802.11ay Channels ====================== .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are channels in 802.11ay?** Channels in 802.11ay are defined frequency ranges within the 60 GHz mmWave band used for high-speed wireless communication. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How many channels are available in 802.11ay?** 802.11ay supports up to 6 channels (depending on the region), each with very wide bandwidth—typically 2.16 GHz per channel. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is a frequency band in wireless communication?** A frequency band is a range of electromagnetic frequencies used for transmitting wireless signals. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which frequency band does 802.11ay operate in?** 802.11ay operates in the unlicensed 60 GHz band, typically from 57 GHz to 71 GHz, depending on the country. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are UNII bands in 802.11ay?** UNII bands are not applicable in 802.11ay. Instead, it uses the 60 GHz band governed by different regulations such as FCC Part 15 Subpart C. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are UNII-1, UNII-2, and UNII-3 bands?** These bands apply to 5 GHz systems like 802.11a/ac. 802.11ay operates in the 60 GHz V-band, not the UNII bands. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is channel width in 802.11ay?** Each 802.11ay channel has a bandwidth of 2.16 GHz, and the protocol supports channel bonding up to 8.64 GHz for ultra-high-speed links. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why does 802.11ay use wide channels?** The 60 GHz band allows much wider channels, enabling multi-gigabit throughput necessary for high-speed wireless links. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Are 802.11ay channels overlapping?** No, 802.11ay channels are non-overlapping and widely spaced to support channel bonding and avoid interference. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What determines the number of usable channels?** The regional regulatory authority and local spectrum allocation rules determine the available 60 GHz channels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)?** DFS is not used in 802.11ay because the 60 GHz band does not share spectrum with radar systems like in 5 GHz bands. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is Transmit Power Control (TPC)?** TPC in 802.11ay is used to manage interference and comply with regional EIRP limits, especially in indoor vs outdoor deployments. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11ay use 40 MHz or 80 MHz channels?** No, 802.11ay uses much wider channels—starting at 2.16 GHz—and does not operate at narrow channel widths like 40 or 80 MHz. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why is channel planning important in 802.11ay?** Channel planning is critical due to the use of highly directional beams and potential interference in dense deployments with bonded channels. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Are all 60 GHz channels available globally?** No, availability of 60 GHz channels depends on regional regulations (e.g., FCC in the US allows 57–71 GHz; others may restrict this range). .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can devices auto-select 802.11ay channels?** Yes, devices can auto-select channels during beamforming and setup, often guided by link quality and interference avoidance. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How do clients know which channel to use?** Clients scan the 60 GHz band and associate with access points that broadcast beacons on available channels using sector-level sweeps. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the channel center frequency?** The channel center frequency is the midpoint of a given 60 GHz channel—for example, Channel 1 is centered at 58.32 GHz. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How are 802.11ay channels numbered?** Channels are numbered based on their center frequency—e.g., Channel 1 (58.32 GHz), Channel 2 (60.48 GHz), and so on. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are the typical channel numbers for 802.11ay?** Typical channels include 1 (58.32 GHz), 2 (60.48 GHz), 3 (62.64 GHz), 4 (64.80 GHz), 5 (66.96 GHz), and 6 (69.12 GHz), subject to region. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How far apart are 802.11ay channels spaced?** Channels are spaced 2.16 GHz apart, allowing room for non-overlapping ultra-wide channel operation. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is co-channel interference?** Co-channel interference in 802.11ay occurs when multiple devices use the same 60 GHz channel and beam direction, though this is rare due to narrow beam usage. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How can co-channel interference be avoided in 802.11ay?** Using directional beamforming, spatial reuse, and coordinated channel assignments can minimize interference. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does weather affect 60 GHz channel performance?** Yes, 60 GHz signals are highly susceptible to atmospheric absorption and rain fade, limiting range—though mostly relevant for outdoor links. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why is 60 GHz considered less congested than 2.4 or 5 GHz?** The 60 GHz band is less congested due to fewer consumer devices using it and shorter range reducing interference from neighboring networks. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the typical range of 802.11ay channels?** Indoors, the range is typically 10–20 meters due to high attenuation. Outdoors with clear line-of-sight, it can reach up to 300 meters. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11ay channels be used outdoors?** Yes, but only under specific regional regulations, and range may be affected by rain and physical obstructions. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What happens if two APs use the same channel?** In 802.11ay, highly directional beams reduce the chance of interference, but if beams align, contention or signal degradation may occur. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What tools help with 802.11ay channel planning?** mmWave spectrum analyzers, 3D beam visualization tools, and professional site survey software help with proper channel and beam alignment planning. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. _channels_ay_step4: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of channels (802.11ay) ===================== ======================= ========================== ============== Channel Number (GHz) Center Frequency (GHz) Frequency Range (GHz) DFS Required ===================== ======================= ========================== ============== 1 57.24 56.25 – 58.23 No 2 58.32 57.24 – 59.40 No 3 59.40 58.41 – 60.39 No 4 60.48 59.40 – 61.56 No 5 61.56 60.48 – 62.64 No 6 62.64 61.56 – 63.72 No ===================== ======================= ========================== ============== .. _channels_ay_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of channel widths * channel widths .. _channels_ay_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: List of Bands (802.11ay) ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ Band Name Frequency Range (GHz) Frequency Range (MHz) Channels ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ V-Band (Lower) 57 – 64 57000 – 64000 Channel 1 (57.24 GHz), Channel 2 (58.32 GHz), Channel 3 (59.40 GHz), Channel 4 (60.48 GHz) V-Band (Upper) 64 – 71 64000 – 71000 Channel 5 (61.56 GHz), Channel 6 (62.64 GHz) ======================= ====================== ====================== ============================================================ .. _channels_ay_step17: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links