802.11aq - Pre-Association Discovery ======================================== .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: 802_11aq/802_11aq 802_11aq/mac_functions 802_11aq/mac_timings 802_11aq/packet_formats 802_11aq/power_save 802_11aq/interoperability 802_11aq/physical_rates 802_11aq/ppdu 802_11aq/channels 802_11aq/PHYs 802.11aq is a Wi-Fi protocol amendment that enables pre-association service discovery, allowing devices to discover available services before connecting to a network. .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Category - Description - Use Case * - MAC Functions - Enhancements to MAC layer to support pre-association service discovery. - Allowing devices to discover network services before connecting * - MAC Timings - Adjusted MAC operations to enable timely service discovery frames. - Efficient coordination of discovery messages during scanning * - Packet Formats - New or modified frame types to carry service discovery information. - Structured communication of service availability to clients * - Power Save - Support for low-power discovery without full association. - Enables energy-efficient scanning for services * - Interoperability - Designed to be compatible with existing 802.11 infrastructure. - Allows integration with legacy devices and networks * - Physical Rates - Utilizes underlying PHY capabilities of the base 802.11 standard. - Ensures flexible deployment across various PHY implementations * - PPDU - No changes to the PPDU format; leverages existing PHY layer structures. - Maintains compatibility while enabling new MAC-level features * - Channels - Operates over channels available in host PHY (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz with 802.11ax). - Uses existing spectrum allocations without adding new channel plans * - PHY Overview - No physical layer changes; works over any existing PHY such as 802.11ac or ax. - Focuses on MAC-level service advertisement without PHY modifications .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq (Pre-association Discovery) **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Enables pre-association service discovery in Wi-Fi networks - Allows clients to discover available services before associating - Improves network selection and user experience - Supports efficient browsing of network capabilities - Reduces connection setup time by pre-fetching service info **Use Cases:** - Enterprise and public Wi-Fi hotspots with multiple services - IoT devices needing quick service discovery - Network operators providing differentiated services - Smart environments with dynamic service advertisement **Related Concepts:** - Access Point Service Discovery (APSD) - Service Advertisement Protocol (SAP) - Pre-association queries and responses - Integration with IEEE 802.11 management frames - Enhancements to roaming and network selection processes .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the capabilities and mechanisms of 802.11aq:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section <802_11aq_step1>` * :ref:`Terminology <802_11aq_step2>` * :ref:`Version Info <802_11aq_step3>` * :ref:`802_11aq Version&IEEE Details <802_11aq_step4>` * :ref:`802_11aq Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <802_11aq_step5>` * :ref:`802_11aq Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <802_11aq_step6>` * :ref:`Reference links <802_11aq_step16>` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/802_11aq.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq Basics" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq MAC Functions **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Enhances MAC functionality for pre-association service discovery - Allows devices to discover available services before connecting - Supports extended service advertisements in Wi-Fi networks - Works with existing MAC mechanisms to provide seamless service awareness - Helps IoT and mobile devices find context-relevant services faster - Integrates with higher-layer protocols to advertise network capabilities **Use Cases:** - Enabling pre-association service discovery in public Wi-Fi - Supporting smart city and IoT applications needing early service context - Improving user experience by reducing time-to-service **Related Functions:** - Service advertisement frameworks - Information Elements (IEs) used in Beacon and Probe Response frames - MAC-layer enhancements for non-associated service access - Compatibility with legacy 802.11 MAC operations .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq MAC Functions:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/mac_functions.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq MAC Functions" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq MAC Timings **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Introduces timing considerations for pre-association service discovery - Maintains compatibility with existing 802.11 MAC timing mechanisms - Coordinates timing of service advertisements using standard intervals - Leverages existing Interframe Spaces (SIFS, DIFS) for media access - Ensures reliable and timely discovery of services before association - Synchronizes service delivery with beacon/probe frame timing **Use Cases:** - Timing service announcements for unassociated clients - Enhancing responsiveness in IoT and mobile discovery scenarios - Coordinating efficient service discovery in dense Wi-Fi environments **Related Timing Parameters:** - Short Interframe Space (SIFS) - Distributed Interframe Space (DIFS) - Timing of Beacon and Probe Response frames - Contention window timing for service-based access .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq MAC Timings:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/mac_timings.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq MAC Timings" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq Packet Formats **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Extends standard 802.11 frame formats to support service discovery - Adds new Information Elements (IEs) to management frames (e.g., Beacons, Probe Responses) - Ensures backward compatibility with legacy frame structures - Leverages existing MAC and PHY headers defined in prior amendments - Enables pre-association advertisement of services via standardized frame fields - Maintains support for QoS and security features within extended frames **Use Cases:** - Broadcasting service availability information before client association - Embedding metadata in Wi-Fi frames to support smarter device behavior - Supporting seamless connectivity in IoT and mobile-first environments **Related Frame Types:** - Management frames (e.g., Beacon with Service Discovery IE) - Probe Request/Response frames with extended service data - Data and Control frames reused without modification .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq Packet Formats:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/packet_formats.