Editing IEEE 802.11 (section)

==Protocol==
{{802.11 network standards|state=uncollapsed}}

===802.11-1997 (802.11 legacy)===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11 (legacy mode)}}

The original version of the standard IEEE 802.11 was released in 1997 and clarified in 1999, but is now obsolete. It specified two [[net bit rate]]s of 1 or 2 [[megabits per second]] (Mbit/s), plus [[forward error correction]] code. It specified three alternative [[physical layer]] technologies: diffuse [[infrared]] operating at 1&nbsp;Mbit/s; [[frequency-hopping]] spread spectrum operating at 1&nbsp;Mbit/s or 2&nbsp;Mbit/s; and [[direct-sequence]] spread spectrum operating at 1&nbsp;Mbit/s or 2&nbsp;Mbit/s. The latter two radio technologies used [[microwave]] transmission over the [[ISM radio band|Industrial Scientific Medical frequency band]] at 2.4&nbsp;GHz. Some earlier WLAN technologies used lower frequencies, such as the U.S. 900&nbsp;MHz ISM band.

Legacy 802.11 with direct-sequence spread spectrum was rapidly supplanted and popularized by 802.11b.

===802.11a (OFDM waveform)===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11a-1999}}

802.11a, published in 1999, uses the same data link layer protocol and frame format as the original standard, but an [[OFDM]] based air interface (physical layer) was added.

It operates in the 5&nbsp;GHz band with a maximum net data rate of 54&nbsp;Mbit/s, plus error correction code, which yields realistic net achievable throughput in the mid-20&nbsp;Mbit/s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oreillynet.com/wireless/2003/08/08/wireless_throughput.html |title=Wireless throughput |access-date=2011-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103014005/http://www.oreillynet.com/wireless/2003/08/08/wireless_throughput.html |archive-date=2011-11-03 }}</ref> It has seen widespread worldwide implementation, particularly within the corporate workspace.

Since the 2.4&nbsp;GHz band is heavily used to the point of being crowded, using the relatively unused 5&nbsp;GHz band gives 802.11a a significant advantage. However, this high [[Center frequency|carrier frequency]] also brings a disadvantage: the effective overall range of 802.11a is less than that of 802.11b/g. In theory, 802.11a signals are absorbed more readily by walls and other solid objects in their path due to their smaller wavelength, and, as a result, cannot penetrate as far as those of 802.11b. In practice, 802.11b typically has a higher range at low speeds (802.11b will reduce speed to 5.5&nbsp;Mbit/s or even 1&nbsp;Mbit/s at low signal strengths). 802.11a also suffers from interference,<ref name="ACIisharmfull">{{Cite journal| last1 = Angelakis  | first1 = V.| last2 = Papadakis | first2 = S.| last3 = Siris | first3 = V.A.| last4 = Traganitis | first4 = A.| title = Adjacent channel interference in 802.11a is harmful: Testbed validation of a simple quantification model| journal = Communications Magazine| volume = 49| issue = 3| pages = 160–166| publisher = IEEE| date = March 2011| issn = 0163-6804| doi = 10.1109/MCOM.2011.5723815| s2cid = 1128416}}</ref> but locally there may be fewer signals to interfere with, resulting in less interference and better throughput.

===802.11b===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11b-1999}}

The 802.11b standard has a maximum raw data rate of 11&nbsp;Mbit/s (Megabits per second) and uses the same media access method defined in the original standard. 802.11b products appeared on the market in early 2000, since 802.11b is a direct extension of the modulation technique defined in the original standard. The dramatic increase in throughput of 802.11b (compared to the original standard) along with simultaneous substantial price reductions led to the rapid acceptance of 802.11b as the definitive wireless LAN technology.

Devices using 802.11b experience interference from other products operating in the 2.4&nbsp;GHz band. Devices operating in the 2.4&nbsp;GHz range include microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, cordless telephones, and some amateur radio equipment. As unlicensed intentional radiators in this [[ISM band]], they must not interfere with and must tolerate interference from primary or secondary allocations (users) of this band, such as amateur radio.

