GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, AURANGABAD

(An Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra)

“PERSUIT FOR EXCELLENCE”

SEMINAR REPORT
ON

“Wi-Fi 6”
SUBMITED
BY

Om Prashant Londhe
(Enrolment No. 186027)

GUIDED
BY

Mr. V. B. Patil
(Lecturer in Computer Engineering)

ACADEMIC YEAR 2020-21

DEPARTMENT
OF
COMPUTER ENGINEERING
 GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC, AURANGABAD
(An Autonomous Institute of Government of Maharashtra)

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Om Prashant Londhe has successfully completed seminar
regarding topic “Wi-Fi 6” during the academic year 2020-2021, in partial fulfilment of
Diploma in Computer Engineering of Government Polytechnic, Aurangabad. To the best of
my knowledge and belief this seminar work has not been submitted elsewhere.

Date: 22/01/2021

Mr. V. B. Patil Mr. D. S. Sonwane

(Lecturer in Computer Eng.) H.O.D CO/IT
Seminar Guide

Prof. F. A. KHAN
PRINCIPAL
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We take an immense pleasure in thanking Prof. F. A. Khan, the principal, Government

Polytechnic, Aurangabad, our source of inspiration. We wish to express our deep sense of
gratitude to Mr. D. S. Sonwane, our respected Head of Department Computer Engineering,
and Mr. V. B. Patil, my guide for having permitted us to carry out this seminar under his
valuable guidance and useful suggestions, which have helped us in completing the seminar
in time.

I would also like to thank to all our faculty members of our department for their
valuable suggestion in the process of this project work. Finally, yet importantly, I would like
to express our thanks to our beloved parents for their blessings. Last but never the least; let
us thanks our friends and classmates for their help and co-operation for the successful
completion of this seminar.

Mr. Om Prashant Londhe

(Enrolment No: 186027)
 INDEX
• Abstract ………………………………………………………………………… 1

1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………... 2
1.1. What is Wi-Fi?
1.2. Why is it called Wi-Fi 6?
1.3. Speed comparison of Wi-Fi 6
2. What is interesting about Wi-Fi 6 ………………………………………………. 7
2.1. Wi-Fi 6 is High-efficiency wireless!

3. Robustness of Wi-Fi 6 .………………………………………………………….. 8

3.1. OFDMA
3.1.1. Working of OFDMA
3.1.2. What is Frequency Channel?
3.1.3. What is channel Bonding?
3.2. BSS Colouring
3.2.1. What is BSS Colouring?
3.3. TWT for IOT Devices
3.3.1. What is TWT?
3.3.2. Working of TWT

4. MU-MIMO ……………………………………………………………………... 18
4.1. Multiple-Input Multiple-Output
4.2. How does MIMO work?
4.3. What is MU-MIMO?
4.4. How MIMO works with wireless devices?
4.5. Types of MIMO implementations available in wireless routers
4.6. Diagrams showing difference between MIMO and MU-MIMO

5. Upgrades in Wi-Fi 6 …………………………………………………………. .. 21

5.1. Wi-Fi 6 Chains
5.2. Wi-Fi 6 Modulation
5.3. 2.4GHz change in Wi-Fi 6
 5.4. Wi-Fi 6E
5.5. Wi-Fi 6E brings Wi-Fi to 6GHz

6. How Wi-Fi 6 works? …………………………………………………………..... 33

7. Benefits of Wi-Fi 6 ………………………………………………………………. 35

8. Deployment problems of Wi-Fi 6 ……………………………………………... 41

8.1. Is Wi-Fi 6 pre-standard?
8.2. What about client devices?
8.3. Will old devices slow down the network?
8.4. How many years will this transition take?
8.5. Should we upgrade to Wi-Fi 6?

9. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………... 45

10. References ……………………………………………………………………... 46

10.1. Textual References
10.2. Video References
 1

Abstract

In last quarter of 2018, Wi-Fi 6 was showcased officially in CES i.e. Consumer
Electronics Show. Before that, we were using Wi-Fi 5 which was previously called as Wi-Fi
802.11ac. Before Wi-Fi 6 the Wi-Fi technology was very inefficient. So, Wi-Fi 6 is built by
considering the efficiency i.e. as efficient as possible.

Wi-Fi 6 is efficient and the efficiency results in the robustness of the Wi-Fi 6. Reasons for
the efficiency of Wi-Fi 6 are OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access), MU-
MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output), TWT (Target Wake Time), BSS Colouring
(Basic Service Set Colouring), 8x8 Chaining. All these factors work together to make the Wi-
Fi 6 even better.

In Wi-Fi 6 some new things are also introduced, like we can see 6GHz frequency in the
Wi-Fi 6 under the name Wi-Fi 6E where ‘E’ stands for the “Extended”. Also, we have a new
thing which we were using in the old standard 802.11n which we now call as Wi-Fi 4. And it is
called as 2.4GHz frequency band. It is helping us in Wi-Fi 6 to increase the efficiency of the
Wi-Fi in terms of coverage area.
 2

1. INTRODUCTION

The next generation of the Wi-Fi standard is Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, the latest
step in a journey of nonstop innovation. The standard builds on the strengths of 802.11ac while
adding efficiency, flexibility, and scalability that allows new and existing networks increased
speed and capacity with next-generation applications.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) proposed the Wi-Fi 6
standard so it can couple the freedom and high speed of Gigabit Ethernet wireless with the
reliability and predictability found in licensed radio.

Fig 1.1 Image Showing Wi-Fi 6

1.1 What is Wi-Fi 6?

Quite simply, Wi-Fi 6 is a new wireless standard. Also called 802.11ax, it is poised to
make big waves in network connectivity and user experience improvements. Wi-Fi 6 is the
successor of IEEE 802.11ac. Firstly it was showcased in CES (Consumer Electronic Show)
2018. Wi-Fi 6 is nothing but next generation Wi-Fi. IEEE standard for Wi-Fi 6 is 802.11ax.

Access to applications. Access to data. Access to services. Your network has the power
to reliably deliver access to data and applications to the right users across your organization.
But what happens when the demand for mobility continues to increase? New advances in
technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and Wi-Fi 6 are addressing the need for
 3

more mobile access. As a result, the way we’ve built networks in the past is changing for
businesses of every size.

