802.11 – Looking Ahead to the Future March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 802.11 – Looking Ahead to the Future Date: 2007-03-13 Authors: Notice: This document has been prepared to assist IEEE 802.11. It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein. Release: The contributor grants a free, irrevocable license to the IEEE to incorporate material contained in this contribution, and any modifications thereof, in the creation of an IEEE Standards publication; to copyright in the IEEE’s name any IEEE Standards publication even though it may include portions of this contribution; and at the IEEE’s sole discretion to permit others to reproduce in whole or in part the resulting IEEE Standards publication. The contributor also acknowledges and accepts that this contribution may be made public by IEEE 802.11. Patent Policy and Procedures: The contributor is familiar with the IEEE 802 Patent Policy and Procedures <http:// ieee802.org/guides/bylaws/sb-bylaws.pdf>, including the statement "IEEE standards may include the known use of patent(s), including patent applications, provided the IEEE receives assurance from the patent holder or applicant with respect to patents essential for compliance with both mandatory and optional portions of the standard." Early disclosure to the Working Group of patent information that might be relevant to the standard is essential to reduce the possibility for delays in the development process and increase the likelihood that the draft publication will be approved for publication. Please notify the Chair <stuart@ok-brit.com> as early as possible, in written or electronic form, if patented technology (or technology under patent application) might be incorporated into a draft standard being developed within the IEEE 802.11 Working Group. If you have questions, contact the IEEE Patent Committee Administrator at <patcom@ieee.org>. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 Abstract An encouragement to initiate the development of new enhancements to 802.11 to deliver very high data rates. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 Background 802.11n represents the most substantial amendment to 802.11 since the 1999 advent of 802.11b and 802.11a (collectively now just 802.11). Looking ahead there will be a time when 802.11n itself becomes synonymous with 802.11. Learning the lessons from the past, a new effort will take years to complete. Therefore we should start soon … Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

Edholm’s Law of Bandwidth March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 Edholm’s Law of Bandwidth See the graph in article [1] Edholm’s Law states: Telecommunications data rates are increasing exponentially vs. time Wireline, nomadic and wireless data rates are progressing at different slopes, but are advancing in lockstep A given application that requires a specific amount of bandwidth can transition from wireline links to nomadic links to wireless links as time progresses and technology advances Therefore, WLANs need to continue to develop to support future applications, in fact this is expected and anticipated In some sense Edholm’s Law is similar to Moore’s Law – i.e. in the sense that it cites an exponential relationship between technical advances and uniform time units. However to directly relate Edholm’s Law to Moore’s Law (as is done in the cited IEEE Spectrum article) is an error. Part of the reason for this is that Moore’s Law, while it is often cited is usually cited in error. For a great explanation of the real definition of Moore’s Law consult the excellent analysis article at: http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/tuomi/ Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

Suggested Path Further enhancements in data rate and MAC capabilities March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 Suggested Path Further enhancements in data rate and MAC capabilities Minimum goal? 5x 150 Mbps = 750 Mbps, say 1 Gbps 5x 600 Mbps = 3 Gbps Based on the 802.11n timeline such an effort could reasonably be expected to complete sometime in the 2011/ 2012 timeframe. If we start soon. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

Viability Time marches on … doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 Viability Time marches on … technological advances continue  academic research continues  Some late submissions to 802.11n already showed example paths to higher data rates. At the January 2007 meeting someone in the audience noted that the > 1 Gbps requirement could be met by using 802.11n and just doubling up the channels, i.e. 2x 600 Mbps = 1.2 Gbps. So data rate enhancement is a viable pursuit, but I’m confident that we can devise an even better approach. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

Other Aspects to Consider March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 Other Aspects to Consider (Based on comments received via the 802.11 email reflector and others.) Strive for even higher data rates? e.g. 5x current highest data rate = 5x600 Mbps = 3 Gbps++ ? Reduce latency Possible bands of operation? Co-existence with other wireless technologies? Alternative media access methods? (vs. CSMA/CA) Separate the control and data planes - i.e. move management and control, and action frames (including all .11v network management frames) out of the data path freeing up bandwidth and capacity for higher throughput and real-time applications on in-band channel operations ? Possible (loose coupling) to an 802.11 IMT-Advanced solution? Development process ? New 802.11 series? Leverage the 802.11 technical and process lessons of the past. Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 Straw Poll Should the 802.11 Working group start a very high throughput development effort? Yes: 48 No: 0 Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

March 2007 doc.: IEEE 802.11-07/0412r1 March 2007 References 1. Edholm’s Law of Bandwidth, IEEE Spectrum, July 2004 issue http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/6/29070/01309810.pdf Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks