Early stage performance analysis of the IEEE 802.11be standard

MANDIĆ, DEJAN (author), Zimic, Nikolaj (mentor)

The IEEE 802.11be standard, anticipated to be fully ratified as Wi-Fi 7, is poised to revolutionize wireless networking by providing significantly higher throughput, reduced latency, and greater reliability. In this thesis, we conduct an early-stage performance analysis of the 802.11be standard to evaluate its enhancements over previous iterations and to predict its impact on future wireless network infras- tructures. Through theoretical analysis and preliminary benchmarks, this study examines key features of 802.11be such as 320 MHz channel bandwidth, utilization of higher order Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Multi-Link Operation (MLO), and improved channel access mechanisms. The research aims to assess how these advancements contribute to achieving a throughput of up to 30 Gbps and support for high-density scenarios in both residential and enterprise envi- ronments. Additionally, the thesis explores the standard’s capability to handle emerging applications that require robust and low-latency communication. The findings suggest that while 802.11be significantly enhances Wi-Fi capabilities, its real-world performance will heavily depend on the coexistence strategies and spec- trum availability. This analysis aims to provide foundational insights and guidance for future research and implementation strategies as the technology progresses to- wards commercial deployment.

• Language: English
• Keywords: WiFi 7, 802.11be, extremely high throughput, 4096 QAM, 320 MHz, MU-MIMO, time-sensitive networking, multi-link operation, implicit sound- ing, distributed MU-MIMO, channel puncturing.
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Organization: FRI - Faculty of Computer and Information Science
• Year: 2024
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-164827
• Publication date in RUL: 13.11.2024

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Analiza zmogljivosti v zgodnji fazi standarda 802.11be

Abstract

IEEE 802.11be standard, ki se priˇcakuje, da bo v celoti ratificiran kot Wi-Fi 7, obeta revolucijo v brezˇziˇcnih omreˇzjih z zagotavljanjem bistveno viˇsje propust- nosti, zmanjˇsane zakasnitve in veˇcje zanesljivosti. V tej dodiplomski nalogi bomo izvajali analizo zgodnje fazo zmogljivosti standarda 802.11be za oceno njegovih izboljˇsav v primerjavi s prejˇsnjimi razliˇcicami in za napoved njegovega vpliva na prihodnjo infrastrukturo brezˇziˇcnih omreˇzij. S teoretiˇcno analizo in preliminarn- imi simulacijami ˇstudija preuˇcuje kljuˇcne znaˇcilnosti 802.11be, kot so 320 MHz pasovna ˇsirina kanala, uporaba viˇsjega reda kvadraturne amplitude modulacije, veˇcpovezavno delovanje, in izboljˇsani mehanizmi dostopa do kanalov. Ta diplom- ska naloga si prizadeva oceniti, kako te napredne tehnologije prispevajo k doseganju prepustnosti do 30 Gbps in podpori za scenarije z visoko gostoto v stanovanjskih in podjetniˇskih okoljih. Poleg tega, raziskuje sposobnost standarda za obravnavo novih aplikacij, ki zahtevajo robustno in nizko zakasnitveno komunikacijo. Ugo- tovitve kaˇzejo, da medtem ko 802.11be bistveno izboljˇsa zmogljivosti Wi-Fi, bo njegova dejanska zmogljivost v realnem svetu moˇcno odvisna od strategij sobivanja in razpoloˇzljivosti spektra. Analiza si prizadeva zagotoviti temeljne vpoglede in usmeritve za prihodnje raziskave in strategije izvajanja, ko tehnologija napreduje proti komercialni uvedbi.

• Keywords: WiFi 7, 802.11be, extremely high throughput, 4096 QAM, 320 MHz, MU-MIMO, time-sensitive networking, multi-link operation, implicit sound- ing, distributed MU-MIMO, channel puncturing.