Wi-Fi 802.11n explained in 8 questions

4- What are the compatible equipment sold today ?

Livebox Pro V4: Check the activation of the 802 mode.11 N/AC on the 5 GHz wifi network

802 WiFi mode.11 N/AC allows you to increase the connection speed of your equipment and reduce interference. To benefit from WiFi 802.11 N/AC, make sure that the 5 GHz WiFi network is differentiated from the WiFi network 2.4 GHz.

• Have equipment compatible with the WiFi 802 standard.11 N/AC. To find out the characteristics of your equipment, go to the website of Wi-Fi Alliance.
• Have activated WiFi on your Livebox.

Access the WiFi configuration menu

• Access the Livebox configuration interface.
• Click on the tab My wifi and livebox configuration.

Check the activation of WiFi 802.11 AC

When only one WiFi network emits on the two frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) at a time, only 802 mode.11 b/g/n is activated. WiFi 802.11 AC emits only on the frequency band (5 GHz). To activate WiFi 802.11 AC, you must therefore differentiate the 5 GHz WiFi network from the WiFi 2,4 GHz network. For that :

• Go to the section WiFi activation.
• Check that the choice Yes, in front of the field Differentiating 5 GHz wifi from 2.4 GHz, is selected.

Wi-Fi 802.11n explained in 8 questions

This new Wi-Fi standard has just been ratified as a standard by the IT industry. What should we expect ? How to take advantage of it ? What alternatives ?

Learn more

• Case :WiFi: the practical guide
• Guide :All FAI offers

1- What this new Wi-Fi standard provides ?

Wi-Fi 802.It has just been ratified by the IEEE certification organization. This standard allows Wi-Fi networks to reach theoretical flows of up to 300 Mbits/s, i.e. a data transfer speed 6 times faster than the Wi-Fi 802 standard.11g that most current Wi-Fi networks (50 Mbits/soretical Mbits) use.

On the other hand, this new standard does not change the quality of transmission of the signal and therefore the reception of Wi-Fi. When the customer PC receives a signal, the latter may issue and receive information faster. This increase in flows is allowed by 3 improvements: a multiple issue and reception of radios signals for several antennas, a grouping of radio channels, and data packets better organized before sending.

2- What can such flows be used ? For what uses ?

300 theoretical Mbits. The figure may seem enormous especially when it is linked to current internet connections which cap at only 100 Mbits maximum, and even only for the privileged few who benefit from optical fiber. However, its flows are only theoretical. In practice, we are rather between 50 and 100 Mbits/s depending on the intensity of the signal and the environment of the Wi-Fi network.

Then, the Wi-Fi network can be shared between several users of the same accommodation. From then on, we find ourselves rather with 10 Mbits offered per user. On the other hand in a local network, that is to say to exchange information within a home between two or the more debit, the more quickly the exchange. If you want to share photos, send videos from one job to another, play on a network. Local network flow is important. And 50 to 100 mbits/s are not too much.

3- What must be changed to take advantage of Wi-Fi 802.11n ?

Maybe nothing at all. If the certification of the final version has just been validated, it has been more than a year since the manufacturers of computer equipment have taken the lead and offer equipment compatible with the specifications of the 802.11n. To benefit from a Wi-Fi network of this type, you need a compatible router (or your internet box which then serves as a router), and a compatible Wi-Fi network card for each PC of your Wi-Fi installation.

Operation is the same as the previous Wi-Fi installations. You just have to make sure that the equipment has the 802 certification.11n for the cards and the router (or the box) and you will then operate in 802.11n. In doubt, check the flows obtained. If the reception is good, you should obtain at least 2 to 4 MB/s in transfer rate.

4- What are the compatible equipment sold today ?

Major network manufacturers (Belkin, D-Link, Netgear, Linksys) sell access points, routers, USB adapters and sometimes network cards compatible with 802 today.11n. A USB adapter has the advantage of being able to connect to a laptop which is impossible with a network card. Note however that if you have bought a laptop since 2008, it is probably equipped with the Centrino 2 platform of Intel. If this is the case, you can do without a USB adapter on your laptop, it already has a 802 Wi-Fi network chip.11n.

To share your Internet connection, your Internet operator must offer a Wi-Fi 802 Internet box.11n. This is the case with Free, but Orange, SFR, Numericable and Bouygues are limited to 802.11g.

