IEEE 802.15.4
802.11
RTL8188-dat == 802.11n
802.11 Wi-Fi Standards Comparison
| Standard | Wi-Fi Generation | Frequency Band(s) | Max Data Rate (Theoretical) | Max Channel Width | Key Technologies | Year Approved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11 | Legacy | 2.4 GHz | 2 Mbps | 22 MHz | DSSS, FHSS | 1997 |
| 802.11b | Legacy | 2.4 GHz | 11 Mbps | 22 MHz | DSSS | 1999 |
| 802.11a | Legacy | 5 GHz | 54 Mbps | 20 MHz | OFDM | 1999 |
| 802.11g | Legacy | 2.4 GHz | 54 Mbps | 20 MHz | OFDM | 2003 |
| 802.11n | Wi-Fi 4 | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 600 Mbps | 40 MHz | OFDM, MIMO | 2009 |
| 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 | 5 GHz | 6.9 Gbps | 160 MHz | OFDM, MIMO, MU-MIMO (Downlink) | 2014 |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 9.6 Gbps | 160 MHz | OFDMA, MU-MIMO (Up/Down), TWT, BSS Coloring | 2019 |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6E | 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz | 9.6 Gbps | 160 MHz | Adds 6 GHz band operation to Wi-Fi 6 | 2020 |
| 802.11be | Wi-Fi 7 | 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz | ~46 Gbps | 320 MHz | OFDMA enhancements, MLO, Advanced MU-MIMO | 2024 |
| 802.11ah | Wi-Fi HaLow | Sub-1 GHz | 347 Mbps | 16 MHz | OFDM, Long Range, Low Power, IoT Focused | 2016 |
Notes:
- Max Data Rate: These are theoretical maximums under ideal conditions with the highest configurations (e.g., maximum spatial streams, highest modulation). Real-world speeds are typically lower.
- Key Technologies:
- DSSS: Direct-Sequence Spread Spectrum
- FHSS: Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum
- OFDM: Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing
- MIMO: Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (using multiple antennas)
- MU-MIMO: Multi-User MIMO (allows simultaneous communication with multiple devices)
- OFDMA: Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (divides channel for multiple users)
- TWT: Target Wake Time (improves battery life for IoT devices)
- BSS Coloring: Reduces interference between neighboring networks
- MLO: Multi-Link Operation (aggregates multiple bands/channels)
- Wi-Fi 6E: Extends Wi-Fi 6 capabilities into the less congested 6 GHz band.
- Wi-Fi 7: The newest standard, focusing on extremely high throughput, lower latency, and improved reliability, particularly for demanding applications like AR/VR and cloud gaming.
general
IEEE standards are technical guidelines and specifications developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These standards ensure compatibility, safety, and interoperability for a wide range of technologies, including networking, electronics, telecommunications, and power systems.
Some well-known IEEE standards include:
- IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet)
- IEEE 802.11 (WiFi)
- IEEE 754 (Floating-point arithmetic)
IEEE standards are widely adopted globally and play a crucial role in advancing technology and ensuring devices from different manufacturers work together