The Latest Wi-Fi Standard — Wi-Fi 7 Specifications and Certification

On January 8, 2024, the Wi-Fi Alliance officially introduced Wi-Fi 7 — also known as IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT). The latest iteration of Wi-Fi supports 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency bands and Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which enables Wi-Fi 7 to provide higher data rates. The Wi-Fi 7 standard offers the main advantages for users as below:

From a theoretical standpoint, Wi-Fi 7 is almost four times faster than Wi-Fi 6
Increase efficiency and handle interference better, even under complex environments
Reduce latency during transmission
Provide higher stability and reliability
Support low-power consumption and energy-saving for devices

Wi-Fi 7 introduces a variety of new technologies to achieve the aforementioned advantages:

Multi-Link Operation (MLO), facilitating simultaneous data transmission and reception over multiple links
Wi-Fi 7 extends the channel width up to 320 MHz, providing higher throughput with a wider channel.
4K quadrature amplitude modulation (4K QAM), achieving 20% higher transmission rates than 1024 QAM in Wi-Fi 6.
512 Compressed Block Ack: The technology advancement improves efficiency and reduces overhead
Leverage Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) in OFDMA mode to reduce latency and wireless congestion

In addition to the continuous use of OFDMA, major Wi-Fi 7 enhancements include multiple antenna design and MU-MIMO, allowing for simultaneous high-speed transmissions to more users. Moreover, Wi-Fi 7 offers enhanced network security (the WPA3 protocol), and QoS Management provides smoother channel access management. These advancements make the future wireless network more flexible, efficient, and promising.

To obtain Wi-Fi 7 certification, in addition to Wi-Fi 7 testing, it is necessary to undergo testing for backward compatibility and security. Below are the main programs that must be completed:

Connectivity

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7™
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6™
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ n
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ ac

Security

Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA3™
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA2™
Wi-Fi Enhanced Open™ (6E device if 2.4GHz/5GHz support OPEN security)
Protected Management Frames
Security Vulnerability Detection

Key Reinstallation Vulnerability Detection
Fragment and Forge Vulnerability Detection

Optimization

Wi-Fi Agile Multiband™
WMM® (Wi-Fi Multimedia™)

As Wi-Fi 7 incorporates some of the most advanced technologies and has extensive product applicability, the Wi-Fi 7 certification is expected to pose increased difficulty and challenges. Allion’s testing laboratories in Taipei and Shenzhen have been authorized by the Wi-Fi Alliance to deliver Wi-Fi 7 certification services. For any inquiries about Wi-Fi 7, please contact Allion.

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