Wi-Fi 6 is opening up new possibilities for wireless. Improved speed, capacity, and
control will not only support existing applications with greater performance and improved
experiences but also drive new innovations that will change the way people work.

Wi-Fi 6 began its ramp-up in 2019, and although the standard was ratified in September
of that year, Samsung launched a Wi-Fi 6 device in February. Cisco worked with Samsung
behind the scenes to validate that Wi-Fi 6 actually delivers faster connections, more capacity,
and longer battery life.

1.2 Why is it called Wi-Fi 6?

You may be wondering that we have never seen anything like Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 4 or Wi-
Fi 3 earlier, then how this Wi-Fi 6 directly came into the picture?

Real name of Wi-Fi 6 is 802.11ax but Wi-Fi Alliance and IEEE understood that non-
technical or say non-geek people who are no that much connected to this field cannot remember
the standards or say names like 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11a, 802.11b,
because the names that IEEE standards give to the new Wi-Fi standard are very inconsistent.
So, Wi-Fi Alliance suggested IEEE to start the new naming convections with the older IEEE
standard naming convection.

So, Wi-Fi Alliance and IEEE standards institute decided that they should start this new
naming convection and it is as follows –

Fig. 1.2(a) Diagram showing Wi-Fi Version release history and naming conventions
 4

Fig. 1.2(b) Diagram showing Wi-Fi Version release history and naming conventions

This time they not only changed the names of Wi-Fi but they also showcased new Visuals
for the Wi-Fi.

These days no one is using Wi-Fi 3 i.e. 802.11g or Wi-Fi 2 i.e. 802.11a or the first
generation Wi-Fi i.e. 802.11b so the visuals are not changed for -

1. Wi-Fi 1 (802.11b)

2. Wi-Fi 2 (802.11a)

3. Wi-Fi 3 (802.11g)

But the visual change is for everything that is operated over the Wi-Fi starting from Wi-Fi
4 i.e. 802.11n to the newest version of the Wi-Fi i.e. Wi-Fi 6 technically called as 802.11ax.
The visuals are given below –
 5

Fig. 1.3 Diagram showing new Wi-Fi Visuals

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1.3 Speed comparison of Wi-Fi 6?

Fig. 1.4 Diagram showing Wi-Fi 6

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2. WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT WI-FI 6?

802.11ac or say Wi-Fi 5 was able to transfer 8 bits of data at a time but using Wi-Fi 6
we can transfer 10 bits of data at a time. It is said by Wi-Fi alliance that Wi-Fi 6 is more efficient
than 802.11ac. The interesting thing about Wi-Fi 6 is efficiency.

2.1 Wi-Fi 6 is High-efficiency wireless!

From the first IEEE 802.11b networks back in 1999 to today’s

extensive 802.11ac deployments, Wi-Fi networks have grown and developed to cope with the
increased demands for wireless devices and services. The speed of Wi-Fi networks has
progressed from 11 Mbps to 54 Mbps, and then to 150 Mbps for single-stream connections.
Since 2013 the 802.11ac standard has again increased speeds as well as spatial streams up to
an impressive 6.97 Gbps of bandwidth for 8 streams.

The continued explosion in the number and diversity of wireless devices has still placed
great stress on 802.11ac networks. In particular, the rapid adoption of devices with a heavy
reliance on voice, video and other bandwidth-intensive applications, are driving the need for
more capacity. The issue with the shared medium of wireless is that raw data speed is not the
only problem. Despite the impressive speed of current 802.11ac networks, they become
inefficient with a large number of users in high-density deployments. In locations such as
airports and sports stadiums, the throughput for many Wi-Fi users can slow to a frustrating
trickle. To solve this problem, the new 11ax Wi-Fi 6 standard promises not only to increase
Wi-Fi connectivity speeds, but also boost multi-user performance, provide better spectrum
reuse, as well as improve device power management for longer battery life. The 11ax standard
has therefore been called “high-efficiency wireless,” with the target to increase average
throughput per user more than four times in high-density environments, and generally provide
a much-improved experience for the average Wi-Fi user.

In Wi-Fi 6 the efficiency is because of the better use of the frequency channels rather
than increasing the frequency channels in the Wi-Fi 6. While transitioning from the older
standards we were thinking about only the Speeds or the throughputs. But while transitioning
from the Wi-Fi 5 i.e. 802.11ac to the Wi-Fi 6 i.e. 802.11ax we are trying to increase the
efficiency of the Wi-Fi by introducing the new technologies in the 802.11 IEEE standard.
 8

3. ROBUSTNESS OF WI-FI 6

Wi-Fi 6 is more robust than any other generation of Wi-Fi. This robustness is because
of following concepts introduced in Wi-Fi 6.

• OFDMA means Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access.

• BSS Colouring means Basic Service Set Colouring.
• TWT for IOT devices here TWT means Target Wake Time.

These all are the main contributors in the efficiency of the Wi-Fi 6 and as we know the
efficiency results in the robustness of the Wi-Fi.

3.1 OFDMA:

In 802.11ac we were using OFDM. OFDM stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing. This means that when a device is accessing the data the whole channel is
allocated to that device. And other devices connected waits until a particular time interval for
that device is over. Then the channel is switched to the next device to let it use the internet
and so on. This process is so fast that we do not experience a delay. But can experience
greater fluctuation in the latency and thus delay as more devices are connected.

In Wi-Fi 6 we use OFDMA. OFDMA stands for Orthogonal Frequency Division

Multiple Access. This technology is adopted from Cellular technology. In Wi-Fi 6 we are
making better use of existing frequency channels. We are dividing existing frequency
channels in smaller sub-channels using OFDMA.

Each device connected to Wi-Fi is assigned a sub-channel and the device is always
tuned to that particular sub-channel and data is transferred using that sub-channel only.
Sub-Channels are also called as Resource units. This technique is more efficient than that of
OFDM.

Let’s take the analogy of the Truck OFDM is like sending 3 large trucks to 3 persons
with very less items in them, this will waste time, fuel and storage space of the trucks but if it
 9

is possible to send goods to all of them using a single truck then this will save time, fuel and
storage space. Similarly, when we use OFDM we are wasting time, power and channel width
and in OFDMA we are saving them and thus efficiency is increased.