===802.11g===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11g-2003}}

In June 2003, a third modulation standard was ratified: 802.11g. This works in the 2.4&nbsp;GHz band (like 802.11b), but uses the same [[OFDM]] based transmission scheme as 802.11a. It operates at a maximum physical layer bit rate of 54&nbsp;Mbit/s exclusive of forward error correction codes, or about 22&nbsp;Mbit/s average throughput.<ref name="wndw-pdf">{{cite book|title=Wireless Networking in the Developing World: A practical guide to planning and building low-cost telecommunications infrastructure|publisher=Hacker Friendly LLC|edition=2nd|page=425|year=2007|url=http://wndw.net/pdf/wndw2-en/wndw2-ebook.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006075431/http://www.wndw.net/pdf/wndw2-en/wndw2-ebook.pdf|archive-date=6 October 2008|access-date=13 March 2009}} page 14</ref> 802.11g hardware is fully backward compatible with 802.11b hardware, and therefore is encumbered with legacy issues that reduce throughput by ~21% when compared to 802.11a.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

The then-proposed 802.11g standard was rapidly adopted in the market starting in January 2003, well before ratification, due to the desire for higher data rates as well as reductions in manufacturing costs. {{Citation needed|date=April 2021}} By summer 2003, most dual-band 802.11a/b products became dual-band/tri-mode, supporting a and b/g in a single mobile [[adapter card]] or access point. Details of making b and g work well together occupied much of the lingering technical process; in an 802.11g network, however, the activity of an 802.11b participant will reduce the data rate of the overall 802.11g network.

Like 802.11b, 802.11g devices also suffer interference from other products operating in the 2.4&nbsp;GHz band, for example, wireless keyboards.

===802.11-2007===
In 2003, task group TGma was authorized to "roll up" many of the amendments to the 1999 version of the 802.11 standard. REVma or 802.11ma, as it was called, created a single document that merged 8 amendments ([[802.11a]], [[IEEE 802.11b|b]], [[IEEE 802.11d|d]], [[IEEE 802.11e|e]], [[IEEE 802.11g|g]], [[IEEE 802.11h|h]], [[IEEE 802.11i|i]], [[IEEE 802.11j|j]]) with the base standard. Upon approval on 8 March 2007, 802.11REVma was renamed to the then-current base standard '''IEEE 802.11-2007'''.<ref name=802.11-2007>IEEE 802.11-2007</ref>

===802.11n===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11n-2009}}

802.11n is an amendment that improves upon the previous 802.11 standards; its first draft of certification was published in 2006. The 802.11n standard was retroactively labelled as '''Wi-Fi 4''' by the Wi-Fi Alliance.<ref name="Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces Wi-Fi 6">{{cite web|url=https://www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-alliance-introduces-wi-fi-6|title=Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces Wi-Fi 6}}</ref><ref name="Shankland">{{Cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/wi-fi-alliance-simplifying-802-11-wireless-network-tech-names/ |title=Here come Wi-Fi 4, 5 and 6 in plan to simplify 802.11 networking names - The Wi-Fi Alliance wants to make wireless networks easier to understand and recognize |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |date=2018-10-03 |website=[[CNET]] |access-date=2020-02-13}}</ref> The standard added support for [[multiple-input multiple-output]] antennas (MIMO). 802.11n operates on both the 2.4&nbsp;GHz and the 5&nbsp;GHz bands. Support for 5&nbsp;GHz bands is optional. Its net data rate ranges from 54&nbsp;Mbit/s to 600&nbsp;Mbit/s. The IEEE has approved the amendment, and it was published in October 2009.<ref name=80211nPR>{{cite web |url=http://standards.ieee.org/announcements/ieee802.11n_2009amendment_ratified.html |title=IEEE-SA - News & Events |website=[[IEEE Standards Association]] |access-date=2012-05-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726095111/http://standards.ieee.org/announcements/ieee802.11n_2009amendment_ratified.html |archive-date=2010-07-26 }}</ref><ref name=802.11-2009>{{cite book |publisher=[[IEEE-SA]] |date=29 October 2009 |doi=10.1109/IEEESTD.2009.5307322 |isbn=978-0-7381-6046-7 |title=IEEE Standard for Information technology-- Local and metropolitan area networks-- Specific requirements-- Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC)and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Amendment 5: Enhancements for Higher Throughput }}</ref> 

