Which wifi standards use the 2.4ghz frequency
What Is WiFi 6?As you can see, the latest WiFi standard is WiFi 6 (or 802.11 ax). The standard support the already widespread 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, and it also uses the 6 GHz band for increased throughput-per-area in high-density scenarios. Show Additional performance gains are unlocked by features such as orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), higher-order modulation, and Multi-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MU-MIMO), each of which deserves its own in-depth article. The maximum linkrate of WiFi 6 is between 600 and 9608 Mbps, depending on how many channels are utilized. Considering that the average internet speed in the US is just 42 Mbps, it’s safe to say that WiFi 6 is plenty fast for most people. As the latest WiFi standard, WiFi 6 also supports the WPA3 security protocol. This protocol replaces the pre-shared key (PSK) exchange with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) exchange to address security issues posed by weak passwords. This means that it will be easier to have devices join a public WiFi network while still keeping private information private. As more people connect in coffee shops, libraries, churches, and schools, keeping bank connections and other secure communications from prying eyes will be essential. There are more information leaks and data being sold online, so these enhanced encryption techniques will make it safer to be out on public WiFi systems. WiFi 6 was adopted in 2019, and there are already many routers on the market that support the standard. Best of all, the same routers are compatible with other current WiFi standards, so they work even with devices that don’t take advantage of WiFi 6. Home and business owners looking to buy networking gear face an array of choices. Many products conform to the 802.11a, 802.11b/g/n, and/or 802.11ac wireless standards collectively known as Wi-Fi technologies. Other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth also exist, fulfilling specific networking functions. For quick reference, 801.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) is the most recently approved standard. The protocol was approved in 2019. Just because a standard is approved, however, does not mean it is available to you or that it is the standard you need for your particular situation. Standards are always being updated, much like the way software is updated on a smartphone or on your computer. What is 802.11?In 1997, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers created the first WLAN standard. They called it 802.11 after the name of the group formed to oversee its development. Unfortunately, 802.11 only supported a maximum network bandwidth of 2 Mbps—too slow for most applications. For this reason, ordinary 802.11 wireless products are no longer manufactured. However, an entire family has sprung up from this initial standard. The best way to look at these standards is to consider 802.11 as the foundation, and all other iterations as building blocks upon that foundation that focus on improving both small and large aspects of the technology. Some building blocks are minor touch-ups while others are quite large. The largest changes to wireless standards come when the standards are "rolled up" to include most or all small updates. So, for example, the most recent rollup occurred in December 2016 with 802.11-2016. Since then, however, minor updates are still occurring and, eventually, another large roll-up will encompass them. Below is a brief look at the most recently approved iterations, outlined from newest to oldest. Other iterations, like 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), are still in the approval process. Lifewire802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)Branded as Wi-Fi 6, the 802.11ax standard went live in 2019 and will replace 802.11ac as the de facto wireless standard. Wi-Fi 6 maxes out at 10 Gbps, uses less power, is more reliable in congested environments, and supports better security. 802.11ajKnown as the China Millimeter Wave, this standard applies in China and is basically a rebranding of 802.11ad for use in certain areas of the world. The goal is to maintain backward compatibility with 802.11ad. 802.11ahApproved in May 2017, this standard targets lower energy consumption and creates extended-range Wi-Fi networks that can go beyond the reach of a typical 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz networks. It is expected to compete with Bluetooth given its lower power needs. 802.11adApproved in December 2012, this standard is freakishly fast. However, the client device must be located within 30 feet of the access point. Keep in mind when distances are mentioned that ranges can be greatly impacted by obstacles that block the signal, so the range mentioned refers to situations where there is absolutely no interference. 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)The generation of Wi-Fi that first signaled popular use, 802.11ac uses dual-band wireless technology, supporting simultaneous connections on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi devices. 802.11ac offers backward compatibility to 802.11a/b/g/n and bandwidth rated up to 1300 Mbps on the 5 GHz band plus up to 450 Mbps on 2.4 GHz. Most home wireless routers are compliant with this standard. 802.11ac is the most expensive to implement; performance improvements only noticeable in high-bandwidth applications 802.11ac is also referred to as Wi-Fi 5. 802.11n802.11n (also sometimes known as Wireless N) was designed to improve on 802.11g in the amount of bandwidth it supports, by using several wireless signals and antennas (called MIMO technology) instead of one. Industry standards groups ratified 802.11n in 2009 with specifications providing for up to 600 Mbps of network bandwidth. 802.11n also offers a somewhat better range over earlier Wi-Fi standards due to its increased signal intensity, and it is backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g gear.
802.11n is also referred to as Wi-Fi 4. 802.11gIn 2002 and 2003, WLAN products supporting a newer standard called 802.11g emerged on the market. 802.11g attempts to combine the best of both 802.11a and 802.11b. 802.11g supports bandwidth up to 54 Mbps, and it uses the 2.4 GHz frequency for greater range. 802.11g is backward compatible with 802.11b, meaning that 802.11g access points will work with 802.11b wireless network adapters and vice versa.
802.11g is also referred to as Wi-Fi 3. 802.11aWhile 802.11b was in development, IEEE created a second extension to the original 802.11 standard called 802.11a. Because 802.11b gained in popularity much faster than did 802.11a, some folks believe that 802.11a was created after 802.11b. In fact, 802.11a was created at the same time. Due to its higher cost, 802.11a is usually found on business networks whereas 802.11b better serves the home market. 802.11a supports bandwidth up to 54 Mbps and signals in a regulated frequency spectrum around 5 GHz. This higher frequency compared to 802.11b shortens the range of 802.11a networks. The higher frequency also means 802.11a signals have more difficulty penetrating walls and other obstructions. Because 802.11a and 802.11b use different frequencies, the two technologies are incompatible with each other. Some vendors offer hybrid 802.11a/b network gear, but these products merely implement the two standards side by side (each connected device must use one or the other). 802.11a is also referred to as Wi-Fi 2. 802.11bIEEE expanded on the original 802.11 standard in July 1999, creating the 802.11b specification. 802.11b supports a theoretical speed up to 11 Mbps. A more realistic bandwidth of 2 Mbps (TCP) and 3 Mbps (UDP) should be expected. 802.11b uses the same unregulated radio signaling frequency (2.4 GHz) as the original 802.11 standard. Vendors often prefer using these frequencies to lower their production costs. Being unregulated, 802.11b gear can incur interference from microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other appliances using the same 2.4 GHz range. However, by installing 802.11b gear a reasonable distance from other appliances, interference can easily be avoided. 802.11b is also referred to as Wi-Fi 1. What About Bluetooth and the Rest?Aside from these five general-purpose Wi-Fi standards, several other related wireless network technologies offer slightly different value propositions.
The following IEEE 802.11 standards exist or are in development to support the creation of technologies for wireless local area networking:
Additional standards that are not mentioned here may also exist. However, they may have been supplanted or canceled and are not relevant to the information in this article. The Official IEEE 802.11 Working Group Project Timelines page is published by IEEE to indicate the status of each of the networking standards under development. Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Which WiThe IEEE 802.11 standard specifies a technology that operates in the 2.4-2.5 GHz.
Which protocol operates at 2.4 GHz?The ZigBee protocol operates globally on a single frequency of 2.4 GHz. ZigBee offers wireless range of 70m indoors and and 400m outdoors. It offers networking flexibility to covers homes of all size by offering support for multiple networks like point-to-point, point-to-multipoint mesh-networks.
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