802.11k - Radio Resource Management ====================================== .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: 802_11k/802_11k 802_11k/mac_functions 802_11k/mac_timings 802_11k/packet_formats 802_11k/power_save 802_11k/interoperability 802_11k/physical_rates 802_11k/ppdu 802_11k/channels 802_11k/PHYs 802.11k is a Wi‑Fi standard that enables devices to gather and share radio and network information to assist in faster and more efficient roaming. .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Category - Description - Use Case * - MAC Functions - Provides mechanisms for radio measurements like neighbor reports, beacon reports, and link measurements. - Assisting devices in selecting the best access point for roaming * - MAC Timings - Includes timing info in reports such as beacon timing and channel load durations. - Improving roaming decisions by understanding AP activity patterns * - Packet Formats - Introduces new frame types and fields for measurement requests and reports. - Exchanging detailed radio environment information between STA and AP * - Power Save - Enables intelligent roaming decisions to avoid unnecessary scans, saving power. - Reducing energy consumption while maintaining connectivity quality * - Interoperability - Designed to coexist with other 802.11 standards including 802.11e and 802.11r. - Enhancing client experience in mixed-network environments * - Physical Rates - PHY rates unchanged; relies on underlying PHY but helps optimize their use. - Supporting better rate adaptation and handover decisions * - PPDU - No changes to PPDU; MAC enhancements provide measurement data only. - Maintaining PHY transparency while improving network awareness * - Channels - Gathers usage data across channels including noise, utilization, and load. - Assisting with dynamic channel selection and load balancing * - PHY Overview - Built on existing PHY layers; adds measurement capabilities to support PHY efficiency. - Enabling smarter client decisions and optimized wireless coverage .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k (Radio Resource Management) **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Introduces mechanisms for radio resource measurement in Wi-Fi networks - Provides Neighbor Reports, Beacon Reports, and Link Measurements - Helps clients make informed decisions about roaming and AP selection - Enables access points to guide stations to less congested channels - Works with other standards like 802.11r and 802.11v for seamless mobility - Optimizes load balancing and improves spectrum efficiency **Use Cases:** - Fast and seamless roaming in enterprise Wi-Fi environments - Optimizing network performance in dense deployments - Load balancing across access points - Signal quality-aware roaming in mesh or multi-AP networks **Related Concepts:** - Beacon and channel load reporting - Link measurement frames - Neighbor list maintenance - Assisted roaming (in conjunction with 802.11r and 802.11v) - Radio Resource Measurement (RRM) .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the RRM enhancements of 802.11k:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section <802_11k_step1>` * :ref:`Terminology <802_11k_step2>` * :ref:`Version Info <802_11k_step3>` * :ref:`802_11k Version&IEEE Details <802_11k_step4>` * :ref:`802_11k Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <802_11k_step5>` * :ref:`802_11k Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <802_11k_step6>` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/802_11k.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k Basics" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k MAC Functions **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Enhances MAC layer with radio resource management (RRM) capabilities - Enables measurement reporting for channel load, noise, and signal strength - Facilitates intelligent roaming decisions through neighbor reports - Supports beacon reporting and link measurement for better AP selection - Improves overall WLAN performance by enabling informed client behavior - Works in coordination with the physical layer to monitor and optimize RF conditions **Use Cases:** - Assisting clients in selecting optimal access points - Enhancing roaming performance and reducing disconnections - Managing network load by monitoring channel utilization **Related Functions:** - Beacon report, link measurement, and neighbor report - Channel load and noise histogram reporting - RRM frame formats and MAC signaling enhancements - Support for intelligent network steering and mobility .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k MAC Functions:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/mac_functions.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k MAC Functions" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k MAC Timings **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Introduces timing mechanisms to support Radio Resource Management (RRM) - Defines timing for measurement request/report exchanges between STA and AP - Coordinates timing of Beacon Reports and Neighbor Reports - Schedules link measurements based on AP directives - Uses standard interframe timing (e.g., SIFS, DIFS), but synchronized for RRM operations - Ensures time-bounded delivery of measurement frames to optimize roaming **Use Cases:** - Timely coordination of client measurements to aid AP selection - Synchronizing link and beacon measurements for roaming decisions - Optimizing WLAN performance with scheduled resource reporting **Related Timing Parameters:** - Measurement Request/Report intervals - Timing for Beacon Report collection - Link measurement timing - Frame exchange intervals (SIFS/DIFS) adapted for RRM data .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k MAC Timings:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/mac_timings.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k MAC Timings" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k Packet Formats **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Adds new frame types for measurement and reporting at the MAC layer - Includes Measurement Request and Measurement Report frame formats - Extends Action frames to support RRM operations (e.g., Beacon, Link, Neighbor Reports) - Maintains compatibility with legacy MAC frame formats - Encodes timing and measurement data in structured subfields within Action frames - Supports TLV (Type-Length-Value) formats for flexible information exchange **Use Cases:** - Structuring data exchange for channel load, noise, and beacon reports - Facilitating roaming and handoff through Neighbor Report frames - Interoperable signaling of link quality and environmental context **Related Frame Types:** - Action Frames (Category: Radio Measurement) - Measurement Request/Report frames - Beacon Report, Channel Load Report, Noise Histogram Report - Neighbor Report frames .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k Packet Formats:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/packet_formats.