Fig. 3.1 Diagram showing difference of OFDM and OFDMA

3.1.1 WORKING OF OFDMA:

Based on feedback information about the channel conditions, adaptive user-to-

subcarrier assignment can be achieved. If the assignment is done sufficiently fast, this further
improves the OFDM robustness to fast fading and narrow-band cochannel interference, and
makes it possible to achieve even better system spectral efficiency.

Different numbers of sub-carriers can be assigned to different users, in view to support

differentiated Quality of Service (QoS), i.e. to control the data rate and error probability
individually for each user.

OFDMA can be seen as an alternative to combining OFDM with time-division multiple

access (TDMA) or time-domain statistical multiplexing communication. Low-data-rate users
can send continuously with low transmission power instead of using a "pulsed" high-power
carrier. Constant delay, and shorter delay, can be achieved.
 10

OFDMA can also be described as a combination of frequency-domain and time-domain

multiple access, where the resources are partitioned in the time–frequency space, and slots are
assigned along the OFDM symbol index, as well as OFDM sub-carrier index.

OFDMA is considered as highly suitable for broadband wireless networks, due to

advantages including scalability and use of multiple antennas (MIMO)-friendliness, and ability
to take advantage of channel frequency selectivity.

In spectrum sensing cognitive radio, OFDMA is a possible approach to filling free radio
frequency bands adaptively. Timo A. Weiss and Friedrich K. Jondral of the University of
Karlsruhe proposed a spectrum pooling system in which free bands sensed by nodes were
immediately filled by OFDMA sub-bands.

Fig. 3.2 Diagram showing graphical comparison between OFDM and OFDMA

3.1.2 WHAT IS FREQUENCY CHANNEL?

Before we discuss Wi-Fi channel width, let's recap what Wi-Fi channels are. Essentially,
Wi-Fi channels are smaller bands within Wi-Fi frequency bands that are used by your wireless
network to send and receive data. Depending on which frequency band your router is using,
you have a certain number of Wi-Fi channels to choose from:

• 11 Wi-Fi channels are in the 2.4 GHz frequency band

• 45 Wi-Fi channels are in the 5 GHz frequency band

 11

The key takeaway here is that some Wi-Fi channels are better to use than others because
of interference, specifically Co-Channel interference and Adjacent-Channel interference. In
the former, devices are competing for time to talk on the same channel. In the latter, devices
from overlapping channels are trying to talk over each other. You can avoid such interference
by choosing to use a non-overlapping, uncrowded Wi-Fi channel.

Fir. 3.3 Diagram showing representation of Wi-Fi frequency channels

3.1.3 WHAT IS CHANNEL BONDING:

Channel bonding is a practice commonly used in IEEE 802.11 implementations in

which two adjacent channels within a given frequency band are combined to increase
throughput between two or more wireless devices.
 12

Channel bonding is also known as Ethernet bonding, but it is used heavily in Wi-Fi
implementations. It has become a very popular technique in the world of Wi-Fi because its
increased throughput provides for more functionality within Wi-Fi deployments. Channel
bonding is also known as NIC bonding.

Fig. 3.4 Diagram showing Channel Bonding

Fig. 3.5 Diagram showing Wi-Fi 5GHz Channelization

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3.2 BSS COLOURING:

3.2.1 What is BSS Colouring?

Legacy high-density Wi-Fi deployments typically saw multiple access points assigned
to the same transmission channels due to a limited amount of spectrum – an inefficient
paradigm that contributed to network congestion and slowdowns. Moreover, legacy IEEE
802.11 devices were unable to effectively communicate and negotiate with each other to
maximize channel resources. In contrast, Wi-Fi 6 access points are designed to optimize the
efficient reuse of spectrum in dense deployment scenarios using a range of techniques,
including BSS Colouring. This mechanism intelligently ‘color-codes’ – or marks – shared
frequencies with a number that is included within the PHY header that is passed between the
device and the network. In real-world terms, these colour codes allow access points to decide
if the simultaneous use of spectrum is permissible because the channel is only busy and
unavailable to use when the same colour is detected. This helps mitigate overlapping Basic
Service Sets (OBSS). In turn, this enables a network to more effectively – and concurrently –
transmit data to multiple devices in congested areas. This is achieved by identifying OBSS,
negotiating medium contention and determining the most appropriate interference management
techniques. Colouring also allows Wi-Fi 6 access points to precisely adjust Clear Channel
Assessment (CCA) parameters, including energy (adaptive power) and signal detection
(sensitivity thresholds) levels.

BSS stands for Basic Service Set. BSS Colouring is the process of assigning a colour
code to the SSID (Service Set Identifier). Colour codes of BSS Colouring ranges from 0 to 63
so that we can uniquely identify the Wireless Local Area Network i.e. WLAN using that SSID
and separate them from other WLANs using BSS Colouring. It is used as collision avoidance
mechanism for Wi-Fi 6 and is very useful where there are many routers in the small area and
their frequencies interferes. If you are using dual band Wi-Fi router then your Router will have
two different BSS colour codes.

A basic service set (BSS) is the cornerstone topology of any 802.11 network. The
communicating devices that make up a BSS consist of one access point radio with one or more
client stations.
 14

Fig. 3.6 Diagram showing BSS Colouring

Wi-Fi 6 radios are able to differentiate between BSSs using a BSS colour identifier
when other radios transmit on the same channel. If the colour is the same, this is considered to
be an intra-BSS frame transmission. In other words, the transmitting radio belongs to the same
BSS as the receiver. If the detected frame has a different BSS colour from its own, then the
STA considers that frame as an inter-BSS frame from an overlapping BSS.

An 802.11ax access point has the ability to change its BSS colour if it detects an OBSS
using the same colour. The duplicate colour detection of an OBSS is also referred to as a colour
collision.

