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2

Next Generation Wi-Fi IEEE Vehicular Technology Society Meeting

Hemanth Sampath

August 27, 2013

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QC Research Center (QRC) has been spearheading WLAN

technology innovations for the past several years.

− Design, Standardization, Prototypes, Product development support.

− Human Resources - Systems, Hardware, Software, Test Engineering

− Complete development labs

QRC works closely with Qualcomm Atheros on WLAN product

development and commercialization of technologies.

QC Research Center & WLAN

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Outline

Introduction

- WLAN Trends

- QC Technology roadmap

1

802.11ac technology

- Features and value

proposition

2

Emerging Technologies Beyond 11ac

- 802.11ah for range extension &

the ‘Internet of Things’

- 802.11ai for Fast Initial Link Setup

- 802.11 High Efficiency WLAN

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5

Market Trends:

100% WLAN attach-rate for smart phones

Move towards BT-like attach rates for overall market

Rapid growth of tablet category

Carriers embracing WiFi for cellular offload

Wi-Fi Direct opening up new Use Cases (e.g. Display, Docking, etc.)

High-Mid Tier Markets transitioning to 802.11ac

Regulatory Trends:

Increased spectrum availability in 5GHz (600MHz + in US)

More bands becoming available for WiFi (e.g. 900MHz, 60GHz)

WLAN Market & Regulatory Trends

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QC Technology roadmap: A strong Wi-Fi evolution path

2.4 GHz/

5 GHz

60 GHz

Wireless docking, in-room

wireless display, audio,

and more

Higher capacity, higher data

rates for mobile, computing,

and CE devices

802.11ad

Multi-Gigabit Short Range

802.11 ah

Sensor, Control

Multi-year year battery life.

Home/building automation,

sensors and more

Sub GHz (bands varies globally)

802.11ac

Breaking the Gbps Barrier 802.11 g 802.11 n

2012 2013 2014 and beyond

1First to deliver a tri-band (dual-band 11n plus WiGig 60 GHz) solution in the form of a module for computers

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802.11ac Key Technology Features and Value Proposition

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11ac Value Proposition

Video-grade Performance Across Increasingly Crowded, Busy Networks

Increased rate-over-range

at close-and mid-range

with standardized mechanisms.

Extend battery life by lowering

joules-per-bit

Richer content faster with improved

bandwidth and spectral efficiency

Reduction of latency with

interference-free 5GHz

Driving “practical” Gigabit wireless performance

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Key Technical Elements of 802.11ac

- Improved secondary channel CCA

- RTS/CTS with BW Indication

- Provides 6.9Gbps with 160 MHz

- 24+ channels in US

- Significant reduction of interference

- Increases data rate per antenna

- Lowers power consumption

- Increases network capacity for limited-

antenna devices

- Enables concurrent operation

- More efficient use of spectrum

- Some increase in ROR for 1-antenna devices

served by multiple-antenna APs

Up to 8

streams

Mandatory

5GHz

Wider BW:

80 or 160 MHz

256 QAM

Multi-user

MIMO

Standardized Transmit

Beamforming

Dynamic Bandwidth

Management

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1995 2000 2005 2010 2015

Data Rate Per Stream

11b

11 Mbps

2.4GHz

11a

54 Mbps

5GHz

11g

54 Mbps

2.4GHz

11n

150 Mbps per SS

2.4/5GHz

Up to 4 streams

600 Mbps Max

11ac

433 Mbps per SS

5GHz

80 MHz

256 QAM

Up to 8 streams

3.45Gbps

(Max)

11ac

867 Mbps per SS

5GHz

160 MHz

256 QAM

Up to 8 streams

6.9Gbps

(Max)

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3x PHY rate improvement over 11n per stream

− Mandatory 20/40/80 MHz and optional 160 MHz BW

− 256 QAM boosts PHY rate by 33% over 11n

Increased data rate without increasing antennas

11ac 80 MHz 1x1 (433 Mbps) comparable to 11n 40MHz 3x3 (450 Mbps)

# Spatial Streams 802.11n (5GHz, 40MHz BW, SGI) 802.11 ac (5GHz, 80MHz BW, SGI)

1 150 Mbps 433 Mbps

2 300 Mbps 867 Mbps

3 450 Mbps

Gigabit Wireless 4 600 Mbps

~ 11n 3 antennas

11ac 1 antenna

Wider Bandwidth and 256-QAM

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Short-range: Much higher throughput/capacity for in-room & P2P

Mid-range: Higher capacity across most points in the home/office for networked media

Increased Rate over Range

11ac extends the range of the 11n top throughput by a factor of 2x

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00

3x3, 11ac 80MHz

3x3, 11n 40MHz

TC

P T

hro

ug

hp

ut

(Mb

ps

)

Range (m)

Aggressive-Loss Home Model

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Technical Benefits:

