Preparing for Wi-Fi 6E: Cabling Considerations for High Efficiency Access Point Connections

A new wave of Wi-Fi is here! The IEEE 802.11ax Enhancements for High Efficiency Wireless (HEW) LAN amendment1 has far reaching implications with respect to cabling infrastructure design. Users can expect their current wireless speeds to appreciably increase by switching to Wi-Fi 6E gear with greater than 5 Gb/s data rate capability. Plus, 1024-QAM modulation, 160 MHz channel , and a maximum of eight spatial streams can theoretically deliver 9.61 Gb/s in the future! Now more than ever, the specification of high performance cabling supporting access layer switches and uplink connections is critical to achieving multi-Gigabit throughput and fully supporting the capacity of sixth generation wireless access points.

www.siemon.com 1 www.siemon.com compliant connecting compliant connecting 2 /category 6A or higher performing performing /category 6A or higher A , to eliminate common installation installation common eliminate to , ® Siemon’s shielded category 6A and category 7A cablesSiemon’s shielded category 6A and category and stable thermally more are systems Shielded are qualified for mechanical reliability up to 75°C up to 75°C are qualified for mechanical reliability Type 2 PoE (167°F), which enables support of the application over the entire operating temperature range of -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F). support longer channel lengths when deployed in high temperature environments and larger number of shielded cables may be bundled without concern for excessive heat build-up within the bundle. - - Specifying IEC 60512-99-001 Installing category 6A field-terminatable plugs, such as as such plugs, field-terminatable 6A category Installing to remotely powerRecognizing that deploying Type 2 PoE Providing two class E Providing two class 25 Gb/s capable multimode optical Installing a minimum cabling architecture to zone grid-based a Utilizing better thermal Using solid conductor cords, which exhibit hardware ensures that contact seating surfaces are not hardware ensures that contact seating surfaces are not damaged when plugs and jacks are unmated under Wi-Fi remote powering current loads. cords, for equipment connections in the ceiling or in the ceiling or in cords, for equipment connections in beto are likely temperatures higher where spaces plenum encountered. PLUG Z Siemon’s cordsconcerns associated with the use of pre-terminated at the equipment end of the installed channel. heat to build uptoday’s wireless access points can cause in cable bundles. horizontal cabling drops to each wireless access point. horizontal cabling drops increased Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6Efiber backbone to support uplink capacity. WAP deployments, which allows accommodate additional of coverage areas and provides for rapid reconfiguration redundant and future-proof connections. conductorstability and lower insertion loss than stranded • • • • • Cabling Implications Cabling that to follow to ensure design strategies Key cabling 6 and ready to support Wi-Fi cabling uplinks are structured devices include: Wi-Fi 6E wireless • • • •

are: ® Wi-Fi 6E: 802.11ax (2020) supporting 6 GHz transmission Wi-Fi 6E: 802.11ax (2020) supporting 6 GHz Wi-Fi 2: 802.11a (1999) Wi-Fi 3: 802.11g (2003) Wi-Fi 4: 802.11n (2009) Wi-Fi 5: 802.11ac (2014) Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax (2020) Wi-Fi 1: 802.11b (1999) and reducing latency, but only if the cabling and equipment connections can support the additional bandwidth required. definition (Ultra HD) video and multimedia, combined with limits on cellular data plans that encourage users to “off- load” to Wi-Fi, drive rapid adoption of higher speed Wi-Fi solutions. As Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E become the access media of choice, faster wired to server uplinks will play an important role in minimizing bottlenecks and congestion even when obstructions are present, will also significantlyeven when obstructions are present, will increase. The ever-growing number of mobile devices used for evolution the and applications business critical mission of information content from text to streaming ultra high- Wi-Fi 6E isn’t a new wireless protocol; rather, it’s an rather, it’s an Wi-Fi 6E isn’t a new wireless protocol; 6 Wi-Fi of implementation wave” “second or expansion frequency band.technology into a new and much wider because thereThis enhanced capability will reduce latency for bandwidth inaren’t any existing Wi-Fi devices competing speeds,the newly opened spectrum. Likewise, transmission • IEEE for Wi-Fi Alliance’s terminology the Wi-Fi 6E is in addition to802.11ax devices capable of 6 GHz operation already used byoperation in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectra point here is thatWi-Fi 6 devices for transmission. The key • • • • • were identified by letters and numbers, such as “802.11ac”were identified by letters to a specific IEEE 802.11or “a/b/g/n”, that corresponded The simplified references wireless amendment. Wi-Fi Alliance now promoted by the • What’s in a name? and other devicesWi-Fi access points, routers, past, the In

