802.11aq Channels
What are channels in 802.11aq?
802.11aq does not define new wireless channels. It uses existing Wi‑Fi channels (same PHY) and works above the physical layer for service discovery.
How many channels are available in 802.11aq?
No additional or special channels are introduced by 802.11aq — channel availability is the same as the underlying 802.11 standard in use in that network.
What is a frequency band in wireless communication in context of 802.11aq?
Same as any other 802.11 standard: a frequency band is the actual RF band used by the PHY (e.g. 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz) — 802.11aq works over whatever bands the AP supports, it doesn’t change PHY operation.
Which frequency band does 802.11aq operate in?
It operates in whatever band the WLAN uses. There’s no separate band for 11aq; it overlays on the standard WLAN frequency (e.g. 2.4/5/6 GHz).
What are UNII bands in 802.11aq?
UNII bands are still relevant since 802.11aq uses standard WLAN channels. It doesn’t alter which UNII bands are used; it simply adds additional service‑information in beacons and management frames.
What are UNII‑1, UNII‑2, and UNII‑3 bands for 802.11aq?
Same as standard WLAN: those are regulatory subdivisions of the 5 GHz unlicensed bands. 802.11aq doesn’t change their definitions or use rules.
What is channel width in 802.11aq?
Channel width is determined by the underlying WLAN standard (e.g. 20/40/80/160 MHz in 802.11ac/ax) — 802.11aq does not define or mandate channel widths.
Why does 802.11aq use certain channel widths?
It doesn’t pick channel widths; it inherits whatever the network’s PHY supports. Its job is advertising services, not changing RF parameters.
Are 802.11aq channels overlapping?
Overlaps are a function of the underlying WLAN standard and channel assignment. 802.11aq doesn’t affect channel overlap — it uses whatever channels are configured.
What determines the number of usable channels?
Local regulatory domain, available spectrum, and the WLAN standard in use (802.11a/n/ac/ax/…) determine usable channels. 802.11aq does not alter that.
What is Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)?
DFS is still required as per the PHY standard if operating in DFS‑required UNII bands. 802.11aq doesn’t override DFS; it builds on top of existing WLAN PHY behavior.
What is Transmit Power Control (TPC)?
TPC likewise remains governed by underlying PHY / regulatory rules. 802.11aq does not change power control policies.
Can 802.11aq use 40 MHz or 80 MHz channels?
Yes — if the underlying WLAN standard being used supports 40/80 MHz channels. 11aq itself doesn’t define channel width, so it works over whatever channel widths are in use.
Why is channel planning important in 802.11aq?
Because channel planning (selecting which RF channel, width, avoiding interference) still affects how well service discovery works (beacon transmission, management frames). If channels are congested, clients may miss service info.
Are all WLAN channels available globally for 802.11aq?
No — it depends on regional regulatory policies, just like all other WLAN standards. 11aq doesn’t change that.
Can devices auto‑select 802.11aq channels?
Channel selection is handled by underlying WLAN hardware/software; 11aq doesn’t introduce a new channel selection scheme. Devices that support auto channel selection will include service discovery frames in their broadcast regardless.
How do clients know which channel to use?
Clients scan available channels (same way as normal WLAN scanning) and look for beacons or probe responses; with 802.11aq they also check service discovery elements in those management frames.
What is the channel center frequency?
Same as for regular WLAN channels — center frequency defined by the standard (e.g. 5.180 GHz etc). 802.11aq doesn’t define new center freqs.
How are 802.11aq channels numbered?
They are numbered the same way as the underlying 802.11 standard in operation — 11aq doesn’t define channel numbering.
What are the typical channel numbers for 802.11aq?
Exactly the same typical channel numbers as used in the network’s WLAN standard (for example channels 36, 40, 44, etc. in 5 GHz).
How far apart are WLAN channels spaced in 802.11aq?
Channel spacing is determined by the PHY standard (e.g. 20 MHz spacing etc). 802.11aq does not modify channel spacing.
What is co‑channel interference?
Interference that occurs when two APs / devices transmit over the same channel; this is independent of 802.11aq, which inherits interference issues of underlying WLAN.
How can co‑channel interference be avoided in 802.11aq?
Use good channel planning, avoid congested channels, use non‑overlapping channels etc, just like with any WLAN deployment.
Does weather affect WLAN channel performance (in 11aq)?
