802.11ak - Bridging Enhancements and Backhaul Support ========================================================= .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: 802_11ak/802_11ak 802_11ak/mac_functions 802_11ak/mac_timings 802_11ak/packet_formats 802_11ak/power_save 802_11ak/interoperability 802_11ak/physical_rates 802_11ak/ppdu 802_11ak/channels 802_11ak/PHYs IEEE 802.11ak defines enhanced wireless bridging and backhaul protocols for efficient and reliable integration of Wi-Fi access points with wired networks in large-scale deployments. .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Category - Description - Use Case * - MAC Functions - Introduces MAC enhancements to support deterministic, low-latency communications and enhanced reliability. - Enabling industrial IoT and time-sensitive applications requiring precise timing and low jitter. * - MAC Timings - Defines strict timing requirements for frame exchanges, including scheduled access and guaranteed time slots. - Supporting applications with stringent latency and synchronization needs, like factory automation. * - Packet Formats - Specifies new frame types and extensions for scheduling, synchronization, and reliability features. - Facilitating efficient control and coordination of devices in deterministic wireless networks. * - Power Save - Provides mechanisms to reduce power consumption while meeting real-time constraints. - Extending battery life for industrial sensors and actuators with periodic low-power states. * - Interoperability - Designed to coexist and interoperate with legacy 802.11 standards while adding deterministic features. - Enabling smooth integration of deterministic wireless with traditional Wi-Fi networks. * - Physical Rates - Utilizes existing PHYs (e.g., OFDM) with enhancements to support deterministic timing and reliability. - Achieving low-latency data rates suitable for industrial and real-time applications. * - PPDU - Incorporates PHY-level support for scheduled transmissions and acknowledgment mechanisms. - Ensuring reliable frame delivery within strict timing constraints. * - Channels - Employs channel management techniques to minimize interference and guarantee channel availability. - Supporting coexistence in dense industrial environments with predictable channel access. * - PHY Overview - Builds on standard 802.11 PHY layers, augmenting them with features for deterministic operation. - Providing robust physical layer performance tailored for time-sensitive wireless communications. .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak (Deterministic WLAN) **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Introduces enhancements for deterministic and low-latency wireless LAN communications - Supports scheduled channel access and time synchronization for reliable transmission - Enables low jitter and high reliability for industrial and time-sensitive applications - Provides mechanisms for precise timing control and traffic scheduling - Enhances coexistence with legacy Wi-Fi standards while adding deterministic features - Facilitates wireless communication in factory automation, robotics, and control systems **Use Cases:** - Industrial IoT networks requiring ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) - Factory automation with synchronized and scheduled wireless operations - Time-critical applications such as robotics, motion control, and real-time sensing - Wireless control systems in harsh, dense environments demanding predictable performance **Related Concepts:** - Scheduled channel access and transmission opportunity (TXOP) enhancements - Time synchronization and timing accuracy improvements - Low-latency and high-reliability PHY and MAC features - Deterministic wireless networking for industrial environments .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the deterministic communication enhancements of 802.11ak:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section <802_11ak_step1>` * :ref:`Terminology <802_11ak_step2>` * :ref:`Version Info <802_11ak_step3>` * :ref:`802_11ak Version & IEEE Details <802_11ak_step4>` * :ref:`802_11k Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <802_11ak_step5>` * :ref:`802_11k Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <802_11ak_step6>` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/802_11ak.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak Basics" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak MAC Functions **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Enhances MAC layer to support deterministic and scheduled channel access - Implements precise transmission scheduling for low-latency and high-reliability - Coordinates timing-sensitive MAC operations across multiple devices - Supports time-aware traffic management and priority handling - Integrates with PHY for synchronized transmissions and interference mitigation - Enables robust MAC protocols for industrial and automation networks **Use Cases:** - Ensuring guaranteed transmission opportunities in factory WLANs - Supporting time-critical data exchange in industrial IoT systems - Coordinating multi-device communication with minimal collision and delay **Related Functions:** - Scheduled access and controlled TXOP allocation - MAC-layer time synchronization protocols - Priority-based transmission queuing - Deterministic MAC signaling for reliable wireless control .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Delve into 802.11ak MAC Function enhancements for deterministic Wi-Fi:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/mac_functions.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak MAC Functions" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak MAC Timings **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Defines precise timing controls for scheduled and synchronized transmissions - Introduces timing synchronization protocols ensuring sub-millisecond accuracy - Coordinates deterministic transmission windows to minimize latency and jitter - Manages timing offsets between devices for collision-free communication - Supports seamless handoff timing for continuous real-time operation - Adapts classical interframe spaces (SIFS, DIFS) to deterministic scheduling requirements **Use Cases:** - Achieving ultra-low latency communication in industrial wireless control - Synchronizing transmission schedules across complex wireless systems - Minimizing jitter and delay in time-sensitive automation applications **Related Timing Parameters:** - Scheduled TXOP start and end times - Timing synchronization message intervals - Deterministic transmission window durations - Timing coordination for multi-node networks .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Understand the timing precision and synchronization mechanisms in 802.11ak:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/mac_timings.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak MAC Timings" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak Packet Formats **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Introduces new MAC frame formats to support deterministic and scheduled access - Defines Control and Management frames for time-aware transmission coordination - Supports extended Action frames for synchronization and scheduling information - Uses flexible TLV (Type-Length-Value) encoding for scalable data representation - Enhances frame headers to carry timing and priority parameters - Maintains backward compatibility while adding new fields for deterministic operations **Use Cases:** - Exchanging scheduling and timing data between APs and stations - Coordinating transmission slots to guarantee latency and reliability - Supporting industrial-grade deterministic Wi-Fi communication **Related Frame Types:** - Scheduled Control frames - Time Synchronization Action frames - Deterministic Transmission Request/Grant frames - Management frames with timing and priority extensions .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Discover the detailed packet format enhancements introduced by 802.11ak:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/packet_formats.