Wi-Fi 802.11ax 2 Wi-Fi 802.11ax 3

Data 0110 0000 0001 0011 0010 1000 1001 1001 1010 1100 1101 1111 1110 0100 0101 0111 45° 22° 45° 68° 337° 135° 112° 135° 158° 225° 202° 225° 248° 315° 292° 315° Phase 75% 25% 75% 75% 75% 25% 75% 75% 75% 25% 75% 75% 75% 25% 75% 75% Amplitude information per constellation point. Quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) is an analog and and (QAM) is an analog amplitude modulation Quadrature for digital is used extensively scheme that digital modulation a four Using this scheme, systems. telecommunications points is of symbol or “constellation” quadrant arrangement point representing a short string of established with each Sinusoidal carrier waves that are phasebits (e.g. 0’s or 1’s). are modulated using amplitude-shiftshifted by 90 degrees modulation or amplitude modulation keying (ASK) digital schemes and are used to transmit(AM) analog modulation Figure 1 depicts a rudimentary the constellation symbols. demonstration for constellation 16-QAM of a example there are four points in each quadrantpurposes. Note that and each point equates to fourof the 16-QAM constellation from 0000 to 1111. By comparison,information bits, ranging bits of information the Wi-Fi 4 64-QAM scheme carries 6 scheme carriesper constellation point, the Wi-Fi 5 256 QAM Wi-Fi 6/ the and point, per constellation of information bits 8 amazing 10 bits ofWi-Fi 6E 1024-QAM scheme carries an

I 1 11 10 111 000 00 01 75% 0% Phase˚ 0 10 10 00 10 000 00 01 25%5 Figure 1: Example 16-QAM Constellation and Correlation Symbol Bit Information 00 00 01 00 10 10 11 111 01 11 11 1111 10 1010 www.siemon.com transmission are the key technology enablers that supporttransmission are the key technology enablers while ensuringfaster Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E transmission rates backward compatibility with older Wi-Fi technology. an orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA)an orthogonal frequency-division divided be to bandwidth allows which scheme, signal uplinkaccording to the needs of the client, and synchronized and one receive is called a spatial stream and theand one receive antenna of feature a is streams spatial multiple support to ability 6, and Wi-Fi 6E. Higher order modulation,Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi receive antennas to improve communication and minimize minimize and improve communication to receive antennas multiple as multiple input, (often referred to interference signal associated with one transmit output or MIMO). The communication algorithms. For example, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6Ecommunication algorithms. utilizes the techniques of beamformingwireless transmission and transmitting over multiple send andto concentrate signals in dense deployment environments compared to previous previous compared to environments in dense deployment This enhanced throughput Wi-Fi systems. generation Wi-Fi of existing and proven by an evolution is facilitated A Technology Evolution A Technology faster average throughput at least four times Wi-Fi 6E has and 4 www.siemon.com Figure 2: Example Grid-Based WAP Zone Cabling Deployment Design for additional design and installation guidelines describing a grid-based cabling approach that maximizes and installation guidelines describing for additional design 5 , are recommended for all equipment connections in high temperature environments. Refer to ANSI/BICSI 007 environments. Refer to ANSI/BICSI for all equipment connections in high temperature , are recommended 3 wireless transmission. For example, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E technology allows radio transmission over either four or eightwireless transmission. For example, Wi-Fi throughput of 600.5 Mb/s and 1201 Mb/s, respectively. The limited numberbonded 20 MHz channels supporting maximum channels in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, however, makes realizationof non-overlapping 20 MHz and 40 MHz transmit frequencies. While 80 MHz and 160 MHz transmission channels haveof maximum throughput challenging at these data speeds, in practice, wider channels are rarely deployed because of limitedhistorically been permitted to allow for higher and two 160 MHz channels are available in the 5 GHz band and, it can be difficultavailability. Specifically, only six 80 MHz from interference in dense or large enterprises environments. to find wide channels in this spectrum free TIA TSB-162-B reconfiguration flexibility. WAP placement and Speed The Implications of the “pipe” or “highway” for typically aggregated to create are wide 20 MHz or 40 MHz Transmission channels that are of future WAPs and enable rapid reconfiguration of coverage areas can save headaches later. coverage areas can reconfiguration of and enable rapid of future WAPs (SCPs) points concentration service house that enclosures utilizing approach zone cabling depicts a recommended Figure 2 addition,In pattern. grid a in positioned are that (SOs) outlets service to connections facilitate to capacity port spare with to be encountered, where higher temperatures are likely are located in the ceiling or in plenum spaces because most WAPs conductor stranded than loss insertion lower and stability thermal better exhibit which cords, conductor solid of use the cords Unlike Wi-Fi 5 devices that transmit exclusively in the 5 GHz spectrum, Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E devices benefit from operation benefit 6E devices Wi-Fi and 6 Wi-Fi spectrum, GHz the 5 in exclusively transmit that devices Wi-Fi 5 Unlike This GHz band. in the 6 of operation capable additionally are 6E devices Plus, Wi-Fi GHz bands. GHz and 5 the 2.4 in both radio available non-overlapping there are more 6 GHz spectrum where achievable in the transmission rates balances higher GHz band transmit in the 2.4 with opportunities to for interference and less potential fewer devices operating, channels, be better materials) may to pass through building range and the ability (e.g., propagation characteristics where superior the addition can accommodate infrastructure that a flexible cabling applications. Designing (Internet of Things) suited for IoT

