While we wait for 802.11n gigabit WiFi is in the works

Sure, the 802.11n standard isn’t done yet, but that’s old technology for a small group of engineers driven by the need for speed. If gigabit without a wire is possible on the near time horizon, fixed line service will have to compete by offering more. While it’s purely a “pipe dream” today, it could pave the way for a wireless Third Pipe.

A working group is preparing to propose what may eventually be known as IEEE 802.11 VHT (Very High Throughput), in what some call the successor to 802.11n. Two working groups each are suggesting proposals to push throughput in excess of one gigabit per second, roughly ten times that of the 802.11n specification.

At this point, the IEEE has yet to formally approve what’s known as a PAR, or a Project Approval Request, the first step on the road to an IEEE standard. However, that approval is expected. The proposed technology has also not yet been blessed by the Wi-Fi Alliance, which governs the technology.

On the other hand, much of the group’s work has been in cooperation with the Alliance, including plans to use the technology in wireless display technologies for HDTV, fast file transfer, and campus deployments, among others.

If approved, the increase in data rates would be dramatic, at least by today’s standards. The 802.11n standard calls for bandwidth on the order of 600 Mbits/s; today, so-called “pre-n” devices offer roughly 300 Mbits/s. But actual throughput can be much less, or only about 100 Mbits/s, after overhead and other traffic. The 802.11 VHT proposals call for throughput of at least a gigabit per second, which could place actual data rates many times higher. Interestingly, none of the PAR documents mention the estimated range for the wireless link. (Extreme Tech)