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak Packet Formats" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak Power Saving Mechanisms **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Implements advanced power management aligned with deterministic scheduling - Allows devices to enter low-power states during off-transmission windows - Coordinates sleep/wake cycles with scheduled TXOPs to minimize idle listening - Supports fine-grained power control for time-sensitive industrial applications - Reduces overall energy consumption without sacrificing latency or reliability - Integrates with MAC timing mechanisms for precise power state transitions **Use Cases:** - Extending battery life in industrial IoT wireless devices - Enabling energy-efficient communication in deterministic WLANs - Supporting predictable power states aligned with strict timing requirements **Related Mechanisms:** - Scheduled sleep/wake coordination - Transmission window-based power control - Power state signaling integrated with deterministic MAC .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore power saving innovations and scheduling interplay in 802.11ak:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/power_save.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak Power Saving Mechanisms" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak Interoperability **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Designed to interoperate with existing 802.11 standards while introducing deterministic features - Supports coexistence with legacy 802.11 devices without impacting their operations - Uses standard management and control frame extensions to signal 802.11ak capabilities - Allows incremental adoption in mixed networks combining deterministic and traditional Wi-Fi - Enables fallback to legacy Wi-Fi modes when deterministic scheduling is not supported - Ensures backward compatibility while adding enhancements for industrial applications **Use Cases:** - Deploying deterministic Wi-Fi alongside legacy clients in industrial environments - Seamless network upgrades without disrupting legacy device connectivity - Supporting vendor-neutral coexistence and phased implementation strategies **Related Mechanisms:** - Capability negotiation through extended management frames - Controlled coexistence of scheduled and unscheduled traffic - Hybrid operation modes combining deterministic and legacy behaviors .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Understand 802.11ak interoperability approaches and coexistence methods:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/interoperability.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak Interoperability" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak Physical Rates **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Utilizes underlying physical layers from 802.11 standards (e.g., 802.11ax, 802.11ac) - Focuses on deterministic scheduling over existing PHY rate sets without introducing new rates - Supports dynamic adaptation of PHY rates based on deterministic traffic demands - Enhances rate selection using time-aware scheduling to meet latency and reliability targets - Integrates PHY rate control with deterministic MAC-layer transmission coordination - Enables optimized physical rate usage aligned with industrial QoS requirements **Use Cases:** - Maintaining robust physical rate performance in deterministic Wi-Fi deployments - Meeting strict latency and throughput requirements via coordinated rate adaptation - Supporting real-time industrial communications without compromising PHY efficiency **Related Concepts:** - Integration of deterministic scheduling with PHY rate control - PHY rate adaptation influenced by time-aware MAC layer decisions - Leveraging existing modulation schemes for scheduled transmissions .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore how 802.11ak leverages PHY rates for deterministic wireless:** * :ref:`physical_rates in 802.11ak ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/physical_rates.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak Physical Rates" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak PPDU **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Builds upon existing PPDU formats from underlying PHY layers (e.g., 802.11ax) - Retains standard PPDU structure while enabling deterministic scheduling features - Integrates time-sensitive information within MAC frames carried in the PPDU - Supports precise timing and scheduling metadata to ensure low-latency transmissions - Maintains compatibility with legacy PHY signaling while adding deterministic overlays - Enables robust synchronization and resource allocation at the PHY level **Use Cases:** - Carrying scheduled and deterministic MAC frames within standard PPDU structure - Supporting industrial applications requiring ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) - Facilitating coexistence of deterministic and legacy traffic within the same PPDU **Related Concepts:** - Deterministic MAC frame encapsulation within PPDU - Timing and synchronization signaling for scheduled transmissions - PHY-layer support for real-time wireless industrial networks .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ak PPDU structure and capabilities:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/ppdu.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak PPDU" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak Channels **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Uses existing 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands as per underlying PHY standards (e.g., 802.11ax) - Supports channel allocations aligned with deterministic scheduling requirements - Enables enhanced channel utilization reporting for scheduled traffic management - Does not redefine channel widths but optimizes channel usage for industrial deterministic WLAN - Facilitates precise channel access timing to reduce collisions and interference - Supports dynamic channel selection guided by time-aware resource allocation **Use Cases:** - Managing channels for deterministic and time-sensitive industrial applications - Reducing channel congestion and interference in mixed deterministic/legacy networks - Enhancing spectrum efficiency through coordinated channel access **Related Concepts:** - Channel assignment and scheduling - Channel load and interference measurement - Integration with deterministic MAC scheduling for channel access .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ak Channels and their usage:** * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/channels.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak Channels" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ak PHY **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ak (2020) **Main Features:** - Builds upon PHY features of 802.11ax and subsequent amendments with deterministic extensions - Supports enhanced physical layer capabilities for low-latency and reliable communications - Uses PHY mechanisms to enable time-sensitive measurements and scheduling - Retains modulation schemes (OFDM/OFDMA) but adds deterministic resource units (RUs) - Enables PHY-layer support for precise timing, synchronization, and channel access - Facilitates improved PHY feedback for deterministic MAC and network management **Use Cases:** - Supporting ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) in industrial Wi-Fi - PHY-based timing and resource measurement for scheduled transmissions - Enhancing PHY efficiency for deterministic wireless applications **Related Concepts:** - PHY enhancements for deterministic operation - Time-aware resource units (RUs) and scheduling - Link quality and interference measurement at PHY - Integration with deterministic MAC layer features .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ak PHY enhancements and usage:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11ak/PHYs.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ak PHY"