802.11ad Channels

What is IEEE 802.11ad?

IEEE 802.11ad is a Wi-Fi standard that enables multi-gigabit wireless communication in the 60 GHz frequency band, also known as WiGig.

What frequency does 802.11ad use?

802.11ad operates in the 60 GHz frequency band, specifically from 57 GHz to 71 GHz depending on the region.

How many channels are defined in 802.11ad?

Up to 6 channels are defined, each 2.16 GHz wide, though availability depends on regional regulations.

What is the channel width in 802.11ad?

Each channel is 2.16 GHz wide, much wider than typical 20/40/80 MHz Wi-Fi channels.

Why does 802.11ad use such wide channels?

The ultra-wide 2.16 GHz channels allow for extremely high data rates up to 7 Gbps.

What are the typical 802.11ad channels?

Channels are centered at 58.32, 60.48, 62.64, 64.80, 66.96, and 69.12 GHz (varies by region).

Are 802.11ad channels overlapping?

No, each 2.16 GHz channel is spaced to avoid overlap, reducing interference.

What modulation techniques are used in 802.11ad?

802.11ad uses various modulation schemes including π/2-BPSK, π/2-QPSK, 16-QAM, and 64-QAM.

How does 802.11ad achieve high data rates?

Through wide channels, high-order modulation, and beamforming techniques.

Does 802.11ad use OFDM?

No, it primarily uses Single Carrier (SC) modulation for low complexity and low power.

What is beamforming in 802.11ad?

Beamforming focuses the signal in a specific direction to overcome high path loss at 60 GHz.

Is line-of-sight required for 802.11ad?

Generally yes, due to poor wall penetration and high attenuation at 60 GHz frequencies.

What is the typical range of 802.11ad?

1–10 meters depending on environment and whether there’s a clear line of sight.

What is the typical use case for 802.11ad?

High-speed short-range applications like wireless docking stations, VR headsets, and media streaming.

Is 802.11ad backward compatible with 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Not directly. Dual- or tri-band devices include 802.11ad alongside traditional radios.

Does 802.11ad support MIMO?

No traditional MIMO, but uses directional beamforming for spatial reuse.

What is fast session transfer (FST)?

FST allows devices to switch between 2.4/5 GHz and 60 GHz bands for better performance or reliability.

How does 802.11ad handle interference?

Its directional beams and high frequency reduce interference, though reflections may affect stability.

Can 802.11ad penetrate walls?

Poorly. 60 GHz signals have high attenuation and are typically blocked by walls.

What are the regional restrictions on 60 GHz channels?

Availability of certain channels depends on country regulations such as FCC (US), ETSI (Europe), etc.

What is the MAC layer behavior in 802.11ad?

It uses a hybrid of CSMA/CA and TDMA for scheduled transmissions with low latency.

Is DFS or TPC required in 802.11ad?

No, these mechanisms are not used in the 60 GHz band due to low risk of radar interference.

What devices support 802.11ad?

Some laptops, docking stations, VR headsets, and routers—though adoption has been limited.

Is 802.11ad still used today?

Its use has declined in favor of 802.11ay and other mmWave technologies, but it’s still found in some niche products.

What is the difference between 802.11ad and 802.11ay?

802.11ay is an enhancement of 802.11ad, with support for higher data rates, longer range, and MIMO.

How does 802.11ad handle channel access?

Through scheduled access periods, service periods, and contention-based access using a directional MAC.

Can 802.11ad be used for mesh networking?

No, it’s not ideal due to limited range and high directionality; mesh is better suited to 2.4/5 GHz bands.

What are the challenges of using 802.11ad?

Short range, need for line of sight, and susceptibility to blockage by objects like hands or furniture.

How is channel bonding handled in 802.11ad?

It doesn’t support channel bonding like 802.11ac; each 2.16 GHz channel is used individually.

What tools are available for 802.11ad analysis?

Specialized 60 GHz spectrum analyzers, vendor-specific diagnostics, and chipset debugging tools.

Topics in this section,

Channel Number (GHz)

Center Frequency (GHz)

Frequency Range (GHz)

DFS Required

1

58.32

57.24 – 59.40

No

2

60.48

59.40 – 61.56

No

3

62.64

61.56 – 63.72

No

4

64.80

63.72 – 65.88

No

5

66.96

65.88 – 68.04

No

6

69.12

68.04 – 70.20

No

  • channel widths

Band Name

Frequency Range (GHz)

Frequency Range (MHz)

Channels

V-Band (Lower)

57 – 64

57000 – 64000

Channel 1 (58.32 GHz), Channel 2 (60.48 GHz), Channel 3 (62.64 GHz), Channel 4 (64.80 GHz)

V-Band (Upper)

64 – 71

64000 – 71000

Channel 5 (66.96 GHz), Channel 6 (69.12 GHz)

  • Reference links