Increased spectral efficiency

Exceed 11n-level network capacity with

fewer client side antennas

Unification of TxBF approach

End User Benefits:

Run more traffic over the network

Higher throughputs at a given range

Reduced power consumption and

complexity for clients

Stream 4

Stream 3

Stream 2

Stream 1

Stream 2

Stream 1

11n Single User MIMO

11ac Multi-user MIMO

Multi-User MIMO: Simultaneous Support for More Clients

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Extremely low cost configuration

− 4 antenna AP, 4 single-antenna clients

Even with 40MHz BW, 4x1x4 MU-MIMO approaches 4x4 11n

− Above 3x3 11n performance

Performance Improvement with MU-MIMO

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

65 75 85 95 105 115 125

PH

Y D

ata

Ra

te (

Mb

ps

)

Signal Loss Allowed (dB)

4x4 11n

2x2 11n

4x1-40 MU-MIMO

4x1-80 MU-MIMO

Linear (4x4 11n)

Linear (2x2 11n)

Linear (4x1-40 MU-MIMO)

Linear (4x1-80 MU-MIMO)

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11ac results in lower joules-per-bit operation

Moves more data at up to 6x reduction in power consumption for Wi-Fi

Applications include video streaming, Wi-Fi Display synching, media shifting, and more

Improved Power Efficiency

Streaming Wi-Fi Display

TX and RX for 20MHz, 40MHz and 80MHz

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~4x lower energy consumed using 11ac-80MHz compared to 11n-20MHz

~2.3x lower energy consumed using 11ac-80MHz compared to 11n-40MHz

Improved Power Efficiency

Based on Wi-Fi+CPU Power Consumption Measurements

0.84 sec

270

Mbps

Time

Sp

ee

d (

Mb

ps

)

1.6 sec 0.30 sec

File Transfer Throughput

95 Mbps

50 Mbps

11ac 80MHz

11n 40MHz

11n 20MHz

Time

En

erg

y U

se

1X

Energy Use

2.3X

4X

11ac 80MHz

11n 40MHz

11n 20MHz

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802.11ah

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Taskgroup 802.11ah is chartered to define an OFDM PHY operating in

the license-exempt bands below 1 GHz, and enhancements to the

802.11 MAC to support this PHY

− Transmission range up to 1 km

− Data rates > 100 kbit/s

Taskgroup is projected to have a Draft 1.0 version of the standard

available in 2H-2013 and a Draft 2.0 version 1H-2014

− Standard completion projected for Year End 2015

Categories of Use Cases:

− Internet of Things (IoT)

− Extended Range Wi-Fi (e.g. for cellular offload)

IEEE802.11ah Overview

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802.11ac 5 GHz

802.11g 2.4 GHz

802.11n 2.4 & 5 GHz

802.11ah (sub 1 GHz)

Wi-Fi ecosystem

WFA certified interoperability and Wi-Fi user experience

Improved Range

10 dB link budget advantage over 2.4 GHz technologies

Low Power

Supports multi-year battery life sensor operation

Rich Data Rates

150Kbit/s ~ 78 Mbits/s per spatial stream (sensor, audio, security camera, internet)

Scalable

Support thousands of nodes

IP connectivity

Same as Wi-Fi

Outdoor Coverage

Support for larger delay and doppler spreads, support for relays

802.11ah Value Proposition – 3rd Band Wi-Fi

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Harmonized 11ah Spectrum in Key Geographies

902 928 MHz

917 923.5

929.7

779 787 863 868.6

8 MHz 5.6 MHz 26 MHz

6.5 MHz

China

(max erp <= 10 mW)

EU

US (max erp <=1 W)

Korea

Japan

(Max BW = 1MHz)

915.9 928 MHz

13.8 MHz

China

(max erp <= 5 mW)

24 MHz

755

Region Tx power regulations

US Max e.r.p. <= 1 W

EU max erp <=14 dBm

PSD <= -4.5 dBm/100KHz (863~868.6MHz)

PSD <= 6.2 dBm/100KHz (865~868MHz)

Korea 3 mW or 10 mW (920.6~923.5MHz and six 200 KHz

channels below 920.6 MHz)

China Max e.r.p. <= 5 mW (755 – 779 MHz)

Max e.r.p. <= 10 mW (779 – 787 MHz)

Japan 1mW , 20 mW or 250 mW (915.9~929.7MHz)

Max BW <= 1 MHz (Add duty cycle limit)

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Whole home coverage with Single AP & battery operated sensors with no power amplifier − Mandatory 1 and 2 MHz BW

− 150 Kbps minimum data rate

Low power MAC protocols − Small Frame formats

− Sensor traffic priority

− Efficient Beaconless mode for

sensor wakeup

− Scheduled transmissions

Scalable to 1000s of nodes − Efficient paging

− Scheduled transmissions

11ah Technical Enhancements for IoT

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Rich Data Sets Enable Both IOT and Extended Range WiFi Applications

