Based on IEEE 802.11bn standard, starting 2028, Wi-Fi 8 effective throughput will set the new standard for connectivity by prioritizing consistent, reliable network over just speed and bring better performance and reliability.
Wi-Fi connections previously focused on speeds, but Wi-Fi 8 does the opposite by prioritizing user experience. With the number of devices and latency-critical use cases growing, Wi-Fi 8 offers improvements like Wi-Fi 8 multi-gigabit performance, latency management, and smarter channel bonding.
These improvements allow for reliable connections without sacrificing Wi-Fi 8 backward compatibility for legacy devices, making Wi-Fi 8 optimal for active environments where reliable connectivity is needed.
Upgrades for Wi-Fi 8 Connectivity
Wi-Fi 7, which started authorization in January 2024, already has intense theoretical throughput of around 46 Gbps, using 16 spatial streams, wide 320 MHz channels in the 6 GHz band, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO). But Wi-Fi 8 effective throughput is aimed at user relevant problems.
- The Wi-Fi 8 key upgrades are the following: Wi-Fi 8 Speeds at Distance and Longer Range: Enhanced Long Range (ELR) ensures stronger signals over greater distances. Distributed Resource Unit (DRU) technology spreads resources over wider bandwidths to boost signal power and reach.
- Smarter Network Coordination: Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR) and Coordinated Beamforming (Co-BF) help multiple access points and mesh nodes work together, reducing interference and sharing the airwaves efficiently.
- Improved Reliability: Enhanced Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding fixes errors better in noisy or distant conditions. More Modulation Coding Scheme (MCS) choices allow devices to adjust their connection speed more precisely based on real-time signal quality.
- Better Use of the Spectrum: Dynamic Sub-Channel Operation (DSO) lets APs assign smaller parts of the channel dynamically to clients depending on conditions. Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) allows data to flow on less crowded side channels, avoiding bottlenecks.
- Stronger Security: Wi-Fi 8 channel bonding adds encryption to authentication and management messages to protect against sticking and tricking attacks that could disrupt connections.
“Unlike our competitors, MediaTek’s Wi-Fi 8 platform solutions are built on top of and further extends our Wi-Fi 7 Filogic architecture, such as our single-chip MLO, “remarked Chen,” Vice President of Product Technology and Marketing at MediaTek.
Wi-Fi 8 latency isn’t just about going faster, but rather smarter and more reliable connectivity for everyday users. Whether it’s extended reality, cloud gaming, industrial automation, or video calls, what matters now is smooth, predictable performance.
Wi-Fi 8 effective throughput has the potential to exceed previous generations in real conditions, promising to meet connectivity and network needs and challenges for wireless technology evolution.
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