1. 802.11 – Looking Ahead to the Future
March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
– Looking Ahead to the Future
Date:
Authors:
Notice: This document has been prepared to assist IEEE 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
Patent Policy and Procedures: The contributor is familiar with the IEEE 802 Patent Policy and Procedures < 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 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 Working Group. If you have questions, contact the IEEE Patent Committee Administrator at
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

2. March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
Abstract
An encouragement to push ahead with the development of new enhancements to to deliver very high data rates.
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

3. March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
Today
802.11n represents the most substantial amendment to since the advent of b and a (collectively now just ) in 1999.
Look ahead to a time when n itself will become synonymous with
Learning the lessons from the past such an effort will take years to complete.
Therefore we should start soon …
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

4. Edholm’s Law of Bandwidth
March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
Edholm’s Law of Bandwidth
See IEEE Spectrum July 2004 issue
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

5. Suggested Path Further enhancements in data rate and MAC capabilities
March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
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 = Gbps
Based on the n 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

6. Viability Time marches on … technological advances continue 
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
Viability
Time marches on … technological advances continue 
Academic research continues …
Some late submissions to n already showed example paths to higher data rates.
At the January 2007 meeting someone in the audience noted that n could meet the > 1 Gbps requirement by 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 do better than that.
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

7. Other Aspects to Consider
March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
Other Aspects to Consider
(Based on comments received via the reflector and others.)
Strive for even higher data rates, e.g. 5x current highest data rate = 5x600 Mbps = 3 Gbps++ ?
Consider use of 60 GHz band?
Very high data rates should be accompanied by improved media access methods (i.e. something better than CSMA/CA) ?
Very high data rates should be accompanied by separation of the control and data planes (i.e. move management and control, and action frames (including all .11v network management frames) be moved out of the data path freeing up bandwidth and capacity for higher throughput and real-time applications on in-band channel operations) ?
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

8. March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
Straw Poll
Should the Working group start a very high throughput development effort?
Yes:
No:
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks

9. March 2007
doc.: IEEE /0412r0
March 2007
References
Edholm’s Law of Bandwidth, IEEE Spectrum, July 2004 issue
RECOMMENDATION ITU-R M Framework and overall objectives of the future development of IMT 2000 and systems beyond IMT (Question ITU-R 229/8)
introduction-to-imt-advanced.ppt
imt-advanced-analysis-march-2007.doc
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks
Darwin Engwer, Nortel Networks