Wi-Fi 7: The new era of wireless network technology

Basics Wi-Fi 7: Next level of industrial connectivity

2024-08-02 From | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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Wi-Fi 7, the latest advancement in wireless network technology, is also set to enhance industrial connectivity. What is the technical background? And what does the new standard bring for WLAN connections?

Wi-Fi 7 is the next evolutionary stage of the WLAN standard and is expected to offer more speed, capacity, and efficiency compared to its predecessors.(Image: Smile Studio AP - stock.adobe.com) — Wi-Fi 7 is the next evolutionary stage of the WLAN standard and is expected to offer more speed, capacity, and efficiency compared to its predecessors.
(Image: Smile Studio AP - stock.adobe.com)

Although there are differences: In German language usage, the terms WLAN and Wi-Fi are often used synonymously. That's not fundamentally wrong. Because in an international context, the term Wireless Local Area Network, or WLAN, is simply not so common. Here, people talk about Wi-Fi. The abbreviation stands for Wireless Fidelity.

To be precise, the latter refers more to a company consortium or a brand name. The former is the so-called Wi-Fi Alliance, which certifies WLAN devices. The brand name is used for WLAN devices and networks that are based on corresponding industry standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

What is Wi-Fi 7 and how does it differ from previous Wi-Fi standards?

Wi-Fi 7 is thus the next generation of the WLAN standard, following on from Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax). With data transfer rates of up to 30 Gbps, it promises significant improvements in speed, capacity, and efficiency compared to its predecessors. It is based on the IEEE standard 802.11be.

Behind this are techniques such as Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), Multi-User Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (MU-OFDMA). However, both of these are already known from Wi-Fi 6. The new standard also operates over the three frequency bands 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz.

New, for example, is a technique called Multi Link Operation (MLO). This makes it possible for a device to use multiple frequency bands simultaneously. Channels that allow transmissions with 320 MHz provide the higher speed.

If a large resource unit is required due to throughput requirements, this large bandwidth may not be available across the entire channel bandwidth. This is where the principle of the Multi Resource Unit (MRU) comes into play. With a concept comparable to MLO, but on the same channel, two resource units—contiguous or non-contiguous—can be aggregated for a single user. This is how you achieve the necessary throughput.

MLO and MRU are supported by the accelerated Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. With 4K QAM, each signal can contain a larger amount of data, compared to 1K QAM under Wi-Fi 6E, the current standard Wi-Fi.

What are the main features and improvements of Wi-Fi 7?

The WLAN connections working with the new standard show some changes compared to the 6-Ghz band of Wi-Fi 6. Not only industrial applications benefit from the transmission rate with more gigabits per second. In the private sector, it is useful for example in online gaming or the connection of smart home devices. Here are the key features and improvements summarized at a glance:

Higher data rates: The new standard is expected to achieve data rates of up to 30 Gbit/s. This makes it predestined for bandwidth-intensive industrial applications.
Increased capacity: The use of MU-MIMO and OFDMA allows the simultaneous use of multiple connections and devices. This optimizes network efficiency in crowded industrial environments.
Lower latency times: Wi-Fi 7 also reduces latency times. This favors faster response times in time-critical industrial processes.
Greater reliability: Thanks to techniques such as spatial frequency reuse, reliability also benefits in Wi-Fi 7 networks. Corresponding networks are characterized by fewer packet losses and signal interference.

Wi-Fi 7: What about interference and reliability in industrial environments?

Wi-Fi 7 uses advanced techniques like spatial frequency reuse and beamforming. This is intended to reduce interference on one hand. On the other hand, both can improve signal reliability in industrial environments. These technologies ensure a more efficient use of the wireless spectrum. And also better adaptability to changing environmental conditions becomes possible.

How can industrial applications benefit from Wi-Fi 7?

Based on the technical specifications, Wi-Fi 7 offers several advantages for industrial applications. This includes increased productivity. Faster and more reliable wireless connectivity enables real-time monitoring, control, and optimization of industrial processes.

Also, corresponding networks offer comparatively more flexibility. Wi-Fi 7 supports mobility within industrial facilities, so that employees can access important data and applications from anywhere on the premises. Especially here, the higher reliability is a decisive factor.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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The increase in capacity and efficiency is also ideal for IoT devices. More and more devices, which are used in industrial automation and monitoring applications, are to communicate with each other via the Internet of Things. Wi-Fi 7 creates the conditions for this.

Thus, Wi-Fi 7 provides the high-speed and low-latency connectivity required for applications of Industry 4.0 or IoT. This pays off when integrating sensors, actuators and other IoT devices into industrial processes. After all, it facilitates the collection and analysis of large amounts of data. And applications such as predictive maintenance, working with VR glasses, or asset tracking also benefit from the advantages.

How can industrial companies prepare for the transition to Wi-Fi 7?

At the CES 2024 trade fair, the Wi-Fi Alliance officially launched the new WLAN standard. Industrial companies can prepare for the transition to Wi-Fi 7 by having those responsible first assess the current network infrastructure. In this process, areas for improvement or upgrading need to be identified.

It is also advisable to plan for possible interruptions during the transition phase. This also involves implementing measures to minimize downtime. And of course, it also requires compatible hardware, i.e., both routers and access points that support the new technology.

People should not be forgotten amidst all the technology. Where it seems sensible, investments in training and education of staff could be worthwhile. Moreover, it can be advantageous to already discuss cooperations with technology providers and service providers in order to develop tailor-made solutions for one's own use cases.