Wi-Fi 7

The following are core features that have been approved as of Draft 3.0:

• 4096-QAM (4K-QAM) enables each symbol to carry 12 bits rather than 10 bits, resulting in 20% higher theoretical transmission rates than WiFi 6's 1024-QAM. This feature is optional for Wi-Fi 7 certification.
• Contiguous and non-contiguous 320/160+160 MHz and 240/160+80 MHz bandwidth. This feature is optional for Wi-Fi 7 certification.{{efn|name=fn320|see 3.2. - 320 MHz Channel Width}}
• Multi-link Operation (MLO), a feature that increases capacity by simultaneously sending and receiving data across different frequency bands and channels. (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz). This feature is mandatory for Wi-Fi 7 certification.
• 16 spatial streams and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) protocol enhancements.
• Flexible Channel Utilization – Interference currently can negate an entire Wi-Fi channel. With preamble puncturing, a portion of the channel that is affected by interference can be blocked off while continuing to use the rest of the channel. This feature is mandatory for Wi-Fi 7 certification.{{efn|see 3.4. - Preamble Puncturing}}
• Multiple Resource Unit (MRU) – Improves OFDMA technology from Wi-Fi 6, allowing a single user to have multiple Resource Units. This feature is mandatory for Wi-Fi 7 certification.{{cite web |title=Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) Technical Guide |website=Cisco Meraki - Documentation |date=3 December 2024 |url=https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/Wi-Fi_Basics_and_Best_Practices/Wi-Fi_7_(802.11be)_Technical_Guide |access-date=3 March 2025 }}

The main candidate features mentioned in the 802.11be Project Authorization Request (PAR) are:{{Cite web|url=https://mentor.ieee.org/802.11/dcn/18/11-18-1231-06-0eht-eht-draft-proposed-par.docx|title=802.11be Project Authorization Request (PAR)|access-date=12 March 2024 }}

• Multi-Access Point (AP) Coordination (e.g. coordinated and joint transmission),
• Enhanced link adaptation and retransmission protocol (e.g. Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ)).
• If needed, adaptation to regulatory rules specific to 6 GHz spectrum.{{Update needed|date=February 2025}}{{efn|name=fn320}}
• Integrating Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) IEEE 802.1Q extensions for low-latency real-time traffic:{{cite web |url=https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/106/materials/slides-106-raw-04-ieee-status-00 |title=IEEE 802.11 features towards RAW |date=November 2003 |author1=Dave Cavalcanti|author2=Jerome Henry|author3=Ganesh Venkatesan |website=IETF}}[https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/108/materials/slides-108-raw-wi-fi-tsn-low-latency-00.pdf Wi-Fi TSN Capabilities] datatracker.ietf.org[https://www.ieee802.org/1/files/public/docs2020/new-Cavalcanti-802-1TSN-over-802-11-1120-v02.pdf 802.1 TSN over 802.11 with updates from developments in 802.11be] ieee802.org
• IEEE 802.1AS timing and synchronization
• IEEE 802.11aa MAC Enhancements for Robust Audio Video Streaming (Stream Reservation Protocol over IEEE 802.11)
• IEEE 802.11ak Enhancements for Transit Links Within Bridged Networks (802.11 links in 802.1Q networks)
• Bounded latency: credit-based (IEEE 802.1Qav) and cyclic/time-aware traffic shaping (IEEE 802.1Qch/Qbv), asynchronous traffic scheduling (IEEE 802.1Qcr-2020)
• IEEE 802.11ax Scheduled Operation extensions for reduced jitter/latency

Apart from the features mentioned in the PAR, there are newly introduced features:{{Cite journal|title=Current Status and Directions of IEEE 802.11be, the Future Wi-Fi 7|author=E. Khorov |author2=I. Levitsky |author3=I. F. Akyildiz |publisher=IEEE|issue=in press|doi=10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2993448|volume=8|pages=88664–88688|doi-access=free|journal=IEEE Access|year=2020|bibcode=2020IEEEA...888664K }}

• Frame formats with improved forward-compatibility.
• Enhanced resource allocation in OFDMA.
• Implicit channel sounding, optimized to require less airtime.
• Support for direct links, managed by an access point.{{Clarify|reason=How is this superior to wifi-direct?|date=February 2025}}

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The 802.11be Task Group is led by individuals affiliated with Qualcomm, Intel, and Broadcom. Those affiliated with Huawei, Maxlinear, NXP, and Apple also have senior positions.

The Wi-Fi Alliance maintains a list of Wi-Fi 7 certified devices.{{cite web |title=Product Finder Results {{!}} Wi-Fi Alliance |url=https://www.wi-fi.org/product-finder-results?sort_by=certified&sort_order=desc#advanced_filters |website=www.wi-fi.org}}

Android 13 and higher provide support for Wi-Fi 7.{{cite web | url=https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/android-13 | title=Android 13 review | date=20 October 2022 }}

The Linux 6.2 kernel provides support for Wi-Fi 7 devices. The 6.4 kernel added Wi-Fi 7 mesh support.{{cite web | url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-6.4-Networking | title=Linux 6.4 Has Many Networking Changes from a New Performance Tunable to More WiFi 7}} Linux 6.5 included significant driver support by Intel engineers, particularly support for MLO.{{cite web | url=https://www.phoronix.com/news/WiFi-7-Linux-6.5 | title=Linux 6.5 Continues Making Preparations for WiFi 7, Enabling New Hardware }}

Support for Wi-Fi 7 was added to Windows 11, as of build 26063.1.{{Cite web |last=Blog |first=Windows Insider |title=Announcing Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26063 (Canary Channel) |url=https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/02/22/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26063-canary-channel/ |access-date=2024-02-23 |website=Windows Insider Blog |date=22 February 2024 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Carrasqueira |first=João |date=2024-02-22 |title=Windows 11 preview adds support for Wi-Fi 7 |url=https://www.xda-developers.com/windows-11-build-26063/ |access-date=2024-02-24 |website=XDA Developers |language=en}}

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Category:Networking standards

Category:Wireless communication systems