As the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices rapidly increases (with some estimates predicting over 40 billion devices by 2025), our need for quick, energy-efficient, and secure connections is also growing. This surge in IoT devices is highlighting weaknesses in our current connectivity methods, which wireless technology developers are working hard to improve.
Definition of Wi-fi certified 6
Wi-Fi 6 is the newest Wi-Fi technology for the 2.4-, 5-, and 6-GHz frequency bands, designed for devices that use the IEEE 802.11ax standard. Previous versions include Wi-Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11n) for the 2.4- and 5-GHz bands and Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac) for the 5-GHz band.
A Wi-Fi 6 device that works on the 2.4- and/or 5-GHz bands is also compatible with older Wi-Fi technologies like IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and IEEE 802.11g. This means it has extra requirements for sending data, such as longer packet preambles and additional protection mechanisms.
According to the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi 6 focuses on providing high-quality connectivity in places with many connected devices, like stadiums and other public venues, as well as corporate networks that use time-sensitive, high-bandwidth applications. This means it offers capacity, efficiency, dense coverage, and the performance needed in busy environments. Therefore, Wi-Fi 6 is mainly used for high-speed, short-range applications in the 5- and 6-GHz bands, such as gaming and virtual reality.
About Wi-fi certified Halow?
Wi-Fi HaLow is the newest protocol approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance. It was designed specifically for the Internet of Things (IoT), providing longer range and lower power usage compared to Wi-Fi 4, 5, or 6. Wi-Fi HaLow is perfect for tough environments, supporting various IoT applications in industries like agriculture, smart buildings, and smart cities.
Quick Comparison: Wi-Fi HaLow vs. Wi-Fi 6
Not all Wi-Fi technologies are the same, especially for IoT applications. The table below compares IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow with 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6, based on the most popular features desired by home and business owners.
Comprehensive Connectivity Overview
Wi-Fi HaLow works in the sub-1-GHz band with narrow channels, usually between 1 to 8 MHz wide, though 16-MHz channels are also possible according to the IEEE 802.11ah standard. Very-low-power IoT devices can use 1- or 2-MHz channels, while long-range, low-power cameras needing higher data rates can use 4- and 8-MHz channels.
These narrow channels, combined with sub-1-GHz frequencies (850 to 950 MHz) and optimized modulation and coding schemes (MCS), allow Wi-Fi HaLow to reach distances over 1 kilometer. This is about 10 times the range of Wi-Fi 6 (around 100 meters). Additionally, the sub-1-GHz signals used by Wi-Fi HaLow can penetrate walls and other obstacles better than the 2.4-, 5-, and 6-GHz signals used by Wi-Fi 6, regardless of the material of the obstacle.
Wi-Fi 6 uses orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) with resource unit (RU) allocation, enabling multiple devices to send or receive data from an access point (AP) simultaneously. Although this seems to create narrower channels, the actual minimum channel width and sampling rate remain at 20 MHz, which does not save as much power as the narrow channels used by Wi-Fi HaLow.
Understanding Access Point Capacity
A single Wi-Fi HaLow access point (AP) can support up to 8,191 devices, which is four times the capacity of a Wi-Fi 6 AP (2,007 devices). This means it can handle many more LED bulbs, smart door locks, security cameras, and numerous automation devices used in smart buildings and factories.
In a smart home, Wi-Fi 6 routers typically support tens of devices, while a single Wi-Fi HaLow AP installed by a broadband service provider can easily meet the IoT needs of any household.
Security in Action
Wi-Fi HaLow and Wi-Fi 6 both use IEEE 802.11 protocols, meaning they follow a globally accepted standard for secure device authentication and communication. Both support the latest Wi-Fi Alliance security standards, including WPA3 for authentication and AES encryption for over-the-air (OTA) data. They also have data rates that allow for secure OTA firmware updates.
Power Efficiency
Wi-Fi 6 connections use a lot of power, so battery-powered IoT devices using Wi-Fi 6 may need to be recharged often. This is a big problem for IoT devices that need to work over long distances and run on batteries for years. Wi-Fi HaLow was created to fix this issue. It’s the most energy-efficient Wi-Fi available, using much less power than Wi-Fi 6.
Target Wake Time (TWT) was originally made to save power for Wi-Fi HaLow devices that sleep for long periods. While Wi-Fi 6 also has TWT, it’s mainly used for scheduling multiple devices to send data at the same time, not for supporting long-sleeping IoT devices. Therefore, Wi-Fi 6 can’t support the very long sleep times that Wi-Fi HaLow can.
Flexible Connections
Unlike other private wireless protocols, Wi-Fi HaLow and Wi-Fi 6 are both free to use and based on the open IEEE 802.11 standard. This makes installation easier and lowers costs since there’s no need for special gateways, controllers, or hubs. Additionally, because both protocols follow the IEEE 802.11 standard, Wi-Fi HaLow and Wi-Fi 6 networks can work together without affecting their performance.
Data rate
Wi-Fi HaLow offers various data rates that are perfect for IoT devices. For example, it can provide speeds from 150 kb/s using MCS 10 with BPSK modulation, up to 4.4 Mb/s using MCS 9 with a single spatial stream at the narrowest bandwidth of 1 MHz. In an 8-MHz channel, a single-stream Wi-Fi HaLow access point (AP) can support a mix of IoT devices, from very low power sensors sending 1-MHz packets at rates as low as 150 kb/s, to cameras sending 8-MHz packets at rates up to 43 Mb/s.
While Wi-Fi HaLow is the most balanced 802.11 standard for most IoT applications, it is not designed for short-range, data-heavy applications like ultra-high-resolution video streaming, high-end gaming, or low-latency virtual reality. With its faster data rates, Wi-Fi 6 is better suited for these power-hungry applications that need high throughput and low latency.
What should we choose?
Imagine Wi-Fi HaLow and Wi-Fi 6 as competitive siblings who are a bit different but still compatible, each with their own strengths. Wi-Fi 6 is the fast and powerful option for home and business applications that need a lot of bandwidth, where power usage and range aren’t major issues. On the other hand, if you need a mix of longer range, better obstacle penetration, lower power consumption, and decent data speeds for IoT applications, Wi-Fi HaLow is the better choice.
References
1. https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-6
2. https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-halow