Prior to the final ratification, enterprises were already migrating to 802.11n networks based on the Wi-Fi Alliance's certification of products conforming to a 2007 draft of the 802.11n proposal. Early Intel WiFi cards were not compatible with the final standard. Many rival access points and cards also did not support 5&nbsp;GHz at all.{{cn|date=December 2024|reason=Both Intel and 5 GHz limitations need support}}

===802.11-2012===
In May 2007, task group TGmb was authorized to "roll up" many of the amendments to the 2007 version of the 802.11 standard.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://grouper.ieee.org/groups/802/11/Reports/tgm_update.htm|title=IEEE P802 - Task Group M Status|access-date=24 August 2020}}</ref> REVmb or 802.11mb, as it was called, created a single document that merged ten amendments ([[802.11k]], [[IEEE 802.11r|r]], [[IEEE 802.11y|y]], [[IEEE 802.11n|n]], [[IEEE 802.11w|w]], [[IEEE 802.11p|p]], [[IEEE 802.11z-2010|z]], [[IEEE 802.11v|v]], [[IEEE 802.11u|u]], [[IEEE 802.11s|s]]) with the 2007 base standard. In addition much cleanup was done, including a reordering of many of the clauses.<ref name=802.11-2012>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.aerohive.com/blog/the-wi-fi-security-blog/why-did-80211-2012-renumber-clauses|title=Why did 802.11-2012 renumber clauses?|author=Matthew Gast|publisher=[[Aerohive Networks]]|access-date=2012-11-17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111042610/http://blogs.aerohive.com/blog/the-wi-fi-security-blog/why-did-80211-2012-renumber-clauses|archive-date=2012-11-11}}</ref> Upon publication on 29 March 2012, the new standard was referred to as '''IEEE 802.11-2012'''.

===802.11ac===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11ac}}
IEEE 802.11ac-2013 is an amendment to IEEE 802.11, published in December 2013, that builds on 802.11n.<ref name="80211ac-approved">{{cite web |url=http://standards.ieee.org/news/2014/ieee_802_11ac_ballot.html |title=New IEEE 802.11ac™ Specification Driven by Evolving Market Need for Higher, Multi-User Throughput in Wireless LANs |last=Kelly |first=Vivian |publisher=IEEE |date=2014-01-07 |access-date=2014-01-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112011626/http://standards.ieee.org/news/2014/ieee_802_11ac_ballot.html |archive-date=2014-01-12 }}</ref> The 802.11ac standard was retroactively labelled as '''Wi-Fi 5''' by the Wi-Fi Alliance.<ref name="Wi-Fi Alliance® introduces Wi-Fi 6"/><ref name="Shankland"/> Changes compared to 802.11n include wider channels (80 or 160&nbsp;MHz versus 40&nbsp;MHz) in the 5&nbsp;GHz band, more spatial streams (up to eight versus four), higher-order modulation (up to 256-[[QAM]] vs. 64-QAM), and the addition of [[Multi-user MIMO]] (MU-MIMO). The Wi-Fi Alliance separated the introduction of ac wireless products into two phases ("waves"), named "Wave 1" and "Wave 2".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.xirrus.com/pdf/Wave2_Whitepaper.pdf|title=802.11AC WAVE 2 A XIRRUS WHITE PAPER}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.networkcomputing.com/wireless/80211ac-wi-fi-part-2-wave-1-and-wave-2-products/1614338859|title=802.11ac Wi-Fi Part 2: Wave 1 and Wave 2 Products}}</ref> From mid-2013, the alliance started certifying Wave 1 802.11ac products shipped by manufacturers, based on the IEEE 802.11ac Draft 3.0 (the IEEE standard was not finalized until later that year).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/282305/Old/New%20Belden.com%20-%20Master%20Resources/blog-pdfs/white_paper_c11-713103.pdf|title=802.11ac: The Fifth Generation of Wi-Fi Technical White Paper|date=March 2014|website=Cisco|access-date=13 February 2020|archive-date=18 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418202027/https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/282305/Old/New%20Belden.com%20-%20Master%20Resources/blog-pdfs/white_paper_c11-713103.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016 Wi-Fi Alliance introduced the Wave 2 certification, to provide higher bandwidth and capacity than Wave 1 products. Wave 2 products include additional features like MU-MIMO, 160&nbsp;MHz channel width support, support for more 5&nbsp;GHz channels, and four spatial streams (with four antennas; compared to three in Wave 1 and 802.11n, and eight in IEEE's 802.11ax specification).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20160629/network-infrastructure/wi-fi/wi-fi-alliance-launches-802-11ac-wave-2-certification-tag6|title=Wi-Fi Alliance launches 802.11ac Wave 2 certification|website=RCR Wireless|date=29 June 2016}}</ref><ref name=techrepublic>{{cite web|url=https://www.techrepublic.com/article/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-802-11ac-wave-2/ |title=6 things you need to know about 802.11ac Wave 2 |website=techrepublic.com |date=2016-07-13 |access-date=2018-07-26}}</ref>