The following diagram shows 2 Access points with their Communication radius and
Interference radius intersecting each other and we can see how Clients identify the Access Point
to which it is connected by recognizing the BSS Colour Code of the Access Point to which it
is connected and communicates only with it even if it is in the interference radius making Wi-
Fi 6 more efficient in terms of the co-channel interference which was the major problem in the
previous versions of Wi-Fi.
 15

Fig. 3.7 Diagram showing working of BSS Colouring

The picture shows the difference between network with BSS (Basic Service Set)
coloring and without BSS (Basic Service Set) coloring. As you can see that the network with
the BSS (Basic Service Set) coloring enabled is more resistant to the co-channel interference
rather than the network shown on the left side which do not have the BSS (Basic Service Set)
Coloring.

Fig. 3.8 Diagram showing difference between network using BSS Colouring and
network not using BSS Colouring
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3.3 TWT FOR IOT DEVICES:

3.3.1 WHAT IS TWT?

TWT stands for Target Wake Time. The existing Wi-Fi client power-saving
mechanisms have been in use since 802.11b, where the client devices sleep between AP
beacons or multiple beacons, waking up only when they have data to transmit (they can transmit
at any time, as AP does not sleep), and beacons containing the Delivery Traffic Indication Map
(DTIM), a bit-map, indicates that the AP has downlink traffic buffered for transmission to
particular clients.

If a client has a DTIM bit set, it can retrieve data from the AP by sending a Power-Save
Poll (PS-Poll) frame to the AP. This power-save scheme is effective but only allows clients to
doze for a small beacon interval. Clients still need to wake up several times per second to read
DTIM from the beacon frame of the AP.

With 802.11e, the new power-saving mechanism was introduced that helps voice-
capable Wi-Fi devices, as voice packets are transmitted at short time intervals, typically
20ms/sec. Unscheduled automatic power-save delivery (U-APSD) allows a power-save client
to sleep at intervals within a beacon period. AP buffers the downlink traffic until the client
wakes up and requests its delivery.

Target wake time (TWT) allows an AP to manage activity in the Wi-Fi network, in
order to minimize medium contention between Stations (STAs), and to reduce the required
amount of time that an STA in the power-save mode needs to be awake. This is achieved by
allocating STAs to operate at non-overlapping times, and/or frequencies, and concentrate the
frame exchanges in predefined service periods.

TWT capable STA can either negotiate an individual TWT agreement with TWT-
scheduling AP, or it can elect to be part or member of Broadcast TWT agreement existing on
the AP. An STA does not need to be aware that a TWT service period (SP) can be used to
exchange frames with other STAs. Frames transmitted during a TWT SP can be carried in any
PPDU format supported by the pair of STAs that have established the

TWT agreement corresponding to that TWT SP, including High Efficiency Multi-User
Physical Protocol Data Unit (HE MU PPDU), High Efficiency Trigger-Based Physical
Protocol Data Unit (HE TB PPDU), and so on.
 17

TWT (Target Wake Time) needs a Wi-Fi 6 module to be installed in the IOT device so
that it can support this technology and save the battery. But at this time there are very less IOT
devices available with this technology as it is quite expensive and very less people have the
Wi-Fi 6 connection to support the Wi-Fi 6 IOT devices as an Access Point.

3.3.2 WORKING OF TWT:

TWT works in two ways -

• Either IOT device can schedule itself on its own using its own scheduler.
• Wi-Fi Access point can have its own scheduler and it schedule the IOT device
accordingly.

Suppose that we have an IOT candle which is connected to the internet and indicates the
amount of wax in it. Then the candle can itself start accessing the Internet from the Wi-Fi 6
Access Point at about 6 p.m. check the Wax amount and notifies us about amount of wax
present in it. Or Access point can also schedule the candle itself and send the signal to the
candle to access the internet and will check the amount of the wax and notify us about the
amount of wax.

Fig. 3.9 Diagram showing how Access Point negotiates which device to wake up
 18

4. MU-MIMO

4.1 Multiple-Input Multiple-Output

Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) is a wireless technology that uses multiple

transmitters and receivers to transfer more data at the same time. All wireless products with
802.11n support MIMO. The technology helps allow 802.11n to reach higher speeds than
products without 802.11n.

4.2 How does MIMO work?

An acronym for Multiple-In, Multiple-Out, MIMO communication sends the same data
as several signals simultaneously through multiple antennas, while still utilizing a single radio
channel. This is a form of antenna diversity, which uses multiple antennas to improve signal
quality and strength of an RF link.

4.3 What is MU-MIMO?

We were using MIMO in Wi-Fi 4 i.e. 802.11n and Wi-Fi 5 i.e. 802.11ac but in Wi-Fi 6
i.e. 802.11ax we are now using something called as OFDMA which is resulting in the Multiple
User MIMO.

MU-MIMO stands for multi-user, multiple input, multiple output, and is wireless
technology supported by routers and endpoint devices. MU-MIMO is the next evolution from
single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO), which is generally referred to as MIMO. MIMO technology
was created to help increase the number of antennas on a wireless router that are used for both
receiving and transmitting, improving capacity for wireless connections.

MU-MIMO technology is also sometimes referred to as Next-Gen AC or AC Wave 2,

the AC part referring to the 802.11ac protocol. Standards older than 802.11ac (such as 802.11b,
g and n) do not support MU-MIMO.

When the standard came out a few years ago, only routers and access points supported
the technology. Since then, many endpoint devices now support MU-MIMO (Wi-Fi chipmaker
Qualcomm has a list of devices – including iPhones versions 6, 6 Plus and later – that
 19

incorporate its 802.11ac MU-MIMO technology, and the Wi-Fi Alliance has a list of more than
550 products with MU-MIMO technology).

Fig. 4.1 Diagram showing brief working of MU-MIMO

4.4 HOW MU-MIMO WORKS WITH WIRELESS DEVICES?

MU-MIMO was created to support environments where multiple users are trying to
access the wireless network at the same time. The nature of the 802.11 protocol is that users
are served on a first-come, first-serve basis.

When multiple users begin accessing the router at or near the same time, congestion
can be introduced as the router services the first user’s request while the second (and third,
fourth, etc.) wait. While these times can be miniscule, it can add up with more devices
(smartphones, tablets, computers, etc.) and users asking for resources. MU-MIMO helps this
by allowing for multiple users to access router functions without the congestion.
 20

Types of MU-MIMO implementations available in wireless routers:

MU-MIMO technology breaks up the available bandwidth into separate, individual

streams that share the connection equally. A MU-MIMO router can come in 2x2, 3x3 or 4x4
variations, which refer to the number of streams (two, three or four) that are created by the
router (there’s also talk of 8x8 coming in 2018).

Fig. 4.2 Diagrams showing difference between MIMO and MU-MIMO

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5. UPGRADES IN WI-FI 6

5.1 WI-FI 6 CHAINS:

In 802.11ac we were using Wi-Fi chains of combination 2x2, 3x3 and 4x4 only.
Now in Wi-Fi 6 we can use 8x8 chaining. Using 8 transmitters and 8 receivers increases the
speed.

Suppose 8 devices are connected to the Access point, using 8x8 chaining then those 8
devices will get their individual transmitter and receiver thus each single device connected can
talk to its own transmitter and its own receiver assigned to it increasing the efficiency. Radio
chains will use the operating channel you configured to use for your Wi-Fi Access point.

As like Wi-Fi 6 our Smartphones can also use 8x8 chaining and it can also work so fast
while using the Wi-Fi or while working as Hotspot to serve internet; But 8 transmitters and 8
receivers will drain our mobile’s battery very quickly, so we use only 2x2 chaining in
smartphones.

More antennas are usually good for antenna diversity. Antenna diversity, also known
as space diversity or spatial diversity, is any one of several wireless diversity schemes that uses
two or more antennas to improve the quality and reliability of a wireless link. Often, especially
in urban and indoor environments, there is no clear line-of-sight (LOS) between transmitter
and receiver. Instead, the signal is reflected along multiple paths before finally being received.
Each of these bounces can introduce phase shifts, time delays, attenuations, and distortions that
can destructively interfere with one another at the aperture of the receiving antenna.

Antenna diversity is especially effective at mitigating these multipath situations. This

is because multiple antennas offer a receiver several observations of the same signal. Each
antenna will experience a different interference environment. Thus, if one antenna is
experiencing a deep fade, it is likely that another has a sufficient signal. Collectively such a
system can provide a robust link. While this is primarily seen in receiving systems (diversity
reception), the analog has also proven valuable for transmitting systems (transmit diversity) as
well.

Inherently an antenna diversity scheme requires additional hardware and integration

versus a single antenna system but due to the commonality of the signal paths a fair amount of
 22

circuitry can be shared. Also, with the multiple signals there is a greater processing demand
placed on the receiver, which can lead to tighter design requirements. Typically, however,
signal reliability is paramount and using multiple antennas is an effective way to decrease the
number of drop-outs and lost connections.

Fig. 5.1 Diagram showing Antenna Diversity

Fig. 5.2 Diagram showing 8x8 chained Router

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5.2 WI-FI 6 MODULATION:

Modulation is defined as the process of manipulating a carrier signal so that it can

represent intelligent information. Multiple kinds of modulation exist, but they fall into two
general categories: digital modulation and analog modulation.

An analog modulation technique is used to represent a continuously varying analog

signal, such as a sound wave. A digital modulation technique is used to represent a constrained
number of values (digital signals) as binary bits are transmitted. Wireless LANs use digital
modulation to transmit digital signals.

An RF signal can be modulated by manipulating the frequency, phase, or amplitude.

Amplitude modulation is not sufficient alone for wireless LAN technologies since the
amplitude is often affected by interference. This leaves frequency and phase modulation and
newer wireless LAN technologies use different kinds of phase modulation to achieve
communications. Frequency modulation is also used, though it is less common today. In
addition, amplitude modulation may be combined with phase modulation to increase potential
data rates, such as in Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM).

Fig. 5.3 Diagram showing sinusoidal wave of QAM in Wi-Fi 6

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Keep in mind that all computer processing is the manipulation of binary 1s and 0s. You
can think of them as positive or negative, on or off, true or false; but they are usually referred
to as bits and we call combinations of these bits binary numbers. For example, the computer
byte is eight bits and these eight bits are said to form an eight-bit binary number. The binary
number 01101101 is one byte and can represent anything that a coding system specifies. If it
is used to represent whether eight different lights are off or on and a 0 means the light is off
while a one means the light is on, we know that three of the lights are off and five of the lights
are on in this case. The point is simple: once you define what the 0s and 1s mean you can use
them to communicate massive amounts of information and any kind of information.

How does this relate to modulation? RF signals are modulated so that they can represent
these 0s and 1s. As long as a 0 or 1 can be represented any computer information can be
transferred to the signal.

Consider the following very simple example. Assume that two devices are configured
to read signals at 1-millisecond intervals and that a change in phase would indicate a change in
bit representation. In other words, every time the phase changes we toggle the bit. If there is
no phase change, the devices assume the bit should stay the same as it was during the last 1-
millisecond interval. Therefore, once communications are established and a starting bit
sequence (let's say 010) is defined, any sequence of bits can be transmitted going forward.
Stated directly, let's say that when actual data communications are about to begin, there is
always a flip from 0 to 1 to 0 so that the receiving device knows to begin processing the next
phase changes as information. The following image illustrates this fictitious simple
communications system.

In this example, as depicted in the preceding image, the sending alert – which you could
refer to as a preamble – is sent first as 180-degree phase shifts from 0 to 1 and then back to 0.
Next, two 0s are sent so there is not a phase shift and these two 0s are followed by four 1s
indicated by a phase shift at millisecond 6. Finally, another phase shift at millisecond 10
indicates that the transmission should now represent a 0 and the two 0s end the eight-bit binary
number that was transmitted.
 25

Fig 5.4 Diagram showing Graphical representation of QAM in

Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6

While this is not an actual "in-use" modulation, it simplifies the modulation concept
and helps you to begin understanding how phase-based modulation can function. Even this
simple modulation example is dependent on the devices knowing the modulation scheme,
which includes both the phase shifting algorithm and the time window within which to accept
a single bit. This phase shifting algorithm is often called the keying mechanism of the
modulation and the time window is called the symbol or symbol period. Technically, the
symbol is the smallest unit of data transmitted at one time. For example, BPSK modulation
transmits one bit at a time where 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) transfers four
bits at a time.

