This year, Wi-Fi 7 will appear, a new generation of wireless technology, focused on increasing reliability and reducing delays, while maintaining high data transfer speeds. According to Carlos Cordero, Chief Technical Director for Intel, this update aims to reduce delays and improve signal certainty.
One of the key novelties of Wi-Fi 7 is multi-link operation (MLO), which Kevin Robinson, president and general director of Wi-Fi Alliance, refers to as the “outstanding feature” of this new generation. MLO allows devices to distribute data to multiple channels in one or more frequency bands, enhancing reliability and reducing delays.
Wi-Fi 7 also increases the maximum channel size to 320 megahertz, providing greater throughput. However, in some regions, full 320-megahertz channels are not available due to other spectrum distributions. To overcome this, Wi-Fi 7 includes the function of “piercing,” which allows for exclusion of interference while maintaining an effective channel width.
Certification of Wi-Fi 7, planned for the first quarter of 2024, is the culmination of many years of joint work in the field of wireless communication. After certification, manufacturers will confirm the compliance of their devices with the established standards.
Separately from the certification process, the Wi-Fi Alliance IEEE is ratifying the new version of the 802.11 standard. It is important to note that these two concepts are not completely equivalent, as not everything indicated in the standard falls into the certification of Wi-Fi Alliance. However, the new version, 802.11BE, is expected to be ratified later this year, following the release of Wi-Fi 7 certification.
Once Wi-Fi Certified 7 is released, manufacturers will bring their devices to one of the 20 authorized testing laboratories around the world to verify compliance with the specifications established by Wi-Fi Alliance. The certification ensures that the devices will function correctly.
While Wi-Fi 7 devices are already available on the market, manufacturers will seek official certification as it becomes available. Furthermore, work on Wi-Fi 8 has already begun, indicating further advancements in wireless technologies.