5- The material prevails not (Draft) Is it compatible with the standardized and certified version ?

Yes Fortunately. The manufacturers have embarked on the production of pre -n equipment from versions close to the standard and therefore compatible. An update may be necessary to dialogue equipment in PRE N format with equipment with the finalized version of Wi-Fi 802.11n.

6- This version can operate with other older Wi-Fi equipment ?

Yes, retro-compatibility is ensured but the old equipment then operates at their maximum speed, 11mbits/s for 802.11a and 50 Mbits/s for 802.11g.

7- There are other developments planned for Wi-Fi networks soon ?

No, not in terms of flows. The manufacturers have already had a lot of trouble agreeing on the 802 specifications.11n. The standard had been presented in 2004, for an initially scheduled outing in 2007/2008. Wi-Fi 802.It is therefore a relatively sustainable technology.

8- What are the alternatives to Wi-Fi 802.11n ?

Online CPL or current carrier. No waves, and a rate relatively close to 802.11n (200 Mbits/s theoretical), the online carrier current brings information through the electrical network by plugging adapters. ISPs like Free and Numéricable now sell CPL adapters.

Wi-Fi: Everything you need to know about different standards and technologies

You are lost between all Wi-Fi 802 variations.11 (A/B/G/N/AC/AD/AX/AH. )) ? Mu-milo, direct Wi-Fi, Aware and Timesync don’t tell you much ? So let’s take the basics to understand what it is about. Because yes, all “Wi-Fi” are not equal, far from it itself !

Behind the name “Wi-Fi” hides a myriad of technologies and standards, each with its particularities. The best known are obviously 802.11b/g/n/ac, but there are many others. To add a little complexity, there are sometimes significant differences within the same standard.

Thus, between two Wi-Fi 802 routers.11n and 802.11ac There may be big differences in performance and features, so it is important to know what it is going on exactly before making your choice. In order to no longer be lost in the acronyman jungle, here is a glossary of the important terms to know.

Reminders on frequencies and flows

Before getting to the heart of the matter an important reminder: the rates mentioned are theoretical maximums. They will therefore always be inferior in practice, even in perfect conditions. Then note that the signal is disturbed by the presence of walls, a microwave oven (on the band of 2.4 GHz) and depends on the distance obviously. The flows can drop quickly and the connection is cut off, even on short distances.

In addition, in wi-fi manufacturers always talk about MB/S (or GB/S) and not MO/S (or Go/s): to convert them you have to divide them by 8. Thus, 300 Mb/s only give “37.5 MB/s, while 1 GB/S correspond to approximately 125 MB/s. Here again, always in theory and as much as possible of course (see our Google Wifi test to realize it).

As in mobile telephony, the lower a frequency, the further it carries. On the other hand, high frequencies generally have more bandwidth, thus making it possible to reach higher flows. In Wi-Fi, the most commonly used are 2.4 GHz (better range) and 5 GHz (best speed).

The youngest will certainly remember the 802.11a (up to 54 Mb/s) on the 5 GHz strip and 802.11b (up to 11 Mb/s) on that of 2.4 GHz, two standards that date from 1999. 802.11b was replaced in 2003 by the 802.11g. It is retrocompatible with the previous standard and capable of climbing up to 54 Mb/s.

After six years of waiting, the official replacement finally arrives. At least on paper.

802.11n: 2.4 GHz and sometimes 5 GHz, theoretical flows up to 600 Mb/s and.

802.It became a standard of the IEEE at the end of 2009. As a reminder, the manufacturers had not waited and many of them already offer 802 products.11n based on a first draft of the standard – Draft – then on a second. Wi-Alliance therefore had a big delay on standardization, a situation that did not improve later.

This standard is retrocompatible with 802.11g (and therefore 802.11b). This standard offers an improvement in flow thanks to frequency blocks of 40 MHz instead of 20 MHz, still in the frequency bands of 2.4 and 5 GHz for the “Dual Band” models. Be careful all the same, this can facilitate signal disruption.

There are indeed 802 products.11N operating only on the 2.4 GHz band, both on the side of routers and mobile terminals (smartphones, laptops, USB keys, etc.)). Today, this only concerns old products.