All modulation methods work in a similar manner but expanded with more complexity.
For example, different waveforms can represent varying points on a constellation with
advanced modulation keying schemes resulting in higher data rates. Such systems are used in
QAM solutions implemented in 802.11 networks.

Modulation determines your data rates, Speed, throughputs. We measure it in

Quadrature Amplitude Modulation i.e. QAM. Wi-Fi 5 was having 256 QAM and Wi-Fi 6 have
1024 QAM.
 26

When transmitter modulates at 1024 QAM then receiver must be able to demodulate it
and acknowledge that it received the data. High modulation requires low SNR i.e. Signal to
Noise Ratio. Wi-Fi 5 was able to send 8 bits of data at a time because it was having 256 QAM
but Wi-Fi 6 now can send 10 bits of data at a time because of 1024 QAM modulation. This
means 25% faster data transmission.

Fig. 5.5 Diagram showing QAM bits in 1024 QAM modulation

5.3 2.4GHz CHANGE IN WI-FI 6:

We know that Wi-Fi works on 2.4GHz as well as 5GHz; But 2.4GHz was not the part
of the 802.11ac i.e. Wi-Fi 5 according to new naming convection. The 2.4 GHz band provides
coverage at a longer range but transmits data at slower speeds. The 5 GHz band provides less
coverage but transmits data at faster speeds. ... Many WiFi-enabled technologies and other
household devices use the 2.4 GHz band, including microwaves and garage door openers.

2.4GHz band is back in Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) to increase the efficiency of the Wi-Fi 6 in
terms of the coverage area. Wi-Fi 6 is the best Wi-Fi for IOT devices. As IOT devices do not
need more bandwidth so while serving to many IOT devices we can use this 2.4GHz frequency
band so support long range coverage.
 27

Following diagram shows the channelization in the 2.4GHz Frequency band according
to its manufacturing origin – Unites States of America. This diagram also compares the
Channels of 5GHz frequency band with the number frequency channels in 2.4GHz frequency
band.

Fig. 5.6 Diagram showing 2.4GHz channelization

Following is the diagram showing the frequency band of 2.4GHz and 5GHz along with
the version of the Wi-Fi according to the IEEE standard names and the table is showing that in
which Wi-Fi version the 2.4GHz Frequency band was available and in which version the 5GHz
Frequency band was available.

Fig. 5.7 Diagram showing availability of 2.4GHz band in different Wi-Fi versions
 28

Fig. 5.8 Diagram showing 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band frequencies

5.4 WI-FI 6E:

Wi-Fi 6E is the industry name that identifies Wi-Fi devices that operate in 6 GHz. Wi-
Fi 6E offers the features and capabilities of Wi-Fi 6—including higher performance, lower
latency, and faster data rates—extended into the 6 GHz band. The additional spectrum capacity
used by Wi-Fi 6E devices enables more Wi-Fi innovation and delivers valuable contributions
to consumers, businesses, and economies.1 Wi-Fi Alliance® members are preparing devices
to enter the market where the 6 GHz spectrum is available, and are expected to ship over 300
million devices in 2021. 2 6 GHz brings additional spectrum capacity through contiguous
spectrum blocks, which accommodate 14 additional 80 MHz channels or seven additional 160
MHz wide channels. Wi-Fi 6E utilizes the less congested 6 GHz band to enable high-bandwidth
applications that require faster data throughput, as well as lower latency connectivity that is
specifically well suited for next generation uses, such as unified communications, cloud
computing, augmented and virtual reality, and telepresence.
 29

Fig. 5.9 Diagram showing features of Wi-Fi 6E

The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6™ certification program from Wi-Fi Alliance has added a
certification option for Wi-Fi 6E devices, which extends Wi-Fi into 6 GHz. Devices certified
for Wi-Fi 6E provide the advanced features of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 and Wi-Fi CERTIFIED
WPA3™ security, offering substantial gains in overall Wi-Fi network performance in
challenging environments that are characterized by many connected devices such as stadiums,
airports, and industrial parks. As 6 GHz becomes available in many markets around the globe,
Wi-Fi Alliance certification enables worldwide inter-operabililty of Wi-Fi 6E devices. Wi-Fi
6E delivers these advanced capabilities of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6:

• Multi-user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO): allows more downlink data to
be transferred at once and enables an access point to transmit data to a larger number
of devices concurrently.

• 160 MHz channels: increases bandwidth to deliver greater performance with low
latency.

• Target wake time (TWT): significantly improves battery life in Wi-Fi devices, such as
Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

• 1024 quadrature amplitude modulation mode (1024-QAM): increases throughput in

Wi-Fi devices by encoding more data in the same amount of spectrum
 30

• Transmit beamforming: enables higher data rates at a given range resulting in greater
network capacity.

• Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA): effectively shares channels

to increase network efficiency and lower latency for both uplink and downlink traffic
in high demand environments.

Fig. 5.10 Diagram showing features of Wi-Fi 6E

The following image is showing histogram. The histogram shows how the Wi-Fi 6E or
say 6GHz frequency band in Wi-Fi increases or boosts the performance of the Wi-Fi as
compared with 2.4GHz frequency band on 20MHz wide channel and 5GHz frequency band
with 80MHz wide channel. Here, we are considering the frequency channel of 6GHz with
160MHz wide frequency.
 31

Fig. 5.11 Diagram showing performance histogram for Wi-Fi 6E compared with 2.4GHz
and 5GHz of Wi-Fi

Following image is a table showing the Frequency bands of 2.4GHz, 5GHz and also
the newer 6GHz which is recently introduced in Wi-Fi 6 with the name Wi-Fi 6E, where ‘E’
stands for “Extended”.

The chart not only consist of all these bands but it also consists of the versions of Wi-
Fi from Wi-Fi 1 to Wi-Fi 6 –

1. Wi-Fi 1 - 802.11b
2. Wi-Fi 2 - 802.11a
3. Wi-Fi 3 - 802.11g
4. Wi-Fi 4 - 802.11n
5. Wi-Fi 5 - 802.11ac
6. Wi-Fi 6 - 802.11ax

And it shows in which version we were using which frequency band.

