IEEE 802.11ay, which are used primarily for short-range, point-to-point applications vs. point-to-multipoint applications. 802.11ay is an update to 802.11ad, improving throughput and range. As compared to 802.11ad, 802.11ay can offer speeds between 20Gbps and 40Gbps, as well as an improved range.
IoT Applications
Operating at lower frequencies are standards like 802.11af (UHF/VHF) and 802.11ah (915 MHz). These standards are designed for extended-range applications, like connecting hundreds of remote Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and devices. They’re also used in rural areas.
Because they operate in lower-frequency ranges, they’re able to offer extended operational ranges. They can carry signals for miles, but have a low throughput of 350 Mbps.
Common Wireless Protocols
Along with wireless standards come wireless protocols, which detail certain information about wireless signals (addressing format, number of bits used, etc.). You can almost think of them as different wireless languages.
The majority of today’s wireless protocols are being designed and used for IoT applications (sensors and controls) and include protocols like Bluetooth, Zigbee and 6LoWPAN. There are also licensed wireless protocols being used, such as LTE and Sigfox.
With all of these wireless protocols available, the Wi-Fi Alliance has recognized a need for establishing wireless-protocol standardization. The organization is focused on interoperability, adoption and evolution of wireless. As wireless becomes even more prolific in smart buildings and IoT applications, we’ll keep an eye on what the Wi-Fi Alliance focuses on – and what its suggestions are for standardization.
To learn more about wireless standards, or about how to make sure you’ve got the equipment and infrastructure in place to support next-generation wireless standards, contact Belden – our team of digital buildings experts is here to help.
About the Author
Ron Tellas is a subject-matter expert in RF design and Electromagnetic Propagation and joined Belden in 2016 to help define the roadmap of technology and applications in the Smart Building. He now takes these experiences to incorporate systems, equipment and connectivity into network solutions. Ron represents Belden in several standards organizations, committees of the National Electrical Code and as a board member of the FMP Alliance. He has a master and bachelor degrees in electrical engineering, a master in business administration and the inventor of 17 US patents. Ron is a proud recipient of the 2024 Harry J. Pfister award for his outstanding and impactful contributions to the Telecommunications Industry.