. Arrival of Mimo to multiply the flows

By default, a 802 Wi-Fi flow.It allows you to climb up to 150 Mb/s, but it is possible to reach a maximum theoretical flow of 600 Mb/s thanks to the Mimo (multiple entries, multiple outlets) in opposition to the Siso (S for single). This technique allows you to use up to four flows simultaneously, and improve the flow.

If only one antenna allows you to reach 150 Mb/s, a 2×2 Mimo configuration (two reception antennas, two in emissions) goes to 300 Mb/s, against 450 Mb/s with 3×3 Mimo (3 flows) and until at 600 Mb/s for 4×4 Mimo (the maximum according to the IEEE standard of Wi-Fi 802.11n), still on bands of 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Obviously, the transmitter and the receiver must have the same number of antennas to make the most of Mimo. You can make an analogy with one road with one or more tracks: if there are three entrances, but only one out of exit (or vice versa), it is not used for much.

Watch out for debit marketing

You also have to pay attention to the marketing arguments highlighted by the manufacturers: behind Wi-Fi 802.11n to 450 or 600 Mb/s (sometimes written N450 or N600), can hide several very different things. A product can thus offer 450 Mb/s in 3×3 Mimo on the band of 2.4 GHz only, or 300 Mb/s + 150 Mb/s (two flows in 2.4 GHz and one in 5 GHz) or even EN 150 MB/S + 300 Mb/s (a flow in 2.4 GHz and two in 5 GHz).

With 600 Mb/s, we multiply the possibilities even more, even if often the manufacturers offer 300 Mb/S + 300 Mb/s. We also find routers with 450 Mb/s on the band of 2.4 GHz and 450 Mb/s on that of 5 GHz (3×3 Mimo on each strip), which gives a magical total of 900 Mb/s, but impossible To be reached between a router and a mobile terminal (it can only connect one of the two bands at a time).

We will also regret that manufacturers do not always detail the composition of Wi-Fi in their devices (laptops, smartphones, etc.)).

Beamforming and Band Steering to optimize the connection as much as possible

In addition to the Mimo, another interesting technology has arrived with 802.11n: Beamforming or focus. To put it simply, it is a question of adapting the signal emitted by the router in order to target more precisely a device, thus increasing the flows on it.

We can draw a parallel with a torch lamp: the light can be diffuse and water a large area, or much more targeted and more powerful. Beamforming is also used for 5G (see this news).

For its part, the Band Steering is a technology that allows the router and the mobile terminal to exchange information and connect to the most suitable frequency strip. For example, in the event that the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz network bear the same SSID, the terminals will connect by default to the first, while the second generally offers more flow. This behavior is due to standard 802.He explains D-Link. Sometimes this feature takes the name of Smart Connect.

Several operating modes are possible: prefer the 5 GHz band, force the 5 GHz (which prevents connecting in 2.4 GHz) or making a balance of loads between the two. Depending on the size of the frequencies, a customer can therefore be connected in 2.4 GHz if the router estimates that he will have more flow.

Beamforming / Band Steering. Credits: TP-Link (left) and Swisscom (right)

802.11AC: Range of flow on 5 GHz, with a maximum of 1.3 Gb/s.

There are still many entry-level products in Wi-Fi 802.11n, but this standard is today widely exceeded by Wi-Fi 802.11AC (obviously retrocompatible with 802.11n and the previous ones). The latter indeed brings many new features.

First important point: Improvements for Wi-Fi 802.11ac only concern the 5 GHz band. They are for the moment decompose in two waves: the first – Wave 1 – was formalized in 2013, but products have already been available for at least one year in the trade.

It supports band widths up to 80 MHz (against 40 MHz for 802.11n), thus making it possible to double the flows. It allows you to aggregate up to three flows at the same time (3×3 Mimo). Last change and not least: 802.11ac uses QAM 256 (amplitude modulation in quadrature), against QAM 64 before. Dutch flows thus increase by 25 to 33 % on average.

In total, the maximum theoretical flow is 433 Mb/s on a single channel, and therefore 1.3 GB/s in 3×3 Mimo. The difference with the 802.It is important: with a single channel, the 802.11ac is almost as well as the 802.11n in 3×3 Mimo, which requires having a compatible router and terminal.

This time again, the manufacturers often take the opportunity to inflate the figures by adding the maximum speeds on the bands of 2.4 and 5 GHz. For example, a router is announced up to 1.75 Gb/s by the manufacturer, while it is actually 450 Mb/s on 2.4 GHz (3×3 Mimo) and 1.3 GB /s on 5 GHz (3×3 Mimo).

