Types of IEEE 802.11 standards and their evolution

Wireless networks have revolutionized the way we connect to the Internet, eliminating the limitations of cables and enabling mobility. In this context, the standard IEEE 802.11 It has become the fundamental pillar of Wi-Fi, with multiple versions that have evolved with it. There to offer higher speeds, better security and a more efficient connectivity.

In this article, we will explore in depth the different types of IEEE 802.11 standards, their features, improvements and how they have evolved since their first version in 1997 to the latest technologies such as Wi-Fi 6 y Wi-Fi 7.

What is IEEE 802.11?

IEEE 802.11 is a set of standards for wireless local area networks (WLANs) developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Its main objective is to define how devices can communicate wirelessly using specific radio frequencies.

Originally, the first version of the IEEE 802.11 standard allowed very low transmission speeds of 1 to 2Mbps. However, over time, new versions have significantly improved the performance, to maximise security and your enjoyment. and stability of wireless connections.

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Main IEEE 802.11 standards and their features

IEEE 802.11 (1997)

It was the first official version of the standard, published in 1997. Its maximum speed was 2 Mbps and used the band of 2.4 GHzAlthough it was revolutionary at the time, it quickly became obsolete due to its speed limitations y to maximise security and your enjoyment..

IEEE 802.11a (1999)

Published in 1999, IEEE 802.11a introduced significant performance improvements. It operated in the 5 GHzUsing OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) to offer speeds of up to 54 Mbps. When operating in 5 GHz, had less interference, but its range was more limited than the versions that operated in 2.4 GHz.

IEEE 802.11b (1999)

IEEE 802.11b was also published in 1999, but unlike 802.11a, it operated in the XNUMXb band. 2.4 GHz. He used the modulation method DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) and offered a maximum speed of 11 Mbps. It was widely adopted due to its low cost y compatibility with existing wireless equipment.

IEEE 802.11g (2003)

This standard, published in 2003, combined the best of 802.11a and 802.11b. It operated in the 2.4 GHz, but used OFDM to reach speeds of up to 54 Mbps, keeping compatibility with 802.11b devices.

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IEEE 802.11n (2009) – Wi-Fi 4

IEEE 802.11n, also known as Wi-Fi 4, was a major evolution in the wireless world. It introduced the technology MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), which allowed the use of multiple antennas to improve data transmission. It operated in the bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, with theoretical speeds of up to 600 Mbps.

Another key improvement was the expansion of the channel bandwidth 20 MHz a 40 MHz, allowing for greater efficiency in data transmission and reducing the interference.

IEEE 802.11ac (2013) – Wi-Fi 5

The IEEE 802.11ac standard, or Wi-Fi 5, was one of the biggest improvements in terms of performance. It worked exclusively on the band 5 GHz, using channels up to 160 MHz and the system MU-MIMO to allow simultaneous streaming to multiple devices. Its theoretical speeds reached up to 6.9 Gbps.

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IEEE 802.11ax (2019) – Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6, based on the IEEE 802.11ax standard, introduced significant improvements in efficiency and capacity. It operated on both bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) and offered speeds of up to 10 Gbps. It implemented technologies such as OFDMA y BSS coloring to reduce interference and improve performance in networks with many connected devices.

IEEE 802.11be (2024) – Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7, based on IEEE 802.11be, is designed to deliver speeds of up to 46 Gbps Through the use of 320 MHz channels and technology MLO (Multi-Link Operation). Works on 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz, which further reduces the interferences and improve the latency.

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Frequencies and channels in IEEE 802.11

Different versions of IEEE 802.11 have operated at different frequencies:

• 2.4 GHz: Longer range, but more interference.
• 5 GHz: Less interference and higher speeds.
• 6 GHz: More bandwidth and less congestion.

Security in IEEE 802.11

Wi-Fi security has progressively improved since the first standards. Some technologies implemented include:

• WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy): First choice for security, but easily vulnerable.
• WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): Introduced improvements in encryption and authentication.
• WPA2: Based on AES, considered secure for years.
• WPA3: Increased protection against modern attacks like KRACK.

The evolution of the IEEE 802.11 standard has allowed Wi-Fi to evolve from a nascent technology to become the foundation of global wireless communication. From the early versions with low speeds to the latest versions that offer ultra-fast connections y safe, each advance has been key in the way we access information on a daily basis.