November 2013 doc.: IEEE 802.11-13/1444r1
IEEE P802.11
Wireless LANs
Date: 2013-11-13
Author(s):
Name / Affiliation / Address / Phone / email
Bruce Kraemer / Marvell / 5488 Marvell Lane,
Santa Clara, CA, 95054 / +1-321-751-3988 /
Overview
This submission proposes a press release for P802.11af-2013
Contact:
Shuang Yu, Senior Manager, Solutions Marketing
+1 732 981 3424;
Amendments in IEEE 802.11af™ Enable Geolocation Database Access to RF Spectrum “White Spaces”
Improvements to ubiquitous IEEE 802.11TM standard provides regulators with a new cognitive radio tool for their spectrum-sharing toolbox
PISCATAWAY, N.J., USA, XX Month 2013 – IEEE, the world's largest professional organization advancing technology for humanity, today announced that the IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) Standards Board has approved the IEEE 802.11afTM-2013 amendment to provide geolocation database access to “White Spaces” in the radio frequency spectrum. Although this project was timed to coincide with the FCC rulemaking which offers unlicensed access to unused TV channels, based on location and time-of-day, it provides regulators worldwide with a new, secure way to enable better use of unused or underused spectrum. With the mechanisms introduced in IEEE 802.11af, this amendment provides a pathway for future rulemakings that will enable wireless applications to find and utilize spectrum, currently unavailable based on spectrum allocations of the last century.
The IEEE 802.11ac amendment introduces a revolutionary new technology to support multiple concurrent downlink transmissions, referred to as multi-user multiple-input, multiple-output (MU MIMO). By using smart antenna technology, MU MIMO enables more efficient spectrum use, higher system capacity, and reduced latency by supporting up to four simultaneous user transmissions. This is particularly useful for client devices with a limited number of antennas, such as smart phones and tablets.
The IEEE 802.11af amendment builds on the technological advances of IEEE 802.11ac while providing support for operation in unused TV channels in the VHF and UHF bands. Operating in 6, 7 and 8 MHz channels, it may be configured for single channels, up to four channels, either contiguously or in two non-contiguous blocks, providing a means for devices to aggregate sufficient spectrum in a fragmented TV band spectrum.
“As more spectrum becomes necessary, new and better approaches to sharing with licensed spectrum users become a necessity.” said Bruce Kraemer, chair of the IEEE 802.11 working group. “Developed in response to an FCC offer to share unused TV channels, IEEE 802.11af standardized a sharing mechanism with application that goes far beyond the TV bands, providing a means for sharing the white spaces wherever they can be made available.”
More than 50 individuals from equipment and silicon suppliers, service providers, systems integrators, consultant organizations and academic institutions from more than 10 countries participated in IEEE 802.11af ratification. Publication of the amendment is scheduled for March 2014.
IEEE 802.11af is available for purchase at the IEEE Standards Store.
IEEE 802.11[1] defines the technology for the world’s premier wireless LAN (WLAN) products. IEEE 802.11-based products are often branded as “Wi-Fi®” in the market. IEEE 802.11 standards underpin wireless networking applications around the world, such as wireless access to the Internet from offices, homes, airports, hotels, restaurants, trains and aircraft. IEEE 802.11’s relevance continues to expand with the emergence of new applications, such as the smart grid, wireless docking, and the “Internet of Things.” For more information about the IEEE 802.11 working group, visit http://standards.ieee.org/develop/wg/WG802.11.html.
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Submission page 3 Bruce Kraemer, Marvell
[1] IEEE 802.11™-2012 “Standard for Information technology--Telecommunications and informationexchange between systems Local and metropolitan area networks--Specificrequirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and PhysicalLayer (PHY) Specifications”