wifi 6E =============== .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: wifi6e/wifi6e wifi6e/mac_functions wifi6e/mac_timings wifi6e/packet_formats wifi6e/power_save wifi6e/interoperability wifi6e/physical_rates wifi6e/ppdu wifi6e/channels wifi6e/PHYs IEEE 802.11ax6E (Wi-Fi 6E) is an extension of the Wi-Fi 6 standard that operates in the newly allocated 6 GHz band, offering increased spectrum, reduced interference, and improved throughput, capacity, and performance in congested and high-density wireless environments. .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Category - Description - Use Case * - MAC Functions - Advanced MAC responsibilities including OFDMA scheduling, MU-MIMO management, and enhanced frame aggregation optimized for the 6 GHz band. - Boosting wireless efficiency and reliable data delivery in ultra-dense environments using new spectrum * - MAC Timings - Further optimized timing parameters with enhanced Target Wake Time (TWT) and reduced latency to maximize medium access efficiency. - Improving network responsiveness and battery life for IoT and mobile devices operating in 6 GHz * - Packet Formats - Updated HE (High-Efficiency) PPDU formats supporting 6 GHz specific features, extended aggregation, and multi-user capabilities. - Enabling efficient frame handling and QoS enhancements in the 6 GHz spectrum * - Power Save - Advanced power-saving features tailored for Wi-Fi 6E devices, leveraging 6 GHz band benefits with TWT and scheduled wake-up. - Extending battery life while maintaining high performance in new 6 GHz networks * - Interoperability - Full backward compatibility with Wi-Fi 6 devices and coexistence mechanisms ensuring smooth operation across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands. - Seamless connectivity in mixed-band environments and legacy support * - Physical Rates - Supports very high data rates up to 10 Gbps with 1024-QAM, wider channels (up to 160 MHz), and OFDMA in the 6 GHz band. - Delivering ultra-fast, low-latency wireless for demanding applications like AR/VR, gaming, and streaming * - PPDU - Enhanced HE PPDU formats with improved preambles, beamforming, and multi-user support optimized for 6 GHz. - Reliable and efficient multi-user transmissions in congested spectrum environments * - Channels - Utilizes the newly opened 6 GHz spectrum (up to 1200 MHz bandwidth) alongside 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, with dynamic frequency selection. - Greatly increased spectrum availability reduces congestion and interference * - PHY Overview - OFDMA-based physical layer with multi-user resource allocation, spatial reuse, and advanced coding tailored for Wi-Fi 6E’s 6 GHz operation. - Enabling scalable, high-efficiency wireless data delivery in dense deployments using new spectrum .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E (Wi-Fi 6E) **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Operates in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and newly available 6 GHz bands - OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) optimized for 6 GHz spectrum - Improved MU-MIMO for uplink and downlink in 6 GHz - Target Wake Time (TWT) with enhanced scheduling for power saving - Higher modulation scheme (1024-QAM) enabling increased throughput - Enhanced interference mitigation and spatial reuse with 6 GHz band advantages **Use Cases:** - Ultra-dense environments with high device density and bandwidth demands - Next-gen AR/VR, 8K video streaming, and gaming applications - IoT and mobile devices benefiting from extended power-saving features - Enterprise and public networks leveraging new 6 GHz spectrum availability **Related Concepts:** - OFDMA and resource unit allocation in 6 GHz - Uplink and downlink MU-MIMO enhancements for Wi-Fi 6E - Spatial reuse, BSS coloring, and coexistence across 2.4/5/6 GHz bands - Advanced power efficiency with TWT and scheduled wake-ups in Wi-Fi 6E .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the advancements of Wi-Fi 6E and the new 6 GHz spectrum:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section <802_11ax6e_step1>` * :ref:`Terminology <802_11ax6e_step2>` * :ref:`Version Info <802_11ax6e_step3>` * :ref:`802_11ax6e Version & IEEE Details <802_11ax6e_step4>` * :ref:`802_11ax6e Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <802_11ax6e_step5>` * :ref:`802_11ax6e Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <802_11ax6e_step6>` * :ref:`Reference links <802_11ax6e_step16>` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/wifi6e.