Wi-Fi 802.11ax 4 Wi-Fi 802.11ax The problem of limited wide channel availability disappears as countries adopt legislation to open 1,200 MHz of spectrum in the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use. Opening this portion of the spectrum increases the total spectrum available to a Wi-Fi 6E device by a factor of roughly five times. This is enough spectrum to offer seven additional completely non-overlapping 160 MHz wide channels or fourteen non overlapping 80 MHz wide channels. In addition, Wi-Fi 6E can accommodate up to eight antennas and their associated spatial streams for an unprecedented maximum theoretical data speed of 9.61 Gb/s! Note that, unlike full duplex balanced twisted-pair BASE-T Ethernet transmission where throughput is fixed in both the transmit and receive orientations, the speed specified for wireless applications represents the sum of upstream and downstream traffic combined. Figure 3 summarizes the key capability differences between Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6/6E technologies.

Wi-Fi 4 Wi-Fi 5 Wi-Fi 6/6E

Transmit Frequency 2.4 or 5 GHz 5 GHz only 2.4, 5, or 6 GHz

Channel Bandwidth 20 or 40 MHz 20, 40, 80 or 160 MHz 20, 40, 80 or 160 MHz

Modulation 64-QAM 256-QAM 1024-QAM

Maximum Number of Spatial Streams 4 8 8

Theoretical Maximum Data Rate per 144 Mb/s 866 Mb/s 1.201 Gb/s Stream

Theoretical Maximum Data Rate 576 Mb/s 6.93 Gb/s 9.61 Gb/s

Figure 3: Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6/6E Technology Comparison

Channel Number of Maximum Speed Target Device or Bandwidth Spatial Streams Wi-Fi 5 Wi-Fi 6/6E Application First Wave Products Dual-band smart phone, 80 MHz 1 433 Mb/s 540 Mb/s VoIP handset, or tablet High-end laptop/ digital cin- 80 MHz 3 1.3 Gb/s 1.6 Gb/s ematography Second Wave Products 80 MHz 2 867 Mb/s 1.1 Gb/s Netbook/low-end laptop High-end laptop/digital 160 MHz 3 2.6 Gb/s 3.6 Gb/s cinematography Possible Future Implementations Outdoor or low coverage 160 MHz 4 3.5 Gb/s 4.8 Gb/s areas 160 MHz 8 n/a 9.61 Gb/s Specialized

Figure 4: Example Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6/6E Implementation Configurations

Because of the variables of channel bandwidth, number of spatial streams, and multi-user signaling mechanisms, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E implementations are highly configurable. In general, the lower end of the throughput range is targeted for small handheld devices with limited battery capacity such as smart phones, the middle of the throughput range is targeted towards laptops, and the highest end of the throughput range is targeted at specialized and outdoor applications where there is less device density compared with indoors. Figure 4 provides maximum theoretical speeds for first and second wave Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and second wave Wi-Fi 6E implementations with their target end devices.