Yes in the sense that the underlying RF behavior (path loss, attenuation) is still subject to weather / obstacles, but 11aq doesn’t add extra sensitivity beyond what the PHY already has.
Why is 5 GHz considered less congested than 2.4 GHz (in context of 11aq)?
Same reasoning as in other WLANs: more spectrum, more non‑overlapping channels, fewer interfering devices. 11aq benefits from that since it uses the same channels.
What is the typical range of WLAN channels (in 11aq)?
Same as underlying WLAN: in 5 GHz perhaps ~30‑50 m indoors, etc. 11aq doesn’t increase range.
Can WLAN channels be used outdoors (for 11aq)?
Yes, if the standard allows outdoor operation in that band and region. 11aq doesn’t change channel outdoor use permissions.
What happens if two APs use the same channel (in 11aq)?
Service discovery frames may collide or be delayed, but basic transmission behavior is same as standard WLAN.
What tools help with 802.11aq channel planning?
The same tools used for WLAN planning: spectrum analyzers, Wi‑Fi scanners/site‑survey tools, and monitoring tools that can show beacon/service discovery frame visibility.
Topics in this section,
Channel Number (MHz) |
Center Frequency (MHz) |
Frequency Range |
DFS Required |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
2412 |
2401 – 2423 |
No |
2 |
2417 |
2406 – 2428 |
No |
3 |
2422 |
2411 – 2433 |
No |
4 |
2427 |
2416 – 2438 |
No |
5 |
2432 |
2421 – 2443 |
No |
6 |
2437 |
2426 – 2448 |
No |
7 |
2442 |
2431 – 2453 |
No |
8 |
2447 |
2436 – 2458 |
No |
9 |
2452 |
2441 – 2463 |
No |
10 |
2457 |
2446 – 2468 |
No |
11 |
2462 |
2451 – 2473 |
No |
12 |
2467 |
2456 – 2478 |
No (region dependent) |
13 |
2472 |
2461 – 2483 |
No (region dependent) |
14 |
2484 |
2473 – 2495 |
No (Japan only) |
Channel Number (MHz) |
Center Frequency (MHz) |
Frequency Range |
DFS Required |
|---|---|---|---|
36 |
5180 |
5170 – 5190 |
No |
40 |
5200 |
5190 – 5210 |
No |
44 |
5220 |
5210 – 5230 |
No |
48 |
5240 |
5230 – 5250 |
No |
52 |
5260 |
5250 – 5270 |
Yes |
56 |
5280 |
5270 – 5290 |
Yes |
60 |
5300 |
5290 – 5310 |
Yes |
64 |
5320 |
5310 – 5330 |
Yes |
100 |
5500 |
5490 – 5510 |
Yes |
104 |
5520 |
5510 – 5530 |
Yes |
108 |
5540 |
5530 – 5550 |
Yes |
112 |
5560 |
5550 – 5570 |
Yes |
116 |
5580 |
5570 – 5590 |
Yes |
120 |
5600 |
5590 – 5610 |
Yes |
124 |
5620 |
5610 – 5630 |
Yes |
128 |
5640 |
5630 – 5650 |
Yes |
132 |
5660 |
5650 – 5670 |
Yes |
136 |
5680 |
5670 – 5690 |
Yes |
140 |
5700 |
5690 – 5710 |
Yes |
144 |
5720 |
5710 – 5730 |
Yes |
149 |
5745 |
5735 – 5755 |
No |
153 |
5765 |
5755 – 5775 |
No |
157 |
5785 |
5775 – 5795 |
No |
161 |
5805 |
5795 – 5815 |
No |
165 |
5825 |
5815 – 5835 |
No |
channel widths
Band Name |
Frequency Range (GHz) |
Frequency Range (MHz) |
Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
2.4 GHz Band |
2.400 – 2.485 |
2400 – 2485 |
1 – 14 (region dependent) |
UNII-1 |
5.150 – 5.250 |
5150 – 5250 |
36, 40, 44, 48 |
UNII-2 (DFS) |
5.250 – 5.350 |
5250 – 5350 |
52, 56, 60, 64 |
UNII-2 Extended (DFS) |
5.470 – 5.725 |
5470 – 5725 |
100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144 |
UNII-3 |
5.725 – 5.825 |
5725 – 5825 |
149, 153, 157, 161, 165 |
Reference links