Wi-Fi 8: What to Expect
Since its debut in the late 90s, Wi-Fi has undergone a remarkable evolution. The original 802.11 standard offered just 1 Mbps, just enough to send emails. Even so, it sparked a vision of a future where devices could communicate wirelessly, unbound by physical wired connections.
embedUR has been there since the very early days, helping network equipment companies in Silicon Valley and across the world build Wi-Fi infrastructure and devices, exploiting the features of every iteration of Wi-Fi since 802.11b.
Today, Wi-Fi has become a key part of how we connect to the internet, linking billions of devices worldwide. In 2023, an estimated 19.5 billion Wi-Fi devices were in use, ranging from smartphones and laptops to security cameras and smart home gadgets.
With Wi-Fi 7 already reaching speeds of up to 30 Gbps, it’s safe to say that speed will no longer be the headline feature. For most IoT applications, we’ve met the “fast enough” threshold. So, what’s next?
The next generation of Wi-Fi—Wi-Fi 8, also known as 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability will redefine connectivity. Its focus will be on intelligence, adaptability, and reliability that will make dropped connections a thing of the past, even in interference-heavy and mission-critical environments.
Anticipating Wi-Fi 8: What We Expect
Wi-Fi 8 is currently in the early stage of standardization, with commercial availability expected by 2028. As this next iteration of Wi-Fi technology begins to take shape, its anticipated features have profound implications for the IoT ecosystems. Here are the features we anticipate:
1. Advancement of Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR)
Wi-Fi 8 is expected to advance the Coordinated Spatial Reuse (Co-SR) concept first seen in Wi-Fi 7. This technology will likely allow access points (APs) to collaborate more effectively and reduce interference in crowded environments.
In theory, Co-SR will enable better management of the shared spectrum, ensuring more devices can operate simultaneously without compromising throughput or reliability.
For IoT environments, where large numbers of devices often need to operate in close proximity, this could be a game-changer. In factories, offices, or urban centers with dozens or hundreds of devices communicating in real-time, Co-SR would ensure that each device gets the bandwidth it needs without disrupting the others.
While we’re still awaiting final confirmation of these features, it’s clear that better coordination between APs will help IoT deployments where network congestion is a constant challenge.
2. Target Wake Time (TWT) Enhancements
Wi-Fi 8 is expected to build on the Target Wake Time (TWT) mechanism introduced in Wi-Fi 6, which allows devices to schedule communications ahead of time. This feature lets devices stay in low-power states longer, conserving battery life.
By further optimizing TWT, Wi-Fi 8 could deliver significant improvements for low-power IoT devices, especially those deployed in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
For IoT ecosystems like environmental sensors, smart home devices, and industrial monitoring systems, these enhancements could be a game-changer. By reducing how often devices need to transmit or listen for data, Wi-Fi 8 has the potential to extend battery life and make large-scale, long-term deployments more practical.
While the full impact of these improvements remains to be seen, the prospect of more power-efficient IoT devices is an exciting step forward.
3. 4096-QAM
Another standout feature expected in Wi-Fi 8 is the adoption of 4096-QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation), which increases data throughput by transmitting more bits per signal.
This enhanced modulation will likely be critical for IoT applications that require large data pipelines, such as video surveillance systems, augmented reality (AR) platforms, and smart healthcare devices that stream continuous data.
If Wi-Fi 8 successfully delivers 4096-QAM, it could enable high-throughput, low-latency applications that were previously constrained by the limits of earlier Wi-Fi standards.
For industries relying on constant, high-bandwidth data streams, the ability to handle such demands more efficiently would be invaluable. While the full rollout of these capabilities is still a few years away, the potential impact on data-intensive IoT ecosystems is worth watching closely.
AI and Dynamic Network Management
Beyond physical layer enhancements, Wi-Fi 8 is expected to leverage AI and machine learning to improve network management and optimize connectivity. Here’s a glimpse into what might lie ahead:
1. AI-Powered Spectrum and Bandwidth Management
Wi-Fi 8 is expected to introduce machine learning to manage bandwidth and spectrum more intelligently. Rather than just responding to network demands, Wi-Fi 8 could predict them and allocate resources in real time, ensuring devices get the bandwidth they need, exactly when they need it.
For IoT systems with thousands of connected devices, this dynamic, AI-driven approach could address many of the congestion issues that challenge current networks. From prioritizing critical industrial control signals to ensuring low-latency communication for autonomous vehicles, smarter bandwidth management has the potential to enable seamless connectivity, even in the most complex IoT environments.
2. AI-Enhanced Beamforming
AI-enhanced beamforming is another promising feature expected in Wi-Fi 8. Unlike traditional beamforming, which relies on static positioning, this technology could use AI algorithms to predict device movement and proactively adjust signal patterns. This would make Wi-Fi 8 far more effective in environments where devices are constantly on the move.
This upgrade would be a major advantage for mobile IoT devices, such as drones, autonomous robots, and wearables. For instance, in dynamic environments like factories or warehouses, IoT devices moving across large areas could stay connected without dropping packets or experiencing delays.
While we can only speculate on how this feature will be implemented, the promise of a more adaptive network that anticipates needs is a promising step forward for mobile IoT applications.
The Constant Cycle of Wi-Fi Upgrades: Let embedUR Handle the Heavy Lifting
In the Wi-Fi industry, change isn’t optional—it’s inevitable. As Wi-Fi 7 rapidly becomes the standard, manufacturers must not only catch up with the current demand but also prepare for the leap to Wi-Fi 8. This cycle, which includes revamping portfolios, integrating new chipsets, reworking firmware, and ensuring backward compatibility, is both resource-intensive and time-sensitive.
For manufacturers, the challenge is the same every few years: how to update their entire product line without pulling engineers away from groundbreaking innovations. With all your top talent focused on the next generation of technology, who takes care of the maintenance work? Who ensures your access points, routers, and IoT devices remain competitive without derailing your development roadmap?
That’s where embedUR steps in. We are experts in taking the burden of these upgrades off your team. Whether it’s revving your product line, incorporating the latest chipsets, or ensuring compliance with emerging standards, we handle it all. Our expertise in sustaining engineering allows you to offload the repetitive but essential tasks of portfolio updates so your engineers can focus on the projects that drive real innovation.
Every new Wi-Fi standard brings new opportunities, but only if you’re ready. The market is already moving to Wi-Fi 7, so don’t get left behind. And when Wi-Fi 8 arrives, the cycle will begin again. With embedUR as your partner, you can trust that your products will stay ahead of the curve, year after year, standard after standard. So what are you waiting for?
Did you enjoy the topic? Catch an even more exciting read here about the Non-Data Transmission Uses of Wi-Fi!