. up to 3.4 Gb/s with the Wave 2, which also brings Mu-Mimo

The Wave 2 formalized last year goes to frequency blocks of 160 MHz (still making it possible to double the theoretical bandwidth) and climbs up to four simultaneous flows (4×4 Mimo).

The theoretical maximum flow rate is therefore 3.4 Gb/s on 160 MHz wide blocks (compared to 1.7 GB/s on blocks of 80 MHz with the Wave 1). In total, standard 802.11ac as ratified by the IEEE allows you to climb even higher with up to 8 flows simultaneously, is a theoretical flow of. 6.9 Gb/s. Are we going to see a Wave 3 or a new standard will be deployed before ? Impossible to say for the moment.

802.11AC Wave 2 also adds another novelty: MU-MIMO (multiple users MIMO). To put it simply, this allows the router to communicate with several devices simultaneously in Mimo, rather than each turn. Obviously, MU-MIMO can operate with the focus (BeamForming).

In the jungle, terrible jungle of marketing arguments

Sometimes manufacturers announce flows higher than the standard authorizes. For example, a 2.167 Gb/s router on the 5 GHz band, with “only” from the 4×4 Mimo and the 40 MHz blocks. The theoretical maximum should be 1.7 Gb/s (4x 433 Mb/s) in this configuration. It is a sleight of hand with a QAM 1024 instead of 256 (sometimes under the name Turboqam, Nitroqam, etc.), making it possible to increase flows by approximately 25 %. But it goes beyond the standard that advocates QAM 256 only.

EN 802.11ac, some manufacturers sometimes speak of “triple band” for their products. It is actually a question of using a 2.4 GHz strip and two different bands on 5 GHz, generally with one of the two that offers better performance. So you can see up to three simultaneous networks.

When you are announced more than 5 Gb/s in 802.11ac, this does not mean that you can reach such a speed between a laptop and a router: this is the addition of the flow rates of 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Generally, manufacturers detail the flows that can be held on each frequency band in the technical characteristics of the products, which requires a little. But on the presentation page or on the packaging, it is generally the maximum accumulated speed which is largely put forward. The latter counting on the “Bigger is Better” reflex of the average consumer.

Example of a 5.3 Gb/s router

802.11ad (Wigig): new frequency, reduced range, still increased flows

The 802 standard.11ad was initially known as Wigig and pushed by Wigig Alliance. It is now part of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Be careful, contrary to what we name might suggest, it is not an evolution of 802.11ac, but of a ” complement »To use the devoted formulation.

802.11ad uses another frequency band in 60 GHz. Its scope is therefore very limited, but it makes it possible to obtain much more important flows of up to 7 GB/S. In particular, it can find usefulness in a wireless laptop home station.

Some machines already have Wi-Fi 802.11Ad and there are commercial compatible routers. In all cases, the certified products 802.11AD must be retrocompatible with 802.11ac and therefore with previous standards.

Wi-Fi 802.11AD reach 4.6 GB/s on a single frequency strip, unlike 802.11ac

Wi-Fi Halow (802.11Ah) for connected objects

802.11Ah, also known as Wi-Fi Halow is a recent standard since it was officially announced in January 2016. It is mainly designed for connected objects with a more important scope than conventional Wi-Fi, while consuming less energy. The flows are obviously quite low since it is a question of a few dozen MB/S.

This time, a much lower frequency strip is used: it is below Gigahertz. As in mobile telephony, it carries further and penetrates better into buildings. Please note, frequencies are not unified worldwide.

Finding blocks available under Gigahertz is not obvious, because they are frequencies in “gold”. For example, in Europe there are 863 to 868 MHz, against 902 to 928 MHz in the United States, 916.5 to 927.5 MHz in Japan, etc. As a reminder, another Wi-Fi standard allows you to connect connected objects to even longer distances: 802.11AF with frequencies between 54 and 790 MHz.

To summarize, here is an image bringing together the different technologies with their scope (the flows are inversely proportional). Wi-Fi 802.11AD on the 60 GHz is the one that carries the least far, followed by the 5 GHz band, 2.4 GHz, 900 MHz and finally 802.11AF:

802.11AX: not yet ratified, but already routers at 6 GB/S

If the 802.11ad is simply a ” complement », Standard 802.11AX will be a real evolution of 802.11ac. Like the latter, it will operate bands of 2.4 and 5 GHz with the possibility of aggregating up to 12 flows. However, it is not yet finalized by Wi-Fi Alliance, which does not prevent certain manufacturers from announcing products.