 32

Fig. 5.12 Diagram showing frequency bands and the version of Wi-Fi in which they
were available

The following shows pictorial comparison between the channel widths available in the
2.4GHz frequency band, 5GHz frequency band and also newly introduced 6GHz frequency
band.

Fig. 5.13 Diagram showing frequency channels in different frequency bands of Wi-Fi
 33

6. HOW WI-FI 6 WORKS?

In Wi-Fi 6 we use OFDMA, which means we have divided the channels into sub-
channels which we also call as Resource units. This is the technology adopted from Cellular
technology.

Using OFDMA is like we have a highway where we were having a single lane and one
vehicle is allowed at a time to pass even two cars can pass side-by-side at a time and we divided
that highway into multiple lanes and sending traffic through it, if there are 2 truck, 3 cars, 7
bikes then we are sending a truck at a time, two cars at a time, 5 bikes at a time, a car and two
bikes at a time. This way we can save time and fuel. Similarly, in Wi-Fi 6 we have divided
Frequency channels and passing data through it.

One device uses one sub-channel or Resource unit and it is as large as its requirement.
If three devices are connected to the Wi-Fi 6. Say a Smartphone accessing Instagram fees, a
Laptop streaming a 4K video and an IOT Light waiting for your commands to change light
accordingly.

Here the light will need very less bandwidth, a Smartphone needs more bandwidth than
that and here Laptop is requesting maximum bandwidth according to the network intensive
work they are doing.

With 802.11ac the full channel was allocated to each device. And the channel was
switching from one device to another after a time interval. But in Wi-Fi 6 as we have divided
the channels into Resource units the device is tuned to the small part of the channel. The width
of the sub-channel is only las large as it can pass the bandwidth required by the device. If its
requirement increased then the width also increases.

Thus, the data flows through that particular sub-channel only. This time the working of
Wi-Fi is quite similar to that of CDMA in Cellular networks.

BSS Coloring also takes place while all of this is happening and the color code is
assigned while initializing the Wi-Fi Access point. TWT works with the IOT devices
supporting Wi-Fi 6 as we’ve seen earlier.

The following diagrams shows comparison between old Wi-Fi standards with the new
802.11ax i.e. Wi-Fi 6.
 34

Fig. 6.1 Diagram showing difference between Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6

Fig. 6.2 Diagram showing speed of Wi-Fi 6 compared with those of

Wi-Fi 3, Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5
 35

7. BENEFITS OF WI-FI 6

• Greater data transfer speed-

Each generation of Wi-Fi has provided greater data transfer speed and Wi-Fi 6
is no exception. The theoretical speed of Wi-Fi 6 is 10Gbps. It achieves this speed
increase by combining the 2.4GHx and 5GHz spectrum bands and employing MU-
MIMO technology for both uplink and downlink data transfers.
More efficient data encoding leads to the higher throughput. More powerful
chips used to encode and decode signals allow more data to be carried by the same radio
waves. A single device can achieve up to 40% faster data transfer when using Wi-Fi 6
versus Wi-Fi 5. Even 2.4GHz networks will experience increased speeds when using a
Wi-Fi 6 router.
• Increased battery life-
Another important benefit afforded by the move to Wi-Fi 6 is the increased
battery life that devices accessing a Wi-Fi 6 network will enjoy. This improvement is
beneficial to the average user and can be a critical factor in enabling low-power devices
that comprise the Internet of Things (IoT) to make use of Wi-Fi communication.
Battery life is extended through a feature known as target wake time (TWT).
TWT enables the Wi-Fi access point to communicate with your device to tell it when
exactly to turn its Wi-Fi radio to wake up and go to sleep. This helps conserve power
as your device will spend more time in sleep mode than with previous Wi-Fi
implementations.
• Better performance in congested settings -
One of the ways that Wi-Fi performance can be negatively affected is when it
is used in crowded areas where there is competition for the signal. Wi-Fi 6 employs a
number of new technologies to increase the utility of Wi-Fi by minimizing the problems
of network congestion.
One way this is accomplished is with a technology known as Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). This allows a wireless channel to be
divided into a number of sub-channels that can each be used to carry data for a different
device. This allows a single access point to communicate with more devices
simultaneously.
 36

Improvements in Multiple In/Multiple Out (MIMO) capabilities now allow a

router with multiple antennas to both send and receive data transmissions from multiple
devices at the same time. Wi-Fi 5 could only send, but not receive multiple signals at
once. This will lead to better performance in situations where many users are attempting
to access the network.
Improvements in beamforming are also part of the Wi-Fi 6 standard.
Beamforming focuses a stronger signal in the direction of connected devices rather than
broadcasting at the same level in all directions. The router attempts to optimize the
signals that it sends to a specific device.
• Speed -
Speed is one of the first advantages of WiFi 6. Internet speeds with this latest
standard are expected to increase by 40% compared to its previous generation. This
data transmission rate is achieved through an efficient data encoding system, where
more chunks of data are packed into the same radio waves. The under-the-hood chips
that take care of encoding and decoding these signals have become more powerful with
the upcoming standard.
This data transmission rate increases the internet speeds of even 2.4 GHz
networks.

Fig. 7.1 Diagram showing theoretical speeds of Wi-Fi 6

 37

• More Devices -
One of the significant improvements in Wi-Fi 6 is the implementation of a
technology called Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access. In simple words,
this technology can classify one wireless channel into several sub-channels and each of
these sub-channels have the ability to carry data for different devices.
Improved MIMO is another aspect to this. This technology is the deployment
of more antennas on a device to foster better communication between connected
devices. With Wi-Fi 5, only the access points could communicate with connected
devices but not the other way around. But with Wi-Fi 6, connected devices can respond
to access points as well.
This makes this latest wireless standard to be implemented in public areas like
airports, stadiums, malls and other busy locations. Tying this back to the
implementation of IoT, where companies, retail stores and cities are moving towards
becoming smart, Wi-Fi 6 can power this transformation by communicating with more
devices at once.