16 MHz

8 MHz

4 MHz

2 MHz

1 MHz

20 MHz

Minimum 11n/ac bandwidth

11ah Bandwidth Modes

Higher Data Rates

150Kbps* – 4Mbps

650Kbps – 7.8Mbps

1.35Mbps – 18Mbps

2.9Mbps – 39Mbps

5.8Mbps – 78Mbps

Mandatory &

Globally

Interoperable

modes optimized

for sensor

networking

Optional higher

data rate modes

for extended range

WiFi

6.5Mbps – 78Mbps

* Single spatial stream rates shown. 150Kbps achieved via a new repetition modulation and coding scheme (MCS10)

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Fast Initial Link Setup (802.11ai)

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Taskgroup 802.11ai is chartered

to define techniques for:

− a secure initial link set-up in less

than 100ms

− associating least 100 STAs entering

an ESS within 1 second

Taskgroup is projected to

complete

− Draft 1.0 version in 2H-2013

− Draft 2.0 version in ~2014

− Final spec in 2015

802.11ai Overview

- Shorter initial link setup time

- Improved AP-to-AP handoff in dense networks

- Reduced probe storms

11ai enhances Network Connection Experience

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Shorter Link Set up time

− Authentication, 4-way handshake, Association & IP address assignment

completed in 2 roundtrip signaling messages

− Shorter & faster beacons (FILS discovery frame)

Improved AP-to-AP handoff in dense networks

− Neighbor AP advertisement and Subnet identifier tokens in Beacons & Probe-

Responses

Reduced Probe Storms

− Broadcast Probe Response

− Selective Probe response based on probe-request content

− Shorter Probe Response containing only the changed parameters since last

association

802.11ai Key Technical Elements

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High Efficiency WLAN (HEW)

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IEEE Study Group created in March 2013 to improve performance in

dense multi-BSS networks

− 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bands

− Indoor and outdoor scenarios

− Significant interference

− Address requirements on ‘Carrier Wi-Fi’

IEEE Task Group launch likely in 2014.

− Technology components under

development, but will likely include:

o Improving average and tail throughputs

o Improving MAC efficiency and reducing collisions/contentions

o Improving outdoor coverage and robustness

802.11 High Efficiency WLAN (HEW)

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HEW and Carrier Wi-Fi

The meaning of ‘Carrier Wi-Fi’ differs by industry body:

Venue Meaning of ‘Carrier Wi-Fi’

3GPP Interworking between Cellular and Wi-Fi

IEEE802.11

HEW

MAC and PHY enhancements to improve performance in dense

deployments, and outdoor usage

WFA Hotspot 2.0 / Passpoint and future enhancements

WBA (Wireless

Broadband

Alliance)

Improving end-user experience of Hotspot operator Wi-Fi similar to

a cellular operator experience (e.g. end-to end network

management)

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All data and information contained in or disclosed by this document is confidential and proprietary information of Qualcomm A theros, Inc. and all rights therein are expressly reserved.

By accepting this material the recipient agrees that this material and the information contained therein is to be held in con fidence and in trust and will not be used, copied, reproduced in whole or in part,

nor its contents revealed in any manner to others without the express written permission of Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.

© 2013 Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. Qualcomm is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Atheros is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. All other registered and unregistered

trademarks are the property of QUALCOMM Incorporated, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc., or their respective owners and used with permis sion. Registered marks owned by QUALCOMM Incorporated and

Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. are registered in the United States and may be registered in other countries.

Qualcomm VIVE, Qualcomm StreamBoost, Qualcomm Hy-Fi, Qualcomm IZat, Qualcomm Ethos, Qualcomm Skifta, are products of Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.

Qualcomm Atheros, Inc., 1700 Technology Drive, San Jose, CA 95110

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Backup

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Significant Worldwide Spectrum available in the 5GHz Band for 802.11 a/n/ac

5170

MHz

5330

MHz

5490

MHz

5730

MHz

5735

MHz

5835

MHz

144

140

136

132

128

124

120

116

112

108

104

100

165

161

157

153

149

64

60

56

52

48

44

40

36

IEEE channel #

20 MHz

40 MHz

80 MHz

160 MHz

20 MHz

40 MHz

80 MHz

160 MHz

20 MHz

40 MHz

80 MHz

160 MHz

20 MHz

40 MHz

80 MHz

160 MHz

US

Europe

&

Japan

India

China

96

92

88

84

80

76

72

68

181

177

173

169

New band

(pending)

DSRC

(pending)

5915

MHz

UNII-1 UNII-Worldwide (DFS)

740 MHz potential spectrum

UNII-3

New channels in red are expected to become available pending FCC approval.

UNII-2

(DFS)