802.11ay wireless technology: Next-gen 60GHz WiFi

Introduction to 802.11ay

IEEE 802.11ay is an advanced WiFi standard enhancing the 802.11ad (WiGig) protocol, operating in the unlicensed 60 GHz millimeter wave band. It delivers multi-gigabit speeds and extended range, making it a significant upgrade for high-bandwidth, short-range wireless networks. Finalised in 2021, 802.11ay enhances 802.11ad’s capabilities, targeting applications like cable replacement and outdoor backhaul while maintaining compatibility with 802.11ad devices.

IEEE 802.11ay 60GHz networking
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Technical Summary

802.11ay operates in the 60 GHz band, offering theoretical data rates of 20–40 Gbit/s for typical configurations and up to 176 Gbit/s with full optimisation (4 MIMO streams, 8.64 GHz bandwidth, 256-QAM modulation). Key features include:

  • Channel Bonding: Combines up to four 2.16 GHz channels for a maximum bandwidth of 8.64 GHz.

  • Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO): Supports up to 4 spatial streams for improved efficiency in multi-device environments.

  • Extended Range: Achieves 300–500 meters in 802.11ay-to-802.11ay setups, compared to 802.11ad’s 10–12 meters.

  • Backward Compatibility: Interoperable with 802.11ad devices in the 60 GHz band.

  • Modulation: Supports up to 256-QAM for high data density.

Comparison with 802.11ad

  • Data Rates: 802.11ad (released 2012) supports up to 4.6 Gbit/s using a single 2.16 GHz channel, while 802.11ay achieves 20–40 Gbit/s (up to 176 Gbit/s with full optimization).

  • Range: 802.11ad is limited to 10–12 meters with poor penetration through solid objects; 802.11ay extends range to 300–500 meters in line-of-sight scenarios.

  • Enhancements: 802.11ay introduces channel bonding (up to 8.64 GHz), MU-MIMO, and MAC-level improvements for greater flexibility and efficiency.

  • Use Cases: 802.11ad suits short-range applications (e.g., VR headsets, wireless monitors), while 802.11ay supports broader applications like outdoor backhaul and cable replacement.

Other up-coming Fast WiFi standards: 802.11ax

IEEE 802.11ay 60GHz networking
IEEE 802.11ay 60GHz networking

Unlike 802.11ay, which operates in the 60 GHz band and cannot penetrate walls, 802.11ax (WiFi 6) uses 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, offering better wall penetration but lower maximum speeds (~9.6 Gbit/s with 160 MHz, 4 streams). 802.11ax is better suited for general indoor WiFi, while 802.11ay excels in high-bandwidth, line-of-sight scenarios.

What will 802.11ay be used for?

802.11ay’s high speeds and extended range make it ideal for:

  • Cable Replacement: Replacing Ethernet cables in offices or homes for seamless wireless connectivity.
  • Outdoor Backhaul: Providing point-to-point or point-to-multipoint connectivity for service providers, especially as an alternative to costly fibre rollouts.
  • Low-Latency Applications: Supporting VR headsets, server backups, and cloud applications requiring minimal latency.
  • Internal Networks: Enabling robust mesh and backbone networks within enterprises.

Development and Availability

The 802.11ay task group began in 2015, with the standard finalised in 2021. Products based on 802.11ay are now available, supported by major equipment and chipset vendors. The IEEE task group aimed to create a standard supporting at least 20 Gbit/s throughput while maintaining power efficiency and compatibility with 802.11ad devices in the 60 GHz band.

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