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax6E Basics" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E MAC Functions **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Manages advanced frame delimiting, addressing, and error detection with improved efficiency, optimized for the 6 GHz band - Supports multi-user OFDMA and MU-MIMO for simultaneous transmissions in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands - Implements enhanced medium access control with BSS coloring and spatial reuse specifically tuned for Wi-Fi 6E - Handles dynamic scheduling and target wake time (TWT) for power saving in 6 GHz deployments - Controls acknowledgments, retransmissions, and frame aggregation with higher throughput and lower latency - Works closely with Physical Layer enhancements to maximize spectral efficiency and minimize interference in the newly available 6 GHz spectrum **Use Cases:** - Providing reliable ultra-high-speed data delivery in dense, multi-band Wi-Fi environments including 6 GHz - Efficiently managing medium access for multiple users and devices across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands - Supporting advanced QoS, security, and power management features leveraging Wi-Fi 6E capabilities **Related Functions:** - OFDMA and MU-MIMO resource scheduling across 6 GHz spectrum - BSS coloring and spatial reuse mechanisms tuned for Wi-Fi 6E - Target Wake Time (TWT) for enhanced power efficiency on 6 GHz - Advanced frame aggregation and error correction optimized for Wi-Fi 6E .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax6E MAC Functions:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/mac_functions.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E MAC Functions" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E MAC Timings **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Defines updated timing parameters for frame transmission and acknowledgments in dense multi-band environments including 6 GHz - Includes Interframe Spaces (SIFS, AIFS, TWT-based wake timings) optimized for enhanced medium coordination in Wi-Fi 6E - Specifies slot times and contention window adjustments for OFDMA and MU-MIMO operations across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands - Enables collision avoidance and fair access with spatial reuse considerations tailored for the new 6 GHz spectrum - Manages timing for retransmissions, triggered access, and scheduled transmissions in Wi-Fi 6E deployments - Synchronizes MAC and PHY layers to optimize efficiency and reduce latency in high-density WLANs using the 6 GHz band **Use Cases:** - Coordinating transmission timing in dense 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz WLANs - Reducing collisions and optimizing throughput in multi-user, multi-band scenarios - Supporting QoS and power-saving features through advanced timing controls in Wi-Fi 6E **Related Timing Parameters:** - Short Interframe Space (SIFS) - Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS) - Target Wake Time (TWT) scheduling optimized for Wi-Fi 6E - Slot time, backoff timers, and OFDMA-specific timing across bands .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax6E MAC Timings:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/mac_timings.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E MAC Timings" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E Packet Formats **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Defines enhanced MAC and PHY layer frame structures for 802.11ax6E including 6 GHz band support - Includes Frame Control, Duration, Address fields, Sequence Control, and CRC with new fields for OFDMA and MU-MIMO - Supports data, management, and control frames optimized for high-efficiency WLANs across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands - Uses OFDMA and 1024-QAM modulation at the PHY layer for higher throughput and efficiency - Frame formats support advanced QoS, security, and spatial reuse features - Enables fragmentation, aggregation (A-MPDU, A-MSDU), and reassembly for efficient large packet handling in Wi-Fi 6E **Use Cases:** - Structuring packets for high-efficiency wireless communication including the new 6 GHz spectrum - Enabling multi-user data transmission and enhanced throughput in Wi-Fi 6E devices - Supporting backward compatibility and interoperability with legacy devices **Related Frame Types:** - Management frames (e.g., Beacon, Probe Request with HE capabilities) - Control frames (e.g., Block ACK, Trigger frames for OFDMA) - Data frames (with QoS and spatial reuse support) .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax6E Packet Formats:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/packet_formats.