Fig. 7.2 Diagram showing broad compatibility of Wi-Fi 6

 38

• 4K UHD Video Conferencing -

Globalization and mobility are not new terms in the market but 4K UHD video
conferencing currently, most of is the business meetings and video conferences start
and end with just one question – “Can you hear me?” Lags and glitches are some of the
meeting agendas today.
With Wi-Fi 6, that won’t be the case as it will provide the necessary connectivity
speeds and power to allow seamless video conferencing at 4K resolutions. This means
you could see a CEO sweating in a video conferencing board meeting.

Fig. 7.3 Diagram showing 4K Video calling over Wi-Fi 6

• Reduced Power Consumption -

Another way of saying reduced power consumption would be longer battery
life. Now, this is possible because of a new feature called Target Wake Time. With this
implementation, an access point can exactly dictate a connected device like a tablet,
laptop or a smartphone to put its wireless radio to sleep mode and when to turn it on
 39

again once the transmission is triggered. As the device awaits signals from the access
point, it rests in sleep mode, conserving the battery life of connected devices.
• Latency in Wi-Fi 6 –
This graph by Cisco shows the increase in the Latency of Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 as per
users accessing the internet over same Wi-Fi network increases. The CBP i.e. Cisco
Best Practice for Latency is also shown up there.

Fig. 7.4 Diagram showing latency graph of Wi-Fi 6

• More overall bandwidth per user.

• Support for more simultaneous streams of data with increased throughput

• More total spectrum (2.4GHz and 5GHz, eventually bands in 6GHz also)

• Spectrum split into more channels to enable more routes for communication.

• Packets contain more data and networks can handle different data streams at once.

• Improved performance (as much as 4x) at the maximum range of an access point.
 40

• Better performance/robustness in outdoor and multi-path (cluttered) environments.

• Ability to offload wireless traffic from cellular networks where reception is poor.

Fig. 7.5 Diagram showing additional advantages cum benefits of Wi-Fi 6

 41

8. DEPLOYMENT PROBLEMS OF WI-FI 6

8.1 In Wi-Fi 6 pre-standard?

• When Wi-Fi 6 launched it was pre-standard because there were very less devices
available.
• The one that was available was the Samsung Galaxy S10, also now only few devices
support Wi-Fi 6 and almost all of them are Flagships.
• This was the first time that the standard came out with corresponding devices but clients
were very few.

Fig. 8.1 Diagram showing adoption duration of Wi-Fi 6

8.2 What about client devices?

• All the features of Wi-Fi 6 are applied to only Wi-Fi 6 clients (Smartphones, Laptops,
IOT devices, etc that support Wi-Fi 6).
• Wi-Fi 5 or 802.11ac devices can work well with the Wi-Fi 6 but they will not be blessed
with the features that Wi-Fi 6 is offering.
 42

• To enjoy the new features and high-efficiency of Wi-Fi 6 we must have a Wi-Fi 6
Access point, Wi-Fi 6 connection and a Wi-Fi 6 client. But there are very less Wi-Fi 6
clients and IOT devices don’t want to add extra money in making IOT devices
supporting Wi-Fi 6 because as the technology is not adopted by many people there are
very less chances that they can be sold.

Fig. 8.2 Diagram showing variety of client devices accessing of Wi-Fi 6

8.3 Will old devices which not support Wi-Fi 6 slow down the network?

• Wi-Fi 6 is backword compatible and any old client can access internet using Wi-Fi 6
Access Point. But as I said earlier it cannot be blessed with those new and exciting
features
• And Yes, old devices will slow down the network as they will still use those old
standards and don’t have new Wi-Fi 6 hardware to work faster.
• If we connect a Wi-Fi 5 client and a Wi-Fi 6 client to the Wi-Fi 6 Access Point then
this will also slow down the network as Wi-Fi device force the Wi-Fi 6 Access Point to
allocate a full channel width for it.
 43

Fig. 8.3 Diagram showing speed comparison of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 5 network devices
combination

8.4 How many years will this transition from Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 take?

• It will take at least 2-3 years according to how the vendors are making their Wi-Fi 6
compatible devices available and what cost they are charging for those devices.
• Cisco and Samsung are leading in this transition providing their compatible products.

Fig. 8.4 Diagram showing approximate transition duration of Wi-Fi 6

 44

Any technical invention will be successful if people adopt it, people like it, people use it, and
people will do all these only if the product is worth buying and using. So, the question is
8.5 Should we upgrade to Wi-Fi 6?

• The answer is yes, if you have money, you can. Or you can also wait for what is
happening around and upgrade if it is necessary for you or you have devices that
supports 802.11ax.
• If your upgrade cycle is of 2-3 years then don’t upgrade and if it is 7-10 years you must
upgrade as you will be lacking behind after 4-5 years.
 45

9. CONCLUSION

• Thus, I conclude that Wi-Fi 6 is the most efficient version of Wi-Fi ever made.

• But still Wi-Fi 6 is not the best Wi-Fi that can be developed.

• OFDMA, BSS Colouring, TWT, MU-MIMO altogether made the Wi-Fi 6 very
efficient; But still it is not the end.

• Wi-Fi alliance is still trying to develop a better version of Wi-Fi.

• The transition from 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 5 to Wi-Fi 6 i.e. 802.11ax will still take some
years.

• And only after this whole transition we will get to know about the limitations of
802.11ax (if any) and will see the better version of Wi-Fi in the near future.
 46

10. REFERENCES

10.1 Textual References –

Sr. No. Link QR Code

1 Wi-Fi 6 Explained (by techspot.com)

2 5 things to know about Wi-Fi 6 and 5G (by Cisco)

3 Latest emerging Wi-Fi standard 802.11ax (by Cisco)

4 The Road to Wi-Fi 6 (by Cisco)

Wikipedia about IEEE 802.11ax

5

Table. 10.1 Table showing Textual references for Wi-Fi 6

 47

10.2 Video References –

Sr. No. Link QR Code

What is Wi-Fi 6? Fundamentals of 802.11ax (by David

1
Bombal)

2 Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 6E (by CNET)

3 Fundamentals of Wi-Fi 6 (by Cisco)

4 Why Wi-Fi 6 is biggest update ever? (by NetworkChuck)

How Wi-Fi really works? Is it like a Switch? (by

5
NetworkChuck)

Table. 10.2 Table showing Video references for Wi-Fi 6

48