===802.11ad===
{{main|IEEE 802.11ad}}
IEEE 802.11ad is an amendment that defines a new [[physical layer]] for 802.11 networks to operate in the 60&nbsp;GHz [[millimeter wave]] spectrum. This frequency band has significantly different propagation characteristics than the 2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz bands where Wi-Fi networks operate. Products implementing the [[802.11ad]] standard are sold under the [[WiGig]] brand name, with a certification program developed by the Wi-Fi Alliance.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-certified-wigig-brings-multi-gigabit-performance-to-wi-fi-devices | title=Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WiGig™ brings multi-gigabit performance to Wi-Fi® devices | publisher=Wi-Fi Alliance | date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> The peak transmission rate of 802.11ad is 7&nbsp;Gbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.11ad-2012.pdf|title=IEEE Standard Association - IEEE Get Program|website=IEEE Standards Association|access-date=8 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151224035601/http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.11ad-2012.pdf|archive-date=24 December 2015}}</ref>

IEEE 802.11ad is a protocol used for very high data rates (about 8&nbsp;Gbit/s) and for short range communication (about 1–10 meters).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://devopedia.org/ieee-802-11ad|title=IEEE 802.11ad|website=Devopedia|access-date=5 January 2019|date=8 March 2018}}</ref>

TP-Link announced the world's first 802.11ad router in January 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|title = TP-Link unveils world's first 802.11ad WiGig router|url = https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/tp-link-unveils-worlds-first-802-11ad-wigig-router/|website = Ars Technica|date = 8 January 2016|access-date = 2016-01-16|url-status = live|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160116165329/http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/01/tp-link-unveils-worlds-first-802-11ad-wigig-router/|archive-date = 2016-01-16}}</ref>

The WiGig standard as of 2021 has been published after being announced in 2009 and added to the IEEE 802.11 family in December 2012.

===802.11af===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11af}}

IEEE 802.11af, also referred to as "White-Fi" and "[[Super Wi-Fi]]",<ref name="80211afLekomtcev">{{cite magazine|title=Comparison of 802.11af and 802.22 standards – physical layer and cognitive functionality|url=http://www.elektrorevue.cz/file.php?id=200000861-9a19f9b13f|date=June 2012|access-date=2013-12-29|last1=Lekomtcev|first1=Demain|last2=Maršálek|first2=Roman|magazine=Elektrorevue|volume=3|issue=2|issn=1213-1539}}</ref> is an amendment, approved in February 2014, that allows WLAN operation in TV [[White spaces (radio)|white space spectrum]] in the [[VHF]] and [[UHF]] bands between 54 and 790&nbsp;MHz.<ref name="80211timeline"/><ref name="80211afflores">{{cite web|title=IEEE 802.11af: A Standard for TV White Space Spectrum Sharing|url=http://networks.rice.edu/papers/FINAL_article_80211af.pdf|publisher=IEEE|last1=Flores|first1=Adriana B.|last2=Guerra|first2=Ryan E.|last3=Knightly|first3=Edward W.|last4=Ecclesine|first4=Peter|last5=Pandey|first5=Santosh|date=October 2013|access-date=2013-12-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230232954/http://networks.rice.edu/papers/FINAL_article_80211af.pdf|archive-date=2013-12-30}}</ref> It uses [[cognitive radio]] technology to transmit on unused TV channels, with the standard taking measures to limit interference for primary users, such as analog TV, digital TV, and wireless microphones.<ref name="80211afflores"/> Access points and stations determine their position using a satellite positioning system such as [[GPS]], and use the Internet to query a [[TV White Space Database|geolocation database (GDB)]] provided by a regional regulatory agency to discover what frequency channels are available for use at a given time and position.<ref name="80211afflores"/> The physical layer uses OFDM and is based on 802.11ac.<ref name="80211afLim">{{cite web|url=http://edu.tta.or.kr/sub3/down.php?No=139&file=1-4_TVWS_Regulation_and_Standardization_%C0%D3%B5%BF%B1%B9.pdf|first=Dongguk|last=Lim|title=TVWS Regulation and Standardization (IEEE 802.11af)|date=2013-05-23|access-date=2013-12-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001459/http://edu.tta.or.kr/sub3/down.php?No=139&file=1-4_TVWS_Regulation_and_Standardization_%C0%D3%B5%BF%B1%B9.pdf|archive-date=2013-12-31|url-status=dead}}</ref> The propagation path loss as well as the attenuation by materials such as brick and concrete is lower in the UHF and VHF bands than in the 2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz bands, which increases the possible range.<ref name="80211afflores"/> The frequency channels are 6 to 8&nbsp;MHz wide, depending on the regulatory domain.<ref name="80211afflores"/> Up to four channels may be bonded in either one or two contiguous blocks.<ref name="80211afflores"/> MIMO operation is possible with up to four streams used for either [[space–time block code]] (STBC) or multi-user (MU) operation.<ref name="80211afflores"/> The achievable data rate per spatial stream is 26.7&nbsp;Mbit/s for 6 and 7&nbsp;MHz channels, and 35.6&nbsp;Mbit/s for 8&nbsp;MHz channels.<ref name="80211afDraft"/> With four spatial streams and four bonded channels, the maximum data rate is 426.7&nbsp;Mbit/s for 6 and 7&nbsp;MHz channels and 568.9&nbsp;Mbit/s for 8&nbsp;MHz channels.<ref name="80211afDraft"/>

