With IoT being all about connectivity, any evolution in the field is going to be of interest to the industry. Cellular, satellite, and Wi-Fi: all play a role in getting devices online, with each undergoing significant changes and upgrades – like cellular going from 4G to 5G – which promise to bring additional benefits to the industry. Yet, less talked about is the next-gen of Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7.
Wi-FI remains one of the most common forms of IoT connectivity. Yet, the implementation and application of it, varies greatly due to the differing characteristics. Although somethings will remain the same, many things have changed in the latest iteration of Wi-Fi, and so with it, its applications.
What is Wi-Fi 7?
Like cellular, Wi-Fi has different generations of protocols that define the parameters by which it operates. Moving from Wi-Fi 6 to 7, it is designated as IEEE 802.11be, and represents the frontier of Wi-Fi technology, engineered to surpass the capabilities of its predecessors significantly.
It embodies a leap towards accommodating the exponential growth in data demand, providing a foundation for the future of wireless networking. With the capacity to achieve speeds up to 30 Gbps, Wi-Fi 7 not only triples the potential throughput compared to Wi-Fi 6 but also introduces improvements in efficiency, reliability, and spectrum usage. These enhancements are crucial for supporting the next generation of data-intensive applications, offering users a seamless and responsive wireless experience.
The advent of Wi-Fi 7 is set to catalyse advancements across a vast array of sectors. For entertainment, it means ultra-high-definition video streaming and more immersive gaming experiences with minimal lag. In the educational sphere, it enables interactive and virtual classrooms that can function smoothly without the constraints of bandwidth or connectivity issues. The business world will benefit from more reliable video conferencing and faster file transfers, enhancing productivity and collaboration. For emerging technologies like VR and AR, Wi-Fi 7’s low latency and high throughput are essential for delivering realistic experiences. Furthermore, in IoT, Wi-Fi 7’s capabilities ensure that a multitude of devices can be interconnected with higher efficiency and reliability, driving innovations in smart homes, smart cities, and industrial IoT applications.
Historical development
The lineage of Wi-Fi standards reflects the ongoing need to grow wireless communication as our world became more digital. Starting from IEEE 802.11 in 1997, each iteration has addressed specific challenges, be it speed, capacity, or efficiency.
Wi-Fi 7’s development is in direct response to the current era’s demands, where digital connectivity is ubiquitous.
The standard builds on the multi-gigabit speeds of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E, incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as enhanced Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing, increased Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, and wider channel bandwidths. These technological strides represent a concerted effort to meet the future head-on, prepared for the data demands of tomorrow’s digital landscapes.
Wi-Fi 7 sets itself apart through several groundbreaking features. Firstly, its support for 320 MHz channel bandwidth is a significant step up, allowing for the transmission of more data at once. The introduction of 4096-QAM means data can be encoded more densely, enhancing throughput substantially. Moreover, Wi-Fi 7’s Multi-Link Operation is a game-changer, allowing devices to utilise multiple Wi-Fi bands simultaneously. This not only reduces congestion and interference but also markedly improves connection reliability and speed. Furthermore, Wi-Fi 7 refines the concept of Spatial Reuse, enabling devices to coexist more harmoniously within crowded environments by making better use of available spectrum. These enhancements collectively signify Wi-Fi 7’s transformational potential in wireless technology.
New applications enabled by Wi-Fi 7
The capabilities of Wi-Fi 7 unlock the door to previously constrained applications in not only general network issues but the IoT ecosystem. By drastically reducing communication delays and increasing throughput, Wi-Fi 7 ensures that IoT devices can perform optimally, even in environments with dense device deployment.
In healthcare, it enables real-time remote monitoring and telehealth services, facilitating immediate medical responses. In the industrial sector, it allows for more sophisticated automation and machine-to-machine communications, driving efficiency and innovation. For smart cities, Wi-Fi 7’s robustness supports the vast network of sensors and devices required to manage urban environments effectively. Moreover, the technology’s low latency and high capacity make it ideal for supporting autonomous vehicle communication, ensuring safety and efficiency in real-time vehicle networks.
Its ability to efficiently manage a high volume of devices within a network is critical for the seamless operation of smart systems. This enhancement in connectivity and performance is vital for critical IoT applications where timing and reliability are paramount, paving the way for more innovative and complex IoT solutions.
Expected rollout
The transition to Wi-Fi 7 technology is anticipated to gain momentum towards the end of 2024, marking a new era in wireless communication. Initially, it is likely to be adopted in enterprise and industrial settings, where its advantages can be leveraged to the fullest. Consumer electronics and IoT devices will follow suit, gradually incorporating Wi-Fi 7 to offer users enhanced connectivity experiences.
The global adoption of Wi-Fi 7 will necessitate upgrades in infrastructure and devices, a process that will unfold over several years. Nonetheless, the transition represents a significant step forward in meeting the world’s increasing connectivity needs, heralding a future where digital experiences are more seamless, reliable, and immersive than ever before.
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