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E Packet Formats" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E Power Saving Mechanisms **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Enhances power saving with Target Wake Time (TWT) scheduling optimized for multi-band operation including 6 GHz - Allows devices to negotiate sleep/wake intervals with the Access Point to maximize battery efficiency - Supports spatial reuse and reduced contention to prolong device battery life in dense Wi-Fi 6E networks - AP buffers frames and coordinates delivery during scheduled wake times across all bands (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz) - Improves power efficiency for IoT, mobile, and battery-operated devices using the 6 GHz spectrum - Integrates with MAC layer for coordinated sleep, wake, and multi-user transmissions leveraging Wi-Fi 6E features **Use Cases:** - Extending battery life of smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices in dense Wi-Fi 6E deployments - Reducing power consumption during low-traffic periods while maintaining responsiveness - Balancing network efficiency with device power constraints in multi-band networks **Related Mechanisms:** - Target Wake Time (TWT) scheduling - Enhanced Delivery Traffic Indication Map (DTIM) - Coordination of sleep/wake cycles with MU-MIMO and OFDMA transmissions on 6 GHz band .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax6E Power Saving mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/power_save.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E Power Saving" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E Interoperability **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Ensures seamless compatibility among devices from various vendors operating in 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and new 6 GHz bands - Supports backward compatibility with legacy 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax devices for smooth network transitions including Wi-Fi 6E - Defines enhanced frame formats and signaling to support multi-user OFDMA and MU-MIMO across all bands - Implements advanced channel access mechanisms like BSS Coloring for coexistence in dense Wi-Fi 6E deployments - Uses standardized management and control frames for efficient association, roaming, and power management - Facilitates coexistence with overlapping wireless technologies and improved spectrum utilization on 6 GHz **Use Cases:** - Enabling robust multi-vendor Wi-Fi 6E deployments in enterprises, campuses, and public venues - Supporting seamless roaming and handoffs across different Wi-Fi generations, including Wi-Fi 6E devices - Allowing mixed standard environments to operate efficiently without interference across three bands **Related Mechanisms:** - Backward compatibility and tri-band operation - BSS Coloring and spatial reuse techniques enhanced for 6 GHz spectrum - Standardized PHY/MAC procedures including MU-MIMO and OFDMA across 2.4/5/6 GHz .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax6E Interoperability mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/interoperability.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E Interoperability" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E Physical Rates **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Supports a wide range of physical layer data rates from under 1 Mbps up to 10+ Gbps in 6 GHz band - Utilizes Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and 1024-QAM modulation with wider channel bandwidths (up to 160 MHz) - Provides flexible channel widths: 20, 40, 80, 160 MHz optimized for 2.4, 5, and new 6 GHz bands - Enables simultaneous multi-user transmissions via MU-MIMO and OFDMA for increased capacity - Implements dynamic rate adaptation based on channel quality and user demand across all bands - Operates tri-band (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz) with enhanced spectral efficiency and reduced latency **Use Cases:** - High-density environments such as stadiums, airports, offices, and residential complexes using Wi-Fi 6E - Enhanced streaming, gaming, AR/VR, and real-time applications leveraging 6 GHz band - IoT and low-latency applications requiring efficient spectrum use and high throughput **Related Concepts:** - Modulation and coding schemes (MCS) including 1024-QAM on 6 GHz - MU-MIMO and OFDMA resource unit allocation in tri-band operation - Dynamic bandwidth management and spatial reuse optimized for Wi-Fi 6E .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax6E Physical Rates:** * :ref:`physical_rates in 802.11ax 6E ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/physical_rates.