Wi-Fi® 7 gives device OEMs and their customers a host of advantages over previous generations, starting with double the channel width (320 MHz) of Wi-Fi 6/6E, as well as a higher modulation scheme (4K QAM) to pack 20% more bits into each channel. It also leverages its predecessors with Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which enables Wi-Fi 7 devices to aggregate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels to maximize throughput.
The catch is that simply adding an 802.11be module and 6 GHz antenna to a product design doesn’t guarantee all of those and other benefits. As with cellular, GNSS, Bluetooth, and every other wireless technology, successfully implementing Wi-Fi 7 requires close attention to detail to create a product whose performance and reliability stand out from the competition. That diligence directly affects the OEM’s brand reputation, pricing power, market share, and more.
For example, Wi-Fi 6/6E antennas support 5.925 to 7.125 GHz, which is what Wi-Fi 7 uses. But the device design must prioritize isolation to avoid self-interference when operating in MLO mode. PCB layout also is key to ensure that the antenna has a ground plane capable of maximizing gain and thus performance.
Successful Certification Starts with Antenna and Design Choices
Wi-Fi Alliance certification is a major milestone in getting a Wi-Fi 7 device from the drawing board to market. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 trademark tells enterprises, consumers, and other end users that a device supports all of the standard’s requirements, unlike products that were released before Wi-Fi 7 spec was finalized.
MLO is an example of how Wi-Fi 7 is backward compatible with previous generations. That means Wi-Fi 7 devices also must meet certification requirements for Wi-Fi 5 and 6/6E in the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands.
Many Wi-Fi devices support additional technologies, such as Bluetooth and cellular. Those devices must be able to simultaneously meet multiple certification requirements for Wi-Fi 7 and 4G/5G — including in use cases where they’re transmitting and/or receiving at the same time. The device’s PCB layout, antenna choices, and testing all determine its ability to meet these diverse certification requirements.
The device’s geographic target markets also affect certification because the U.S. and other countries have different requirements for transmit power and channel options. For example, Wi-Fi 7 devices sold in Europe must comply with ETSI EN 303 687. As the number of target markets grows, so does the revenue potential — but at the price of additional design and testing complexity to ensure certification.
Call in the Experts
Taoglas offers a variety of tools and engineering services to help device OEMs select the right antenna for their Wi-Fi 7 product and then successfully integrate it to pass certification. For example, if the device has a space-constrained form factor or will be used for low-bandwidth applications, a single antenna may be sufficient. But if speed is a key requirement, then multiple antennas are necessary to support MIMO operation. Those antennas must be carefully integrated to minimize coupling and maximize throughput. Taoglas engineers can help device OEMs successfully navigate that process — and potentially get the product to market faster by avoiding pitfalls that require redesigns.
Another example is ensuring that a design will pass Wi-Fi 7 certification. For instance, suppose that a Wi-Fi router or access point needs to avoid interfering with protected incumbent users in the Wi-Fi 7 band. To support automated frequency coordination (AFC) and dynamic frequency selection (DFS), those routers and APs will need the ability to report their exact location at least once a day.
The catch is that the WAN IP address doesn’t provide the granular latitude and longitude information necessary to achieve that precision, so those devices will need to support GNSS. That means those OEMs will need guidance for choosing and integrating a GNSS antenna system that’s capable of reliable performance even indoors.