===802.11-2016===
IEEE 802.11-2016 which was known as IEEE 802.11 REVmc,<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.wirelesstrainingsolutions.com/802-11-2016/|title=802.11-2016|date=12 August 2017|website=Wireless Training & Solutions|access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref> is a revision based on IEEE 802.11-2012, incorporating 5 amendments ([[IEEE 802.11ae|11ae]], [[IEEE 802.11aa|11aa]], [[11ad]], [[11ac]], [[11af]]). In addition, existing MAC and PHY functions have been enhanced and obsolete features were removed or marked for removal. Some clauses and annexes have been renumbered.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |url=https://standards.ieee.org/findstds/standard/802.11-2016.html |title=IEEE 802.11-2016 |access-date=2017-03-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308153100/http://standards.ieee.org/findstds/standard/802.11-2016.html |archive-date=2017-03-08 }}</ref>

===802.11ah===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11ah}}

IEEE 802.11ah, published in 2017,<ref>{{cite book|doi=10.1109/IEEESTD.2017.7920364 |isbn=978-1-5044-3911-4 |title=IEEE Standard for Information technology--Telecommunications and information exchange between systems - Local and metropolitan area networks--Specific requirements - Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications Amendment 2: Sub 1 GHZ License Exempt Operation }}</ref> defines a WLAN system operating at sub-1&nbsp;GHz license-exempt bands. Due to the favorable propagation characteristics of the low-frequency spectra, 802.11ah can provide improved transmission range compared with the conventional 802.11 WLANs operating in the 2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz&nbsp;bands. 802.11ah can be used for various purposes including large-scale sensor networks,<ref name="80211ah-daily-wireless">{{cite web |url=http://www.dailywireless.org/2013/08/30/802-11ah-wifi-standard-for-900mhz/ |last=Churchill |first=Sam |title=802.11ah: WiFi Standard for 900MHz |date=2013-08-30 |access-date=2014-02-11 |website=DailyWireless |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140210073727/http://www.dailywireless.org/2013/08/30/802-11ah-wifi-standard-for-900mhz/ |archive-date=10 February 2014 }}</ref> extended-range hotspots, and outdoor Wi-Fi for cellular WAN carrier traffic offloading, whereas the available bandwidth is relatively narrow. The protocol intends consumption to be competitive with low-power [[Bluetooth]], at a much wider range.<ref name="theverge">{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10691400/new-wifi-halow-standard-announced-iot-ces-2016|title=There's a new type of Wi-Fi, and it's designed to connect your smart home|date=2016-01-04|website=[[The Verge]]|access-date=2015-01-04|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104142935/http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/4/10691400/new-wifi-halow-standard-announced-iot-ces-2016|archive-date=2016-01-04}}</ref>