This is for example the case of Asus with its router RT-Ax88u. According to the manufacturer, it will reach almost 6 GB/s, which corresponds in practice to 1,148 Mb/s on 2.4 GHz and 4,804 Mb/s on 5 GHz.

Qualcomm also launched two chips, with a maximum announced flow of 4.8 GB/s.

802.11s and meshed Wi-Fi (mesh)

The 802 standard.11s allows you to use several terminals to extend the Wi-Fi coverage, in the form of a unique network called Mesh (mesh network). From your mobile terminal, you see only one network name, whatever the Wi-Fi terminal to which you are connected. Google Wifi uses it, but it is one of the few solutions to do so.

Other manufacturers also offer solutions highlighting “mesh” technology, but with homemade implementation, and they are not all worth.

Direct Wi-Fi and Miracast

Direct Wi-Fi allows terminals to connect directly with each other, which can also be done with Bluetooth in a certain way: two smartphones, a tablet and a printer, etc. This technology is used in particular by Miracast (launched in 2012), also developed by Wi-Fi Alliance.

As a reminder, the latter makes it possible to broadcast videos (and all types of multimedia documents) up to 4K UHD between two certified terminals, without having to connect them by a wire or connect them to the same local network using ‘A router for example. This technology was notably pushed by Intel with its widi.

Wi-Fi Timesync for synchronization below the microsecond

One of the worst enemies of multi-room solutions and wireless speakers is the time lag. If the music is late or ahead of half a second in the living room compared to the kitchen, it can quickly turn to cacophony. Ditto with wireless Wi-Fi speakers in a home cinema installation .

Wi-Fi Alliance therefore sought a solution to synchronize all these little people, with a latency lower than microsecond: Timesync. The first certified devices should arrive by the end of the year. Note that it is a priori not possible to go through an update to take advantage of this technology, which will integrate new products.

Wi-fi Rental: Geolocation within a meter

Using Wi-Fi to be geolocated is not new, but Wi-Fi Alliance wants to go even further with the wi-fi rental certification. She exploits the Fine timing Messure (FTM) making it possible to deduce the distance between a terminal and an access point according to the time put by the signal to make the round trip (in short, nothing new). With at least three terminals, it is then possible to make triangulation.

To operate, the smartphone is not necessary to be connected to the terminal, the FTM frames can be transmitted in the pre-association phase. To take advantage of increased geolocation of less than a meter, the terminals and access points must be certified Wi-Fi rental.

Wi-Fi Aware: discovery and local exchanges

For its part, Wi-Fi Aware allows you to discover and have devices nearby. By passing in front of a shop, you can for example receive a notification with promotions. In public transport, Wi-Fi Aware allows you to find people with whom you can play on a network for example.

Uses that are still thinking of Bluetooth with the beacons. The Alliance explains that this technology has been specially designed to save battery, despite the fact that Wi-Fi is constantly listening to what is happening around. Note that Android 8.0 (Oreo) will support this technology.

Wi-fi Vantage for dense environments

Vantage is an Optimization program for Wi-Fi Alliance. It provides users that devices will offer ” The best Wi-Fi experience in airports, stadiums, offices, campuses “, etc. In short, in places with a high density of people and therefore of potential users.

Several technologies are highlighted: 802.11AC Obviously, but also Wi-Fi Passpoint for a secure simplified connection, as well as Multiband and Optimized Connectivity for Use Intelligence of the Specter. In these last two, there are a lot of standards (including the band steering that we have already mentioned):

• 802.11ai: allows you to establish a secure connection in less than 100 ms
• 802.11K: allows several access points and customers to exchange information on the Wi-Fi environment
• 802.11V: uses network information to facilitate its overall improvement
• 802.11U: Allows customers to recover emergency services and information before connecting
• 802.11R: allows a rapid transition between the different access points of the same network (“R” for Roaming)

Since we are talking about professionals, let us also quote Wi-Fi Voice Programs. These are tools to ensure good quality of voice transmission using Wi-Fi.

Examples of operation of the 802.11R. Credits: Cisco

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