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E Physical Rates" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax 6E PPDU **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E, 2021) **Main Features:** - Extends 802.11ax PPDU support to the 6 GHz band (5925–7125 MHz) - Retains HE PPDU formats (HE SU, HE MU, HE TB, HE ER SU) - Introduces wider bandwidth support (up to 160 MHz in 6 GHz) - Enhances performance with reduced interference and lower latency - Supports uplink and downlink multi-user access via OFDMA and MU-MIMO - Uses preamble puncturing for flexible channel utilization in 6 GHz **Use Cases:** - High-throughput, low-latency wireless networking in the 6 GHz band - Advanced multi-user scheduling in enterprise and high-density scenarios - Extended range IoT connectivity in open and interference-free spectrum **Related Concepts:** - Preamble puncturing and dynamic channel access - Enhanced Resource Unit (RU) granularity - Regulatory compliance in 6 GHz with AFC (Automated Frequency Coordination) .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax 6E PPDU:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/ppdu.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E PPDU" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax 6E Channels **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6E, 2021) **Main Features:** - Operates in **2.4 GHz**, **5 GHz**, and newly introduced **6 GHz** bands - Supports **20, 40, 80, 160 MHz**, and **preamble puncturing** for flexible use - Offers access to **up to 1200 MHz** of additional spectrum in 6 GHz - Enables higher throughput with **1024-QAM**, **OFDMA**, and **MU-MIMO** - Enhanced **spatial reuse** and **BSS Coloring** for dense environments - **No DFS requirement** in many 6 GHz sub-bands for faster channel acquisition - Compliance with **AFC (Automated Frequency Coordination)** for standard power devices **Use Cases:** - Ultra-low latency streaming (AR/VR, 8K video, cloud gaming) - Reliable Wi-Fi in congested areas (airports, stadiums, campuses) - Simultaneous multi-band operation with backward compatibility - Interference-free IoT and smart device networks in new spectrum **Related Concepts:** - **6 GHz Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6E)** expansion for congestion relief - **Channel bonding** and **dynamic bandwidth allocation** - **Preamble puncturing** to avoid interference while retaining wide channels - **Target Wake Time (TWT)** and **BSS Coloring** for efficiency - **AFC**, **Low Power Indoor (LPI)**, and **Very Low Power (VLP)** device categories .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax 6E Channels:** * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/channels.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E Channels" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11ax6E PHY **Standard:** IEEE 802.11ax (2019) with 6 GHz Extension (Wi-Fi 6E) **Main Features:** - Employs Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) for uplink and downlink efficiency across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands - Supports up to 1024-QAM modulation for higher spectral efficiency and throughput - Operates across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and newly opened 6 GHz frequency bands exclusive to Wi-Fi 6E - Enables MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) in both uplink and downlink for simultaneous client communication - Uses longer OFDM symbols (12.8 µs + Guard Interval) for improved resilience in dense, high-interference environments - Supports wider channel bandwidths including 20, 40, 80, and 160 MHz, leveraging the cleaner 6 GHz spectrum for less interference - Includes advanced PHY features like Target Wake Time (TWT), BSS Coloring, Spatial Reuse, and HE-PPDU enhancements tailored for 6 GHz operation **Use Cases:** - Ultra-dense environments such as stadiums, airports, universities, and enterprise networks utilizing tri-band Wi-Fi 6E - Low-latency, high-bandwidth applications including VR/AR, UHD video streaming, cloud gaming benefiting from 6 GHz bandwidth availability - Smart home, IoT, and mobile devices requiring efficient power and spectrum utilization with minimal interference in 6 GHz **Related Concepts:** - OFDMA vs. traditional OFDM in tri-band operation - 1024-QAM modulation and spectral efficiency improvements in 6 GHz band - HE-PPDU (High Efficiency Physical Protocol Data Unit) structure optimized for Wi-Fi 6E - Preamble fields: HE-STF, HE-LTF, HE-SIG adapted for 6 GHz transmissions - Target Wake Time (TWT) for efficient power management across bands - Spatial reuse techniques via BSS Coloring and OBSS_PD in 6 GHz band .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11ax6E PHY:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./wifi6e/PHYs.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11ax 6E PHY"