===802.11ai===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11ai}}

IEEE 802.11ai is an amendment to the 802.11 standard that added new mechanisms for a faster initial link setup time.<ref name="ieee802.org">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm |title=IEEE 802.11, The Working Group Setting the Standards for Wireless LANs |access-date=29 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701094002/http://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm |archive-date=1 July 2017 }}</ref>

===802.11aj===
IEEE 802.11aj is a derivative of 802.11ad for use in the 45&nbsp;GHz unlicensed spectrum available in some regions of the world (specifically China); it also provides additional capabilities for use in the 60&nbsp;GHz band.<ref name="ieee802.org"/>

Alternatively known as China Millimeter Wave (CMMW).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Bradley |date=November 16, 2021 |title=802.11 Standards Explained: 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11b/g/n, 802.11a |url=https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553#toc-80211aj |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=Livewire}}</ref>

===802.11aq===
IEEE 802.11aq is an amendment to the 802.11 standard that will enable pre-association discovery of services. This extends some of the mechanisms in 802.11u that enabled device discovery to discover further the services running on a device, or provided by a network.<ref name="ieee802.org"/>

=== 802.11-2020 ===
IEEE 802.11-2020, which was known as IEEE 802.11 REVmd,<ref>{{Cite web|title=IEEE 802.11 Working Group Project Timelines | url=https://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/802.11_Timelines.htm | access-date=2021-04-04 | website=IEEE}}</ref> is a revision based on IEEE 802.11-2016 incorporating 5 amendments ([[11ai]], [[11ah]], [[IEEE 802.11aj|11aj]], [[IEEE 802.11ak|11ak]], [[IEEE 802.11aq|11aq]]). In addition, existing MAC and PHY functions have been enhanced and obsolete features were removed or marked for removal. Some clauses and annexes have been added.<ref>{{Cite web|title=IEEE 802.11-2020 - IEEE Standard for Information Technology--Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems - Local and Metropolitan Area Networks--Specific Requirements - Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications|url=https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/802.11/7028/|access-date=2021-04-04|website=IEEE Standards|archive-date=6 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206191751/https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/802.11/7028/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===802.11ax===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11ax}}