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq Packet Formats" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq Power Saving Mechanisms **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Builds on legacy Power Save Mode (PSM) with enhancements for service discovery - Optimizes timing and power use during pre-association phases - Enables unassociated clients to conserve energy while listening for service advertisements - Extends use of Beacon and Probe Response timing to minimize wake duration - Integrates with Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) and Traffic Indication Map (TIM) - Facilitates efficient discovery while maintaining low power profiles in IoT devices **Use Cases:** - Reducing energy use during service discovery for mobile and IoT clients - Supporting low-power Wi-Fi devices in smart environments - Improving pre-association efficiency without sacrificing battery life **Related Mechanisms:** - TIM and DTIM fields used for service announcement coordination - Extended sleep intervals for passive discovery - Efficient scanning strategies for low-duty-cycle devices .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq Power Saving mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/power_save.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq Power Saving" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq Interoperability **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Ensures compatibility across devices implementing pre-association service discovery - Supports coexistence with legacy 802.11 standards and dual-band operations - Defines standardized service advertisement formats for seamless integration - Uses common MAC and PHY layer procedures to maintain interoperability - Implements clear channel assessment (CCA) and CSMA/CA for media coordination - Facilitates coexistence with other wireless systems sharing the 2.4/5 GHz bands **Use Cases:** - Enabling multi-vendor deployments supporting 802.11aq service discovery - Supporting seamless roaming and handoff in mixed-standard Wi-Fi networks - Allowing legacy and new devices to operate harmoniously in overlapping bands **Related Mechanisms:** - Standardized management and service discovery frame formats - Frequency band coordination and coexistence mechanisms - Unified PHY and MAC procedures for interoperability .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq Interoperability mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/interoperability.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq Interoperability" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq Physical Rates **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Builds on existing physical layer rates defined in legacy 802.11 standards - Supports OFDM modulation with rates compatible with 802.11a/n/ac where applicable - Focuses primarily on MAC layer enhancements; physical rates remain aligned with underlying PHY - Operates in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands depending on deployment scenario - Enables efficient pre-association service discovery without impacting PHY performance - Adapts to channel conditions using legacy rate adaptation schemes **Use Cases:** - Maintaining PHY data rates while adding service discovery capabilities - Supporting seamless integration with existing Wi-Fi physical layers - Enabling high-throughput wireless connections alongside enhanced service features **Related Concepts:** - Rate adaptation and modulation coding schemes (MCS) - Channel bandwidth and frequency allocation - Integration of PHY rates with MAC-layer service discovery .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq Physical Rates:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/physical_rates.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq Physical Rates" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq PPDU **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Builds on the existing 802.11 PHY PPDU structure without altering base format - Includes legacy preamble for synchronization and channel estimation - Utilizes SIGNAL field consistent with 802.11a/n/ac standards to indicate rate and length - Supports transmission of MAC frames including service discovery extensions - Maintains robust modulation and coding techniques for reliable 5 GHz communication - Enables integration of pre-association service discovery without PHY layer changes **Use Cases:** - Ensuring compatibility with existing PHY encapsulation mechanisms - Supporting service discovery within standard PPDU frames - Maintaining synchronization and efficient wireless transmission **Related Concepts:** - OFDM symbol and subcarrier structure - Service and tail bits in PPDU frame - Channel coding, interleaving, and error correction .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq PPDU:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/ppdu.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq PPDU" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq Channels **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Operates over existing 802.11 channels (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz depending on underlying PHY) - Does not define new frequency bands or channel widths - Uses Service Discovery Information Elements (SD IE) broadcast within existing management frames - Compatible with 802.11a/n/ac/ax PHYs and their respective channel plans - Enhances user experience by enabling pre-association service discovery **Use Cases:** - Allowing devices to discover available network services before association - Improving network selection and service access efficiency - Facilitating smarter roaming and connectivity decisions in multi-AP environments **Related Concepts:** - Service Discovery Information Element (SD IE) - Underlying PHY channel plans (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) - Integration with 802.11v and 802.11k for enhanced network management .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq Channels:** * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/channels.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq Channels" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11aq PHY **Standard:** IEEE 802.11aq (2018) **Main Features:** - Does not define a new physical layer; operates over existing 802.11 PHYs (a/n/ac/ax) - Enhances MAC layer with service discovery capabilities before association - Works over 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands supported by underlying PHYs - Utilizes existing OFDM and other modulation schemes of underlying PHYs - Supports seamless integration with high-throughput and low-latency PHYs **Use Cases:** - Pre-association service discovery to improve network selection - Enabling smarter roaming and connectivity decisions - Supporting efficient service delivery over existing high-speed wireless links **Related Concepts:** - Service Discovery Information Element (SD IE) - Integration with 802.11v and 802.11k for network management - Operation over multiple PHY layers (802.11ac, 802.11ax) .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11aq PHY:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11aq/PHYs.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11aq PHY"