802.11aj - WiGig (China mmWave 45 & 60 GHz)
802.11aj extends WiGig technology to support mmWave communications in Chinese 45 GHz and 60 GHz bands with enhanced range and throughput.
Category |
Description |
Use Case |
|---|---|---|
MAC Functions |
Enhanced MAC with support for directional communication, beamforming, and extended range in 45/60 GHz bands. |
Managing multi-gigabit, longer-range mmWave links with robust directional connectivity |
MAC Timings |
Timing parameters optimized for low-latency and reliable transmissions in mmWave bands including 45 GHz. |
Real-time streaming and extended range high-speed data transfers |
Packet Formats |
Defines new and extended frame structures compatible with 45 GHz and 60 GHz PHYs, including support for MIMO. |
Efficient high-throughput communication across multi-band mmWave channels |
Power Save |
Advanced power-saving mechanisms for managing device energy in high-frequency mmWave transmissions. |
Prolonging battery life in extended range, high-data-rate wireless devices |
Interoperability |
Supports coexistence and fallback mechanisms with 802.11ad and legacy Wi-Fi standards. |
Seamless multi-band operation and backward compatibility |
Physical Rates |
Data rates up to 7 Gbps with enhancements for longer range at 45 GHz using advanced modulations and MIMO. |
High-speed wireless backhaul, VR/AR, and extended-range multi-gigabit links |
PPDU |
Multiple PHY types with PPDU formats optimized for 45 GHz and 60 GHz bands, supporting MIMO and beamforming. |
Reliable directional transmissions with improved spatial multiplexing |
Channels |
Operates in Chinese 45 GHz (42–45 GHz) and 60 GHz (57–71 GHz) bands with wide channels for high throughput. |
Flexible multi-band channel usage for extended range and high capacity |
PHY Overview |
Utilizes SC and OFDM PHYs with phased-array antenna and MIMO support for enhanced mmWave performance. |
High-throughput, extended-range directional wireless communication in 45/60 GHz bands. |
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Operates in the 45 GHz (China-specific) and 60 GHz frequency bands
Supports multi-gigabit wireless speeds with enhanced range and reliability
Extended range compared to 802.11ad, suitable for outdoor and indoor use
Utilizes beamforming and phased-array antennas for directional communication
Supports MIMO for improved throughput and link robustness
Maintains backward compatibility and fast session transfer with 802.11ad devices
Use Cases:
High-speed wireless backhaul links
Extended-range VR/AR applications
Multi-gigabit wireless links in indoor and outdoor environments
Wireless docking and high-capacity data streaming
Related Concepts:
Beamforming and directional antenna technologies
Multi-band operation across 45 GHz and 60 GHz bands
Fast session transfer (FST) between 2.4/5 GHz and mmWave bands
MIMO for enhanced link capacity and reliability
Integration with existing WiGig (802.11ad/ay) standards
Explore the capabilities and applications of 802.11aj:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Supports directional communication and beamforming in 45 GHz and 60 GHz bands
Enhances MAC layer for improved multi-gigabit and extended range links
Enables fast session transfer (FST) across 2.4/5 GHz, 45 GHz, and 60 GHz bands
Incorporates scheduled and contention-based access tailored for mmWave
Manages directional channel access with refined Service Periods and Beacon Intervals
Closely integrates with PHY for advanced beam alignment, training, and MIMO support
Use Cases:
High-speed wireless backhaul and extended-range VR/AR applications
Reliable multi-gigabit data transfer indoors and outdoors
Efficient medium access control in dense, high-frequency environments
Related Functions:
Advanced beamforming training and alignment with MIMO support
Directional channel access scheduling
Fast session transfer (FST) with multi-band interoperability
Enhanced acknowledgment and retransmission for robust links
Explore the details of 802.11aj MAC Functions:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Defines timing parameters optimized for directional transmissions in 45 GHz and 60 GHz bands
Uses scheduled access windows adapted for extended range and MIMO operation
Employs Beacon Intervals and Service Periods for precise resource allocation
Implements TDMA-like mechanisms to maximize throughput and reduce latency
Supports Directional Channel Access to minimize contention in dense deployments
Optimizes beamforming training and session timing for low-latency communication
Use Cases:
Scheduling high-speed multi-gigabit transmissions over extended distances
Supporting time-sensitive VR/AR streaming and wireless backhaul
Improving efficiency and reliability in dense multi-band networks
Related Timing Parameters:
Beacon Transmission Interval (BTI)
Association Beamforming Training (A-BFT)
Announcement Time (ATI)
Service Period (SP) and Contention-Based Access Period (CBAP)
Explore the details of 802.11aj MAC Timings:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Defines packet formats optimized for 45 GHz and 60 GHz directional communications
Extends MAC headers to support multi-band operation and MIMO features
Includes specialized control and beamforming headers tailored for extended range
Employs efficient PHY headers for lower overhead in mmWave links
Supports frame aggregation, segmentation, and enhanced directional transmissions
Designed for low-latency, high-throughput wireless backhaul and multimedia applications
Use Cases:
Transmitting large data payloads with high reliability over extended range mmWave links
Fast and precise beamforming training and alignment in dense deployments
Maintaining compatibility with multi-band Fast Session Transfer (FST)
Related Frame Types:
Beacon and Sector Sweep frames with multi-band support
Directional control frames including RTS/CTS with enhanced signaling
Acknowledgment frames including Block ACKs adapted for mmWave
High-speed data frames with QoS and aggregation features