IEEE 802.11ax is the successor to 802.11ac, marketed as '''{{nowrap|Wi-Fi 6}}''' (2.4&nbsp;GHz and 5&nbsp;GHz)<ref name="generational">{{cite web |url=https://www.wi-fi.org/file/generational-wi-fi-user-guide |title=Generational Wi-Fi® User Guide |website=[[Wi-Fi Alliance|www.wi{{nbh}}fi.org]] |format=PDF |date=October 2018 |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref> and {{nowrap|Wi-Fi 6E}} (6&nbsp;GHz)<ref name="6e">{{cite web |url=https://www.wi-fi.org/file/wi-fi-6e-highlights |title=Wi-Fi 6E expands Wi-Fi® into 6 GHz |website=[[Wi-Fi Alliance|www.wi{{nbh}}fi.org]] |format=PDF |date=January 2021 |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref> by the [[Wi-Fi Alliance]]. It is also known as ''High Efficiency'' {{nowrap|Wi-Fi}}, for the overall improvements to {{nowrap|Wi-Fi 6}} clients in ''dense environments''.<ref name="atutorial" /> For an individual client, the maximum improvement in data rate ([[PHY]] speed) against the predecessor (802.11ac) is only 39%{{efn|802.11ax with '''2402&nbsp;Mbit/s''' (MCS Index 11, 2 spatial streams, 160&nbsp;MHz); versus 802.11ac with '''1733.3&nbsp;Mbit/s''' (MCS Index 9, 2 spatial streams, 160&nbsp;MHz).<ref name="semfio">{{cite web |url=https://www.semfionetworks.com/blog/mcs-table-updated-with-80211ax-data-rates |title=MCS Table (Updated with 802.11ax Data Rates) |website=www.semfionetworks.com |date=11 April 2019 |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref>}} (for comparison, this improvement was nearly 500%{{efn|802.11ac with '''1733.3&nbsp;Mbit/s''' (MCS Index 9, 2 spatial streams, 160&nbsp;MHz); versus 802.11n with '''300&nbsp;Mbit/s''' (MCS Index 7, 2 spatial streams, 40&nbsp;MHz}}{{efn-lr|This improvement is 1100% if we consider 144.4&nbsp;Mbit/s (MCS Index 15, 2 spatial streams, '''20&nbsp;MHz'''), due to 40&nbsp;MHz mode from 802.11n (at 2.4&nbsp;GHz) having little practical use in most scenarios.<ref name="duckware">{{cite web |url=https://www.duckware.com/tech/wifi-in-the-us.html#wifi6 |title=Understanding Wi-Fi 4/5/6/6E (802.11 n/ac/ax) |website=www.duckware.com |last=Jongerius |first=Jerry |date=25 November 2020 |access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref>{{rp|qt|q="in virtually all circumstances, you will only get 1/2 of the advertised speed (only be able to use a 20&nbsp;MHz channel)!"}}).<ref name="semfio" />}} for the predecessors).{{efn|An [[IEEE]] article considers only a 37% growth for 802.11ax and a 1000% growth for both 802.11ac and 802.11n.<ref name="atutorial" />}} Yet, even with this comparatively minor 39% figure, the goal was to provide ''4 times'' the [[throughput]]-per-area{{efn|Throughput-per-area, as defined by [[IEEE]], is the ratio of the total network throughput to the network area.<ref name="atutorial" />}} of 802.11ac (hence ''High Efficiency''). The motivation behind this goal was the deployment of [[WLAN]] in dense environments such as corporate offices, shopping malls and dense residential apartments.<ref name="atutorial" /> This is achieved by means of a technique called [[OFDMA]], which is basically multiplexing in the [[Frequency-division multiplexing|''frequency domain'']] (as opposed to [[spatial multiplexing|''spatial'' multiplexing]], as in 802.11ac). This is equivalent to [[Cellular network|cellular technology]] applied into {{nowrap|Wi-Fi}}.<ref name="atutorial">{{cite journal |doi=10.1109/COMST.2018.2871099|doi-access=free |title=A Tutorial on IEEE 802.11ax High Efficiency WLANs |year=2019 |last1=Khorov |first1=Evgeny |last2=Kiryanov |first2=Anton |last3=Lyakhov |first3=Andrey |last4=Bianchi |first4=Giuseppe |journal=IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials |volume=21 |pages=197–216 }}</ref>{{rp|qt|q="The key feature of 802.11ax is the adoption of an OFDMA approach, an approach widely used in cellular networks, but brand new in Wi-Fi."}}

The IEEE 802.11ax{{nbh}}2021 standard was approved on February 9, 2021.<ref name="ieeefeb">{{cite web |url=https://standards.ieee.org/about/sasb/sba/feb2021/ |title=IEEE SA Standards Board Approvals - 09/10 February 2021 |website=[[IEEE]] |date=9 February 2021 |access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref><ref name="ieeeapproval">{{cite web |url=https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/802.11ax/7180/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314171855/https://standards.ieee.org/standard/802_11ax-2021.html |url-status=live |archive-date=14 March 2021 |title=IEEE 802.11ax-2021 - IEEE Approved Draft Standard for Information technology&nbsp;[...] |website=[[IEEE|www.ieee.org]] |date=9 February 2021 |access-date=11 March 2021}}</ref>

===802.11ay===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11ay}}
{{Update|section|date=March 2015}} <!-- ay: need updating with more relevant info. -->