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k Packet Formats" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k Power Saving Mechanisms **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Supports intelligent power management through measurement-based decision making - Enables stations to perform measurements and enter power-saving modes during low activity - Reduces unnecessary active periods by optimizing AP selection using RRM data - Helps clients avoid scanning full channels by using Neighbor Reports - Uses Beacon Reports and Channel Load Reports to guide efficient roaming and power usage - Complements legacy PSM by improving efficiency during roaming and measurement cycles **Use Cases:** - Power-aware roaming in mobile and IoT devices - Reducing energy usage in enterprise networks with intelligent AP selection - Supporting energy-efficient operation without frequent full-channel scans **Related Mechanisms:** - Measurement Request/Report (RRM) based power logic - Efficient Neighbor List utilization for roaming - Scheduled measurement operations aligned with power states .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k Power Saving mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/power_save.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k Power Saving" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k Interoperability **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Fully backward-compatible with legacy 802.11 (a/b/g/n) devices - Uses standard Action frames to ensure coexistence with non-802.11k clients - Measurement reporting is optional and handled via management frame negotiation - Devices without 802.11k capabilities can still function normally in the same network - Enables incremental adoption across enterprise and consumer deployments - Interoperable mechanisms are built on top of standard 802.11 MAC/PHY operations **Use Cases:** - Seamless deployment of 802.11k in existing networks with older client devices - Vendor-agnostic support for Radio Resource Management in mixed device environments - Supporting 802.11k-capable clients without breaking legacy connectivity **Related Mechanisms:** - Action frame-based RRM communication - Capability negotiation via management frames - Mixed-mode operation with measurement fallback .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k Interoperability mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/interoperability.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k Interoperability" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k Physical Rates **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Inherits physical rates from base standards like 802.11a/b/g/n - Focuses on measurement-based optimization rather than defining new physical rates - Uses existing modulation schemes (DSSS, OFDM) based on deployed PHY - Enables dynamic rate selection via link and channel quality reports - Physical rate selection is influenced by channel load and neighbor reports - Helps devices adapt transmission rates based on real-time radio conditions **Use Cases:** - Optimizing transmission rate using measurement data from RRM - Enhancing performance in dynamic RF environments - Supporting smart roaming decisions by considering PHY-layer metrics **Related Concepts:** - Radio Resource Management (RRM) - Channel Load and PHY statistics - Rate adaptation based on environment feedback .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k Physical Rates:** * :ref:`physical_rates in 802.11k ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/physical_rates.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k Physical Rates" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k PPDU **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Leverages the standard PPDU structure from existing PHY layers (802.11a/b/g/n) - PPDU format itself remains unchanged; focus is on measurement and reporting mechanisms - Transmits Radio Measurement reports and requests as part of MAC frames within the PPDU - PPDU includes physical-layer preamble, header, and data payload as defined by base standard - Enables PHY-level data collection for better channel and transmission planning - Maintains backward compatibility while allowing PHY-aware optimizations **Use Cases:** - Carrying radio measurement frames for channel and neighbor discovery - Supporting PHY-level feedback in management frames - Using existing PPDU structure to support 802.11k RRM features **Related Concepts:** - Radio Measurement Request/Report frames - PHY-MAC integration for resource optimization - Baseband signaling and synchronization through preambles .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k PPDU:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/ppdu.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k PPDU" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k Channels **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Inherits channel structure from base PHY standards (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n) - Operates in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands depending on underlying PHY - Does not introduce new channel plans but utilizes them for measurement purposes - Enables reporting of channel load, noise, and usage statistics - Assists in optimized channel selection and management using real-time metrics - Facilitates improved roaming and spectrum efficiency via radio measurements **Use Cases:** - Collecting real-time channel statistics for RRM - Selecting the best operating channel to avoid congestion - Supporting intelligent roaming and load balancing in WLANs **Related Concepts:** - Channel Load Report - Beacon Report and Neighbor Report - Noise Histogram Measurements - PHY-layer inheritance from 802.11a/b/g/n .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k Channels:** * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/channels.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k Channels" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k PHY **Standard:** IEEE 802.11k (2008) **Main Features:** - Focuses on Radio Resource Management (RRM) at MAC level while relying on existing PHY standards - Inherits PHY characteristics from 802.11a/b/g/n depending on device capability - PHY is used to gather measurements such as channel load, noise, signal strength, etc. - Measurement frames are transmitted using standard PHY-layer mechanisms - No changes introduced to PHY modulation schemes or coding rates - Enables intelligent network decisions based on PHY-level environmental feedback **Use Cases:** - Collecting PHY data for load balancing and smart roaming - Enhancing spectrum usage efficiency in enterprise WLANs - Supporting RRM functionalities like neighbor reports and beacon measurements **Related Concepts:** - Radio Measurement (RM) functionality over PHY - Beacon Request and Report frames - PHY-layer inheritance from 802.11a/b/g/n - Channel and signal quality analysis .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11k PHY and measurement usage:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11k/PHYs.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k PHY"