We discuss the following topics in this blog:
- Is WiFi6 Truly the Next-Gen WiFi?
- WiFi6 Will Accommodate the Growing Number of Devices
- Some key benefits with WiFi6
In addition to these topics, we shall also be answering the following FAQs:
- What is WiFi?
- What is an Optical Fibre Cable?
Contents
Is WiFi6 Truly the Next-Gen WiFi?
The new standard of Wi-Fi 802.11ax, also known as Next-gen Wi-Fi or WiFi6, has arrived, bringing around a new way, in network connectivity and improved customer experience with enhanced speeds, higher capacity, and supporting existing applications. The official birth of Wi-Fi took place in 2019 by providing reduced latency, more excellent reliability, and improved power efficiency, enabling support surging demand on the Internet of Things (IoT).
The Wi-Fi6 is the immediate response to the growing number of devices and is designed to support compatible devices to transmit signals more effectively and at faster wireless speeds with an improved roaming experience and broader coverage.
How WiFi6 Will Accommodate the Growing Number of Devices?
Consulting firm Deloitte Global predicts that more than 2 billion Wi-Fi devices will be sold during this year alone because WiFI6 will find itself in wireless cameras, smart home devices, game consoles, wearables, Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) headsets besides smartphones, tablets, and PCs. With WiFi6, there is the ease of deployment as enterprises with their already existing Wi-Fi networks can take advantage as it offers backward compatibility support avoiding the need to replace older Wi-Fi devices.
The latest WiFi 6 uses Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) – basically with OFDMA, the channel is divided into multiple sub-channels, so that information can be transferred to multiple devices simultaneously and offers an improved version of Multi-User Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) technology, and is better than its previous Wi-Fi standard was only able to communicate with four devices simultaneously. With the upgraded version of Wi-Fi, 6 can communicate with 8 devices simultaneously.
Key Benefits with Wi-Fi6:
- Greater bandwidth per user for ultra-HD and virtual reality streaming
- Increased throughput
- More spectrums can operate in frequency bands of 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 1GHz and 6GHz
- Spectrum can be split into more channels to enable more routes for communication.
- Enhanced performance in outdoor and multipath environments
- Ability to offload wireless traffic from cellular networks wherever the reception is poor
End Note
Wi-Fi 6 promises to be a big step forward in wireless network technology with faster speeds, better traffic prioritization and added security. Wi-Fi 6 will impact the way we interact with our wireless devices. Gaming, working, or streaming video – Wi-Fi 6 is the best answer.
Industry-leading digital network aggregator STL’s dWiFi, is at the forefront of providing Wi-Fi-based solutions. Keeping in view the market demands on how operators can benefit and monetize using Wi-Fi, STL has innovated a game-changing WiFi monetization solution to address the need. Operators can seize the opportunity and deploy Wi-Fi-based solutions with the help of STL’s experienced team. STL was also a proud platinum sponsor at the recent Wireless Global Congress, 2022 held in Dubai with the theme ”Wi-Fi revolution driving digital growth.
Check out more about STL’s award-winning next-gen Wi-Fi solution or register for a free demo now.
FAQs
What is WiFi?
Put simply, WiFi is a technology that uses radio waves to create a wireless network through which devices like mobile phones, computers, printers, etc., connect to the internet. A wireless router is needed to establish a WiFi hotspot that people in its vicinity may use to access internet services. You’re sure to have encountered such a WiFi hotspot in houses, offices, restaurants, etc.
To get a little more technical, WiFi works by enabling a Wireless Local Area Network or WLAN that allows devices connected to it to exchange signals with the internet via a router. The frequencies of these signals are either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bandwidths. These frequencies are much higher than those transmitted to or by radios, mobile phones, and televisions since WiFi signals need to carry significantly higher amounts of data. The networking standards are variants of 802.11, of which there are several (802.11a, 802.11b, 801.11g, etc.).
What is an Optical Fibre Cable?
An optical fibre cable is a cable type that has a few to hundreds of optical fibres bundled together within a protective plastic coating. They help carry digital data in the form of light pulses across large distances at faster speeds. For this, they need to be installed or deployed either underground or aerially. Standalone fibres cannot be buried or hanged so fibres are bunched together as cables for the transmission of data. This is done to protect the fibre from stress, moisture, temperature changes and other externalities.
There are three main components of a optical fibre cable, core (It carries the light and is made of pure silicon dioxide (SiO2) with dopants such as germania, phosphorous pentoxide, or alumina to raise the refractive index; Typical glass cores range from as small as 3.7um up to 200um), Cladding (Cladding surrounds the core and has a lower refractive index than the core, it is also made from the same material as the core; 1% refractive index difference is maintained between the core and cladding; Two commonly used diameters are 125µm and 140µm) and Coating (Protective layer that absorbs shocks, physical damage and moisture; The outside diameter of the coating is typically either 250µm or 500µm; Commonly used material for coatings are acrylate,Silicone, carbon, and polyimide).
An optical fibre cable is made up of the following components: Optical fibres – ranging from one to many. Buffer tubes (with different settings), for protection and cushioning of the fibre. Water protection in the tubes – wet or dry. A central strength member (CSM) is the backbone of all cables. Armoured tapes for stranding to bunch the buffer tubes and strength members together. Sheathing or final covering to provide further protection.
The five main reasons that make this technology innovation disruptive are fast communication speed, infinite bandwidth & capacity, low interference, high tensile strength and secure communication. The major usescases of optical fibre cables include intenet connectivity, computer networking, surgery & dentistry, automotive industry, telephony, lighting & decorations, mechanical inspections, cable television, military applications and space.