IEEE 802.11ay is a standard that is being developed, also called EDMG: Enhanced Directional MultiGigabit PHY. It is an amendment that defines a new [[physical layer]] for 802.11 networks to operate in the 60&nbsp;GHz [[millimeter wave]] spectrum. It will be an extension of the existing 11ad, aimed to extend the throughput, range, and use-cases. The main use-cases include indoor operation and short-range communications due to atmospheric oxygen absorption and inability to penetrate walls. The peak transmission rate of 802.11ay is 40&nbsp;Gbit/s.<ref>{{cite web|title=P802.11ay|url=https://development.standards.ieee.org/get-file/P802.11ay.pdf?t=85389900003|publisher=IEEE|access-date=19 August 2015|page=1|quote=This amendment defines standardized modifications to both the IEEE 802.11 physical layers (PHY) and the IEEE 802.11 medium access control layer (MAC) that enables at least one mode of operation capable of supporting a maximum throughput of at least 20 gigabits per second (measured at the MAC data service access point), while maintaining or improving the power efficiency per station.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015163345/https://development.standards.ieee.org/get-file/P802.11ay.pdf?t=85389900003|archive-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> The main extensions include: channel bonding (2, 3 and 4), [[MIMO]] (up to 4 streams) and higher modulation schemes. The expected range is 300–500 m.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzPdEnHVc1Y|title = 60GHZ What you need to know about 802 11ad and 802 11ay &#124; Jason Hintersteiner &#124; WLPC Phoenix 2019|website = [[YouTube]]| date=28 February 2019 }}</ref>

===802.11ba===

IEEE 802.11ba Wake-up Radio (WUR) Operation is an amendment to the IEEE 802.11 standard that enables energy-efficient operation for data reception without increasing latency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/tgba_update.htm|title=IEEE P802.11 Task Group BA - Wake-up Radio Operation|website=www.ieee802.org|access-date=2020-08-12}}</ref> The target active power consumption to receive a WUR packet is less than 1 milliwatt and supports data rates of 62.5&nbsp;kbit/s and 250&nbsp;kbit/s. The WUR PHY uses MC-OOK (multicarrier [[On–off keying|OOK]]) to achieve extremely low power consumption.<ref>{{Cite journal| last1 = Liu  | first1 = R.| last2 = Beevi K.T. | first2 = A.| last3 =Dorrance| first3=R.| first4=D.|last4= Dasalukunte| first5= V.|last5= Kristem|first6= M. A. |last6=Santana Lopez|first7= A. W. |last7=Min|first8= S.|last8=Azizi|first9= M.|last9=Park|first10= B. R.|last10=Carlton | title = An 802.11ba-Based Wake-Up Radio Receiver With Wi-Fi Transceiver Integration| journal = Journal of Solid-State Circuits| volume = 55| issue = 5| pages = 1151–1164| publisher = IEEE| date = May 2020|doi=10.1109/JSSC.2019.2957651| bibcode = 2020IJSSC..55.1151L| s2cid = 214179940}}</ref>

===802.11bb===
[[IEEE 802.11bb]] is a networking protocol standard in the IEEE 802.11 set of protocols that uses infrared light for communications.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Mark|last= Tyson |date=2023-07-12 |title=100x Faster Than Wi-Fi: Li-Fi, Light-Based Networking Standard Released |url=https://www.tomshardware.com/news/li-fi-standard-released |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Tom's Hardware |language=en}}</ref>

===802.11be===
{{Main|IEEE 802.11be}}

IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT) is the potential next amendment to the 802.11 IEEE standard,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/ehtsg_update.htm|title=IEEE P802.11 EXTREMELY HIGH THROUGHPUT Study Group|website=www.ieee802.org|access-date=2019-05-20}}</ref> and will likely be designated as '''Wi-Fi 7'''.<ref name="cnet-wifi7">{{Cite web |last=Shankland |first=Stephen |date=2019-09-03 |title=Wi-Fi 6 is barely here, but Wi-Fi 7 is already on the way - With improvements to Wi-Fi 6 and its successor, Qualcomm is working to boost speeds and overcome congestion on wireless networks. |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/wi-fi-6-is-barely-here-but-wi-fi-7-is-already-on-the-way/ |access-date=2020-08-20 |website=[[CNET]]}}</ref><ref name="ieee-wifi7">{{Cite journal |last1=Khorov |first1=Evgeny |first2=Ilya |last2=Levitsky |first3=Ian F. |last3=Akyildiz |date=2020-05-08 |title=Current Status and Directions of IEEE 802.11be, the Future Wi-Fi 7 |journal=[[IEEE Access]]|volume=8 |pages=88664–88688 |doi=10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2993448 |bibcode=2020IEEEA...888664K |s2cid=218834597 |doi-access=free }}</ref> It will build upon 802.11ax, focusing on WLAN indoor and outdoor operation with stationary and pedestrian speeds in the 2.4&nbsp;GHz, 5&nbsp;GHz, and 6&nbsp;GHz frequency bands.