Wi-Fi 6E devices make use of multi-antenna beamforming, more efficient spatial utilization, and other strategies to improve throughput and long-range operation. The bottom line is that end-users can reasonably expect four times faster performance in dense environments and similar or slightly improved power consumption upon making the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6E gear. www.siemon.com 5 and create 8 www.siemon.com , specifically recommend deploying two 7 and contact arcing can cause irreversible damage to and contact arcing can cause irreversible damage to ofselection proper the Fortunately, connectors. and cable network cabling can eliminate these risks. Today, multiple telecommunications Standards, includingToday, multiple telecommunications Standards, ANSI/TIA-568.1-E WAP. category 6A or higher cabling runs to each Power Consumption or equally are chips radio 6E Wi-Fi and 6 Wi-Fi Although chips, they aremore efficient than prior generation wireless processing and doing significantly more complex signal these devices isthe amount of power required to energize In fact, due tohigher than for any previous implementation. WAPs are unablecomplexity, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E 1 Power over to work within the 13-watt budget of Type by either a directEthernet (PoE) and must be supported power. remote PoE 2 Type 30-watt or adapter power DC While safe for humans, Type 2 PoE remote power delivery, at an applied current of 600mA per pair, can produce up to 10°C (22°F) temperature rise in cable bundles contacts. connector damage can that arcing electrical bit cause to potential the has bundles within rise Heat errors because insertion loss is directly proportional to temperature. In extreme environments, temperature rise to support real world speeds of 20 Gb/s (see Figure 5). (see Figure 5). to support real world speeds of 20 Gb/s

/ A Figure 5: The Evolution of Enterprise Wi-Fi . Proliferation of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E 6 depicts two horizontal channels serving each WAP). Link foreseeable is connections 10GBASE-T of two aggregation in the future as developing Wi-Fi 7 technology is anticipated data rate capability has serious implications related to data rate capability has serious implications related to wired media selection for router to server and other uplink connections. As Wi-Fi technology matures to support greater than 5 Gb/s, two 2.5/5GBASE-T connections will be required to support each Wi-Fi 6E WAP in a deployment strategy known as link aggregation (refer to Figure 2, which category 6A and higher rated cabling is guaranteed to to rated cabling is guaranteed category 6A and higher support 2.5/5GBASE-T over all installation environments and channel topologies up to 100 m. wirelessrealize greater than 5 Gb/s the ability to addition, In router and the server exceedingclients will certainly result in data rates regularly can reduce1 Gb/s. 2.5GBASE T and 5GBASE-T switches Ethernet or eliminate the concern that one 1000BASE-T transmission.wired uplink port will be a bottleneck to data only class E However, it’s important to keep in mind that by the number of clients, protocol overhead, and the and the by the number of clients, protocol overhead, from the access spatial distribution of end-user devices data transferpoint. In some cases, even Wi-Fi 5 wireless copper rates are fast enough to saturate a 1000BASE-T the between provided link cabling twisted-pair balanced The Wired Infrastructure important to keepWhen comparing Wi-Fi capabilities, it’s rate is impactedin mind that the maximum realizable data

Wi-Fi 802.11ax 6 Wi-Fi 802.11ax Additional Infrastructure Design Considerations or coverage radius decreased if the zone enclosure is also providing service to intelligent building devices and Existing wireless access devices, client devices and the telecommunications outlets (TOs). Backbone cabling should back end network and cabling infrastructure may need to be a minimum design of 25 Gb/s capable multimode optical be up- graded in order to fully support today’s Wi-Fi devices fiber media to support Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E uplink capacity. that require Type 2 power delivery. Under all circumstances, the service outlets, patch panels, and other connecting WAP deployments may be further simplified by utilizing hardware used in the channel should comply with IEC a category 6A field-terminatable plug, such as Siemon’s 60512-99-001 to ensure that critical contact seating surfaces Z-PLUG®, at the equipment end of the installed channel. This are not damaged when plugs and jacks are unmated under approach eliminates the need to estimate the exact distance Type 2 remote powering current loads. In addition, the use of of cordage required, stock custom-length patch cords, Siemon shielded category 6A and category 7A cables, which source plenum cords, and address the problem of excessive support longer channel lengths (i.e., less length de-rating is cord tension or slack at the WAP. While field-terminatable required at elevated temperatures to satisfy TIA and ISO/IEC plugs may be used in modular plug terminated link (MPTL) insertion loss requirements) and are qualified for mechanical configurations, Siemon recommends minimum 2-connector reliability up to 75°C (167°F), are recommended for channel topologies to facilitate adds, moves, and changes, Type 2 PoE remote powering applications in locations field testing, and labeling. having an ambient temperature greater than 20°C (68°F). Furthermore, larger numbers of shielded cables may be Conclusion bundled without concern for excessive heat build-up within the bundle. An evolution in technology forces consumers to stop and question legacy views about broadly deployed operating Designing a cabling infrastructure to robustly support platforms or systems. Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are dually disruptive Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E deployment requires consideration of in that they require both greater than 5 Gb/s capacity and the switch, server, and device connection speeds commonly Type 2 remote powering for optimum performance – swiftly available today as well as strategies to support redundancy, making the wait-and-see stance concerning 10GBASE-T equipment upgrades, and future wireless technologies. A grid- adoption in support of LAN applications a position of the past. 9 based class EA/category 6A zone cabling approach using A properly designed and deployed zone cabling architecture service concentration points housed in zone enclosures is an utilizing thermally stable shielded class EA/category 6A ideal way to provide sufficient spare port density to support or higher cabling products engineered to withstand the 2.5/5GBASE-T link aggregation at each WAP as necessary, maximum TIA and ISO/IEC ambient temperature of 60°C while also allowing for more efficient port utilization when (140°F) plus the associated heat rise generated by 600mA 10GBASE-T equipment connections become available. Zone Type 2 PoE current loads will ensure that your cabling cabling is highly flexible and enables rapid reconfiguration of infrastructure is an enabler for Wi-Fi 6E and future wireless coverage areas and conveniently provides additional capacity applications. to accommodate next generation technology, which may require 10GBASE-T link aggregation. Additional WAPs can be easily incorporated into the to enhance coverage with minimal disruption when spare connection points in a zone cabling system are available.

Siemon recommends that each zone enclosure support a coverage radius of 13m (42 ft) with 24-port pre-cabled consolidation points available to facilitate plug and play device connectivity. For planning purposes, an initial spare port capacity of 50% (i.e., 12 ports unallocated) is recommended. Spare port availability may need to be increased and/ www.siemon.com 7 WP_WiFi_F 5/20 WP_WiFi_F - India, East Middle & Africa 4 3689743 P: (971) China P: (86)215385 0303 Europe P: (44) 0 1932 571771 Latin America 657 1950/51/52 P: (571) Asia Pacific 2 8977 7500 P: (61) ANSI/BICSI 007, “Information Communication Technology Design and Implementation Practices for Intelligent Buildings andImplementation Practices Technology Design and Communication 007, “Information ANSI/BICSI Premises”, 2017 Siemon white paper, “IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus Operating Efficiency: How to Keep a Hot Application Running Cool”, 2010 Siemon white paper, “IEEE 802.3at PoE Plus Area Planning Guide”, 2015 Siemon white paper, “Zone Cabling and Coverage Siemon white paper, “Advantages of Using Siemon Shielded Cabling Systems to Power Remote Network Devices”, 2013 Systems to Power Remote Network “Advantages of Using Siemon Shielded Cabling Siemon white paper,  Access Points”, 2020 Cabling Guidelines for Wireless TIA TSB-162-B, “Telecommunications Know about 802.11ac”, 2013 APC, “Five Things to Infrastructure Standard”, 2020 ANSI/TIA-568.1-E, “Commercial Building Telecommunications tems Local and Metropolitan Area Networks -- Specific Requirements Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Access Control 11: Wireless LAN Medium Requirements Part Networks -- Specific and Metropolitan Area tems Local for High Efficiency Wireless LAN ”, 2020 Specifications -- Amendment: Enhancements Physical Layer (PHY) Schedule for Engaging and Measurements – Part 99-001: Test for Electronic Equipment – Tests IEC 60512-99-001, “Connectors Cabling with Connectors Used in Twisted Pair Communication Under Electrical Load – Test 99A: and Separating Connectors Remote Power”, 2012 Footnotes:  Between Sys Exchange and Information Technology - Telecommunications for Information “IEEE Standard IEEE Std 802.11ax™, 2 1 9 4 5 6 7 3 8 Because we continuously improve our products, Siemon reserves the right to change specifications and availability without prior notice. availability change and the right specifications Siemon reserves to our products, improve continuously Because we www.siemon.com North America 860 945 4200 P: (1) Siemon Interconnect Solutions 860 945 4213 P: (1) www.siemon.com/SIS

WI-FI 802.11ax