802.11ay Channels

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.

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.

What is a frequency band in wireless communication?

A frequency band is a range of electromagnetic frequencies used for transmitting wireless signals.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Are 802.11ay channels overlapping?

No, 802.11ay channels are non-overlapping and widely spaced to support channel bonding and avoid interference.

What determines the number of usable channels?

The regional regulatory authority and local spectrum allocation rules determine the available 60 GHz channels.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How far apart are 802.11ay channels spaced?

Channels are spaced 2.16 GHz apart, allowing room for non-overlapping ultra-wide channel operation.

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.

How can co-channel interference be avoided in 802.11ay?

Using directional beamforming, spatial reuse, and coordinated channel assignments can minimize interference.

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.

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.

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.

Can 802.11ay channels be used outdoors?

Yes, but only under specific regional regulations, and range may be affected by rain and physical obstructions.

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.

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.

Topics in this section,

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

  • channel widths

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)

  • Reference links