Something New: AP Discovery Methods for 6GHz Wi-Fi – Part 2

Part 2 of the 4-part Wi-Fi 6E Series

In Part 1 (Something Old) we checked out primary modifications to the bodily layer offered by wave 1 of 801.11ax, how these modifications can have an effect on efficiency, and the way OFDMA allows the optimum use of the 6GHz spectrum. In this second article, we’ll discover “something new:” the challenges of discovery in 6GHz, new strategies used for fixing this, and the way these new strategies open 6GHz for a lot of totally different use circumstances.

Is There Anybody Out There?

In earlier generations, Wi-Fi shoppers would scan channels and ship unsolicited probe requests to find entry factors (APs). Scanning channels could be a well timed course of as beacons are solely broadcast each 1024us so the consumer should dwell lengthy sufficient to detect the beacon.  At 6GHz that is 1024us x 59 channels (there are 59 20MHz channels within the new 6GHz spectrum) which is over 6 seconds.  For the consumer, this loss in time represents a disruption in communication. Creating insupportable latency in voice and misplaced alternative to a whole lot of megabytes of information each time the consumer decides to scan. Furthermore, the earlier course of can be to ship unsolicited probe requests (wildcard requests) to see how APs would reply. Now, keep in mind, that is all a contention-based medium, so these probe requests and responses on each channel for each consumer create a big quantity of interference and on the very least, inefficient use of the spectrum.

Over the years the IEEE has launched measures to deal with these roaming challenges. 802.11k was launched to offer shoppers with a listing of neighboring APs, 802.11v was launched to offer a really useful AP candidate, and 802.11r was launched to scale back the roaming time for 802.1x shoppers. Not all shoppers and infrastructure assist these measures so whereas they helped, they didn’t remove the necessity for shoppers to ship unsolicited probes.

While these IEEE updates are nonetheless accessible for 6GHz, the technique for AP discovery essentially modifications. To begin with, unsolicited probe requests are now not allowed (with one restricted exception we’ll talk about shortly).

Three New Methods to Improve AP Discovery

Since we’ve already established scanning channels at 6GHz will not be allowed, there are three new strategies launched in Wi-Fi 6E for locating AP candidates.

The main technique (and the one which shoppers sometimes reply to greatest) is known as Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR). Since most, if not all, shoppers could have legacy band functionality, there may be an Information Element (IE) embedded within the legacy band beacons that listing the 6GHz SSID(s) which can be accessible on the serving AP. The consumer first scans the 5GHz or 2.4GHz channels and appears for this RNR ingredient.  The RNR report incorporates details about the 6GHz channel, SSID, BSSID, a bit of knowledge on the AP, and the allowed energy ranges (Power Spectral Density). This successfully makes the two.4GHz and 5GHz channels a management channel for the 6GHz.  Clients can then ship a directed probe request to these channels which can be realized within the RNR to find out which 6GHz AP to hitch.  It is essential to notice there will be a number of 6GHz SSIDs included within the RNR and they don’t have to match the legacy SSIDs.

The data contained in an RNR is similar to the knowledge offered within the beforehand launched 802.11v [1]motion body. The RNR beneath is from a 5GHz beacon and is promoting two SSIDs on the 6GHz channel quantity 5.  The legacy 802.11v motion report beneath reveals related data to the RNR however the elementary distinction is twofold:

• This is an motion body not a part of the beacon just like the RNR. It is a request-response kind transaction. An RNR is broadcast within the legacy band beacons.
• The data within the 802.11v motion body incorporates details about different APs on the identical frequency band. The RNR solely lists SSIDs broadcasted from the 6GHz band (totally different frequency band) as this identical AP.

What if the AP is simply broadcasting 6GHz? This is an unlikely situation, however nonetheless a possible one.  First, scanning will be diminished by limiting the variety of channels to be scanned.  This is known as Preferred Scanning Channels (PSC). The PSCs are the first channels (20MHz subchannel) of the 80MHz channels.  This works properly since 80MHz will usually be the popular bandwidth to function for causes beforehand mentioned partially 1 of this weblog sequence.  If nevertheless, decrease bandwidth channels are used with out RNR or further assist from the strategies beneath, it will be very straightforward for a consumer to overlook this channel which must be a consideration when utilizing PSC with narrower band channels.

There are two mutually unique choices to additional improve the AP discovery through which the AP will broadcast messages an extra 4 occasions between the beacons or about each 20ms (configurable from 5ms to 25ms). The first technique is known as Fast Initial Link Setup (FILS) and is predicated on a earlier normal of 802.11ai.  This is a really light-weight message (someplace round 100 bytes as in comparison with a beacon which is 500+ bytes).  The second technique is known as “Broadcast Probe Response” or “Unsolicited Probe Response” (UPR).  Like FILS, this commercial might be broadcast at the next price than the beacon.  However, the UPR broadcasts all the pieces within the probe response so whereas it provides the consumer with extra data, it’s a bit heavier within the quantity of information transmitted repeatedly.

Teamwork Makes the Discovery Dream Work

So how do these 4 strategies work collectively? First, if there are legacy band SSIDs transmitted on the AP the expectation is that the RNR will do the work of discovering the 6GHz channel, and no different technique is required.  In the case the place solely 6GHz is broadcast from the AP the most definitely state of affairs can be using PSC with both FILS or UPR.  Notice UPR and FILS are unique choices, you’ll be able to solely use one or the opposite. Early testing of consumer gadgets has seen some points with 6GHz standalone APs not being found with solely PSC and it’s wanted to have FILS (or UPR) enabled to help a consumer in discovering the AP.  This might change over time however for the early implementations, deploying 6GHz with solely 80MHz channels and PSC enabled is an efficient choice.  This permits the first channel to match the PSC channels. In addition, enabling FILS can present additional help for discovery with minimal impression on efficiency.

In Part 3 “Something Borrowed” we’re going to take a deeper look into the channel construction of 6 GHz, what it has in widespread with legacy bands, what has modified, and what to be careful for.

[1] 802.11v which was outdated by the roll up of 802.11-2012

[2] IEEE P802.11ax™/D8.0 pp 26.17.2.3.3

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