Explore the details of 802.11aj Packet Formats:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Implements power-saving mechanisms optimized for 45 GHz and 60 GHz directional links
Devices alternate between Doze and Wake states coordinated by the PCP/AP
Supports scheduled service periods and contention-based access periods adapted for extended range
Minimizes power consumption during idle, beamforming training, and low traffic phases
Uses Beacon Interval structures to coordinate power-aware channel access
Designed to extend battery life in high-speed, multi-gigabit wireless devices
Use Cases:
Conserving energy in portable mmWave devices and wireless backhaul nodes
Efficient power management during beamformed sessions and low-duty operation
Supporting multi-band coexistence with seamless power control
Related Mechanisms:
Scheduled Service Periods (SPs) adapted for extended range
Beacon Interval and Access Period timing for power coordination
Doze/Wake state transitions managed by PCP/AP
Enhanced power control signaling for directional links
Explore the details of 802.11aj Power Saving mechanisms:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Supports coexistence with legacy 802.11 devices and other 60 GHz standards (802.11ad/ay)
Enables multi-band operation in 45 GHz and 60 GHz bands with seamless band switching
Uses Fast Session Transfer (FST) to maintain session continuity across bands
Maintains standardized frame formats for compatibility across PHY variants
Provides mechanisms for discovery, association, and fallback between different bands and PHYs
Facilitates integration in heterogeneous network environments including 2.4/5 GHz legacy Wi-Fi
Use Cases:
Enabling robust multi-band WiGig networks with backward compatibility
Supporting seamless handover and session persistence in dynamic environments
Facilitating high-throughput multi-gigabit applications across bands
Related Mechanisms:
Fast Session Transfer (FST) across 45 GHz, 60 GHz, and legacy bands
Multi-band MAC coordination and management
Beacon and Probe-based discovery for multi-band devices
Dual-radio and tri-radio device support for legacy coexistence
Explore the details of 802.11aj Interoperability mechanisms:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Supports data rates up to 6.7 Gbps in the 60 GHz band and comparable rates in the 45 GHz band
Employs single-carrier and OFDM PHYs with advanced modulation and coding schemes
Uses wide channel bandwidths (up to 2.16 GHz) with channel bonding capabilities
Supports modulation schemes ranging from BPSK up to 64-QAM or higher depending on PHY
Implements dynamic rate adaptation based on channel conditions and beamforming feedback
Utilizes beamforming and MIMO techniques for improved link reliability and throughput
Use Cases:
High-speed wireless backhaul links in smart city and industrial applications
Multi-gigabit in-room and in-building wireless communications
Low-latency and high-throughput multimedia streaming and data transfers
Related Concepts:
Modulation and Coding Schemes (MCS)
Beamforming and phased array antennas
Wide channel bonding and aggregation
Adaptive rate control algorithms
Explore the details of 802.11aj Physical Rates:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Defines PPDU formats suitable for 45 GHz and 60 GHz mmWave operation
Supports multiple PHY types (e.g. SC, OFDM) adapted for Chinese mmWave bands
Includes preamble structures for synchronization, beamforming training, and channel estimation
Payload carries MAC frames with modulation and coding as supported by the PHY
Enables high-throughput directional communication with adaptive MCS
Use Cases:
High-speed data transmission over extended‑range mmWave links
Beamforming and alignment between devices in complex environments
Low-latency, multi-gigabit applications in specialty frequency bands
Related Concepts:
Beamforming training fields and sector sweeps
PHY type signaling and MCS adaptation
Multi‑band PPDU compatibility across 802.11ad/ay/aj
Channel bonding and spatial multiplexing in mmWave
Explore the details of 802.11aj PPDU:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Operates in Chinese mmWave bands: 45 GHz and 59–64 GHz bands
Uses wide channels (on the order of GHz) to support high data rates
Channel plan designed to comply with local regulatory constraints
Supports directional operation and minimal interference design
Integrates with beamforming and spatial reuse across bands
Use Cases:
Multi-gigabit wireless links in Chinese mmWave spectrum
High‑capacity backhaul or point-to-point links
Low-latency applications needing wideband directional channels
Related Concepts:
Channel allocation and selection in 45 / 60 GHz mmWave bands
Regulatory compliance and coexistence strategies
Beam steering and sectorization
Channel reuse and interference mitigation
Explore the details of 802.11aj Channels:
Standard: IEEE 802.11aj (2018)
Main Features:
Operates in both 45 GHz and 59–64 GHz mmWave bands, primarily for the Chinese regulatory domain
Extends 802.11ad PHY with support for new frequency bands and backward compatibility
Retains Single Carrier (SC) and OFDM PHY types from 802.11ad, with necessary enhancements
Offers high data rates comparable to 802.11ad (up to 6.75 Gbps), using wide 2.16 GHz channels
Supports beamforming and sector sweep for precise directional communication
Includes new preamble structures to accommodate 45 GHz-specific PHY requirements
Use Cases:
High-speed wireless links in the 45 GHz and 60 GHz bands for indoor environments
Localized high-throughput deployments (e.g., public venues, enterprise backhaul)
Ensuring regulatory compliance and compatibility within China’s mmWave spectrum
Related Concepts:
Multi-band operation between 802.11ad-compatible and 802.11aj-specific PHYs
Beamforming and channel access optimizations for Chinese mmWave bands
Adaptive modulation and coding schemes for variable propagation in 45/60 GHz
Legacy PHY reuse with updated synchronization and signaling
Explore the details of 802.11aj PHY: