Wi-fi 7: Future connectivity technology for the Internet of Things

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), the number of connected devices around the world is growing rapidly. According to the latest data from IoT Analytics, the number of iot devices worldwide has grown from 16.6 billion in 2023 to 18.8 billion today, an increase of 13%. It is expected that by 2030, the number of iot devices will exceed 40 billion. This trend shows that the iot ecosystem is undergoing an unprecedented expansion. In this change, Wi-Fi7 is expected to become a "game changer" in the field of Internet of Things with its powerful technical characteristics.

The technical advantages of Wi-Fi7

As a new generation of wireless communication technology, Wi-Fi7 introduces a number of innovative features, making it show great potential in the field of Internet of Things. Among the most notable technical features are 320MHz channel, 4096-QAM modulation, and multi-link operation (MLO).

1. 320MHz channel and 4096-QAM modulation

Wi-fi 7's 320MHz channel and 4096-QAM modulation technology bring significant capacity and data rate improvements. Compared to Wi-Fi6, Wi-Fi7 can deliver up to four times the data throughput. This feature is critical for iot applications where data transfer speed and capacity are extremely demanding. For example, in smart factories, real-time AI-driven automation systems need to transfer large amounts of data quickly to enable efficient production process monitoring and equipment working together. Similarly, in healthcare, iot devices need to transmit high-resolution patient data, such as medical images and real-time vital signs monitoring data, and Wi-Fi7's high data rates ensure fast and stable transmission of these data.

However, the advantage of Wi-Fi7 is not just in the higher data rate. In fact, the data rate requirement for many iot applications is not that high, and the data rate of Wi-Fi6/6E is already able to meet the vast majority of existing iot scenarios. The real value of Wi-Fi7 lies in its efficiency and reliability. With 320MHz channel and 4096-QAM modulation, Wi-Fi7 is able to better manage spectrum resources and reduce interference in high-density iot deployments, thereby improving the overall performance of the network.

2, Multi-link operation (MLO)

Multilink Operation (MLO) is another key feature of Wi-Fi7, which brings significant performance improvements to the Internet of Things. Whereas traditional Wi-Fi devices can only connect to one band at a time, MLO allows access points and devices to communicate on multiple bands or channels simultaneously. This multi-link communication method not only improves the overall speed, but more importantly, it enables load balancing and dynamic interference mitigation.

For example, for latency-sensitive applications such as VoIP (voice calling) connections, MLO can move them to a low-interference channel, thus ensuring the smooth flow of the call. For large file transfers, MLO can distribute data across multiple frequency bands, further improving transmission efficiency. This flexibility makes Wi-Fi7 ideal for emerging iot applications such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), online gaming, remote working and cloud computing.

In addition, MLO can significantly reduce latency and improve network reliability. In the iot environment, low latency and high reliability are core requirements for many applications. For example, in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), precision robotics and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications require extremely low latency and high reliability to ensure precision and safety in production processes. The MLO capabilities of Wi-Fi7 are able to meet these demanding requirements, thereby driving further development of the industrial Internet of Things.

The impact of Wi-Fi7 on iot applications

The technical characteristics of Wi-Fi7 make it show great potential in multiple iot application scenarios. From smart homes to industrial automation, from healthcare to self-driving cars, Wi-Fi7 is expected to be a key driver in these areas.

1. Smart home

In the smart home sector, the number of iot devices is increasing, from smart appliances, smart security systems to smart lighting devices, which require stable and reliable wireless connectivity. The high capacity and low latency features of Wi-Fi7 ensure seamless communication between smart home devices. For example, smart security cameras can transmit high-definition video in real time, while smart appliances can quickly respond to user control commands via Wi-Fi7.

In addition, Wi-Fi7's MLO capability enables better management of multiple devices in the home network, avoiding interference between devices. Through dynamic load balancing, the network can automatically allocate frequency bands and channels according to the needs of devices, thereby improving the performance and user experience of the entire smart home system.

2. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The Industrial Internet of Things is another important application area for Wi-Fi7. In manufacturing, precision robotics and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications require extremely high reliability and low latency. The deterministic performance of Wi-Fi7 ensures that data is transmitted with minimal jitter and packet loss, thus meeting the stringent requirements of the Industrial iot.

For example, in an automated production line, the collaborative work between robots requires precise timing control. The low latency and high reliability of Wi-Fi7 ensures uninterrupted communication between robots, improving production efficiency and product quality. In addition, Wi-Fi7's high data rates can also support big data analytics and real-time monitoring in the Industrial Internet of Things, helping manufacturers optimize production processes and reduce operating costs.

3. Health care

In healthcare, iot devices are increasingly being used, from remote patient monitoring to the interconnection of smart medical devices. Wi-fi 7's high data rates and low latency ensure fast and accurate transmission of medical data. For example, high-resolution medical imaging devices can quickly transmit images to a diagnostic center via Wi-Fi7, thus improving diagnostic efficiency.

In addition, the reliability of Wi-Fi7 is critical for medical iot devices. For example, in remote patient monitoring, the real-time transmission of patient vital sign data requires extremely high reliability to ensure that medical staff can detect abnormalities and take action in a timely manner. The deterministic performance of Wi-Fi7 can meet these requirements, thus providing a strong support for the development of the Internet of Things in healthcare.

4. Self-driving cars

Self-driving cars are another cutting-edge application in the Internet of Things. The low latency and high reliability features of Wi-Fi7 enable real-time vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication for a safer transportation system. For example, Wi-Fi7 allows vehicles to quickly exchange driving information such as speed, distance, and driving intent to avoid collisions.

In addition, Wi-Fi7's high data rates can also support high-definition map downloads and real-time data processing in self-driving cars. By seamlessly connecting with intelligent transportation infrastructure, autonomous vehicles can better adapt to complex traffic environments and improve driving safety and efficiency.

Network optimization features of Wi-Fi7

In addition to the above technical features, Wi-Fi7 introduces several network optimization features to address the challenges posed by the increasing number of iot devices. These features include enhanced orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), multi-user Multiple input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), and adaptive leader code punching.

1. OFDMA and MU-MIMO

OFDMA and MU-MIMO are two important technologies in Wi-Fi7 that can significantly increase the capacity and efficiency of the network. OFDMA allows multiple iot devices to communicate on the same frequency band at the same time, while MU-MIMO enables simultaneous data transmission of multiple devices through multi-antenna technology. The combination of these two technologies allows Wi-Fi7 to better manage the connectivity of a large number of iot devices and reduce network congestion.

For example, in a high-density iot environment, such as a smart factory or a large commercial building, where a large number of iot devices are connected to the network at the same time, traditional Wi-Fi networks can experience congestion and latency issues. The OFDMA and MU-MIMO technologies of Wi-Fi7 can effectively allocate frequency band and antenna resources, ensuring that every device can get a stable connection and fast data transmission.

2, adaptive leading code perforation

Adaptive lead code perforation is another innovative feature of Wi-Fi7, which can further improve spectrum utilization. In the wireless signal competition environment, the efficient use of spectrum resources is very important. Adaptive leader-code punching technology can dynamically adjust the spectrum allocation according to the strength and interference of the wireless signal, so as to achieve better spectrum utilization.

For example, in a complex wireless environment, such as a city center or a large public place, where multiple wireless networks operate simultaneously, spectrum resources are very limited. Wi-fi 7's adaptive leader punch technology intelligently identifies available spectrum and dynamically adjusts spectrum allocation to reduce interference and improve network performance.

Prospects for Wi-Fi7 adoption in the Internet of Things

Although Wi-Fi7 shows great potential in the iot space, its adoption in the iot may take longer than expected. Currently, high-end consumer devices have begun to integrate Wi-Fi7, but many iot products are still transitioning to Wi-Fi6/6E.

From the perspective of market trends, Wi-Fi7 is not expected to dominate the Internet of Things until 2030. Based on historical adoption patterns, the emergence of Wi-Fi8 is likely to further delay the adoption of Wi-Fi7, and the time frame for widespread adoption of Wi-Fi7 is expected to be between 2035 and 2040. This time span reflects the cautious attitude of the iot market in terms of technology upgrades and device updates.

However, that doesn't mean Wi-Fi7 won't have an impact on iot in the near term. In fact, as more and more high-end devices and critical applications begin to adopt Wi-Fi7, its technical advantages will gradually become apparent. For example, in areas such as the Industrial Internet of Things and healthcare, high requirements for network performance and reliability will drive early adoption of Wi-Fi7. Success stories in these areas will set the stage for Wi-Fi7 to be rolled out in the broader iot market.

Sum up

As a new generation of wireless communication technology, Wi-Fi7 is expected to become a key driver in the Internet of Things field with its powerful features such as 320MHz channel, 4096-QAM modulation and multi-link operation (MLO). Not only does it provide faster, more reliable, energy efficient, and lower latency wireless connectivity, it also meets the needs of emerging and more advanced, data-intensive iot applications. From smart homes to industrial automation, from healthcare to self-driving cars, Wi-Fi7 shows great potential.

However, Wi-Fi7 adoption in iot will take time. Despite its obvious technological advantages, the iot market is relatively cautious in terms of technology upgrades and device updates. Wi-fi 7 is not expected to dominate the Internet of Things until 2030, and its widespread adoption may take longer. Nevertheless, the early adoption of Wi-Fi7 will be successful in key areas and lay a solid foundation for future iot developments.

As the Internet of Things ecosystem continues to expand, the technical advantages of Wi-Fi7 will gradually emerge. It will be the backbone of the next generation of iot deployments, pushing iot technology to the next level. In the next few years, with the gradual adoption of Wi-Fi7, the performance and user experience of iot devices will be significantly improved, thus opening a more intelligent and efficient new era of iot.