Next Generation Wi-Fi: 802.11n

Chipsets, Technologies, and Market Drivers

This study describes the emergence of the next evolution of Wi-Fi technology known as 802.11n. Consumers worldwide have become accustomed to wireless connectivity in their homes, businesses and enterprises due to the pervasiveness of the 802.11g and wireless LAN standards. Now they want to be able to extend the range of wireless connectivity, and increase the performance for such fields as multimedia and video distribution.

The report starts by describing the early challenges for the 11n standard in the IEEE standards bodies, and its recent emergence as a Draft 1.0 specification. It explains the initiatives of the Enhanced Wireless Consortium and the next steps to evolve the draft to a final ratified standard in 2007. It examines some of the optional features in the current draft and how those options could allow innovation and product differentiation, but also preempt interoperability if not implemented carefully. The study explains some of the salient technology features of 11n such as MIMO, beam steering and error-correction coding which allow for enhanced wireless performance, and it looks at existing MIMO solutions already deployed in the field. Finally the research describes the different market segments for 11n, such as data networking, consumer electronics and VoIP handsets, and forecasts the size of these markets to 2010.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • What is the status of 802.11n?
  • Why does the industry want 11n and what market segments will it serve?
  • Why can't these services be offered over the existing 11g and 11b WLAN standards?
  • What is happening with regards to 11n in the IEEE standardization process?
  • What are the options in the 11n standard, and how will vendors employ those options?
  • Will vendor's early solutions be upgradeable to the final standard or will they require new chip designs?
  • How do the requirements of the data networking field differ from those of consumer electronics and cellular handsets?
  • Who are the main players in the 11n field?
  • How many chipset solutions are there for 11n and what are the differences between them?
  • What is the market size opportunity in terms of ASPs and revenue for 11n chipsets?

Who Needs This Report?

  • WiFi semiconductor vendors
  • WiFi equipment manufacturers
  • Handset vendors
  • Consumer electronics vendors
  • ASIC, DSP, and FPGA vendors in RF and Baseband Design
  • Software providers
  • Applications and content providers