Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be)

The demands placed on wireless networks are growing rapidly. Applications such as cloud computing, industrial automation, smart energy systems, the Internet of Things (IoT) and augmented and virtual reality, as well as high-resolution video streams, are placing ever-increasing demands on bandwidth, reliability and latency. This is precisely the area in which Wi-Fi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be or Extremely High Throughput (EHT), comes into its own.

Wi-Fi 7 is much more than just an evolution of existing WLAN standards. It represents a significant technological advancement. With data rates of up to 46 Gbit/s, a channel bandwidth of 320 MHz, 4096-QAM modulation and innovative features such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Wi-Fi 7 offers performance that is up to 4.8 times faster than Wi-Fi 6. This makes wireless connectivity a genuine alternative to high-performance wired networks for the first time.

As a Switzerland-based technology partner, INOVIS is closely monitoring these developments to ensure its portfolio always keeps pace with the latest standards and market trends.

What is Wi-Fi 7 and why it is relevant?

Wi-Fi 7 was developed to overcome the limitations of Wi-Fi 7 was developed to overcome the limitations of previous generations of Wi-Fi. While Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 primarily focused on efficiency and improved multi-device support, Wi-Fi 7 is the first standard to combine extreme speed, high capacity and ultra-low latency.

Demand for stable, powerful wireless connections is growing, particularly in the following areas:

• Industry 4.0 and automation
• Smart energy and critical infrastructures
• AR/VR and mixed reality applications
• 8K video, cloud gaming and real-time communication;
• Dense IoT environments with many end devices.

Wi-Fi 7 is precisely designed for these scenarios and forms the basis for future-proof networks.

Key Wi-Fi 7 technologies in detail

Multi-link operation (MLO):

One of the most significant innovations in Wi-Fi 7 is the ability to operate on multiple links simultaneously. End devices can use multiple frequency bands simultaneously: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz.

This offers significant advantages:

• Higher overall throughput thanks to parallel data transmission
• Significantly lower latency
• Greater reliability in the event of interference.

Multi-link operation (MLO) is a real game changer, especially for time-critical applications such as industrial control systems or AR/VR.

320 MHz channel bandwidth

Wi-Fi 7 doubles the maximum channel width in the 6 GHz band from 160 MHz (as with Wi-Fi 6E) to 320 MHz. This means more data can be transmitted per unit of time, resulting in significantly higher transmission rates.

This is particularly relevant for:

• Large amounts of data
• Video streaming in extremely high resolution
• High-performance enterprise and industrial networks.

4096-QAM (4K QAM):

Wi-Fi 7 can transmit around 20 per cent more data per signal than Wi-Fi 6 with 1024-QAM using 4096-QAM. This significantly improves the use of the radio spectrum without requiring extra frequencies.

16×16 MU-MIMO

Wi-Fi 7 increases the number of simultaneous data streams to 16×16 MU-MIMO. This enables access points to serve a significantly greater number of end devices simultaneously. This is highly advantageous in dense environments such as production halls, offices, transport hubs and smart buildings.

Multi-Resource Unit (MRU):

With MRU, a single end device can be assigned multiple resource units simultaneously. This improves the flexible use of the spectrum and reduces bottlenecks during periods of high network usage.

Preamble Puncturing:

Preamble puncturing enables specific sections of a channel that are experiencing interference to be bypassed, rather than blocking the entire channel. This enables more stable connections and better utilisation of the available spectrum.

Advantages and typical areas of application:

Wi-Fi 7 was developed for applications that are too demanding for traditional WLAN solutions.

Immersive applications

AR, VR and mixed reality, as well as 8K streaming, benefit from its extremely high bandwidth and minimal latency. Wi-Fi 7 enables smooth wireless experiences without any loss of quality.

Latency-critical systems

Real-time gaming, robotics and industrial controls require stable connections with predictable response times. Wi-Fi 7 delivers these characteristics exactly.

Dense IoT environments

In smart factories, energy infrastructures or smart cities, hundreds or even thousands of devices are often connected simultaneously. Wi-Fi 7 ensures consistent performance, even with high device density.

Comparison: Wi-Fi 7 vs. previous generations

Feature	Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be)	Wi-Fi 6 / 6E (802.11ax)
Maximum Speed	Up to 46 Gbps	Up to 9.6 Gbps
Maximum Channel Bandwidth	320 MHz	160 MHz
Modulation	4096-QAM	1024-QAM
MU-MIMO	16×16	8×8
Multi-Link Operation	Yes	No
Typical Use Cases	AR/VR, Industrial, 8K, IoT	General high-efficiency networks

Wi-Fi 7 ist nicht nur schneller, sondern auch deutlich leistungsfähiger und robuster – das zeigt der Vergleich ganz deutlich.

INOVIS und Wi-Fi 7 – Immer am Puls der Zeit

At INOVIS Live Automation AG we don’t just keep up with technological developments in theory; we turn them into practical solutions. As a Swiss company, we prioritise quality, durability and investment security.

Our mission is to:

• Identify the latest technology trends at an early stage
• Continuously update our product portfolio
• Provide comprehensive advice to customers, from initial ideas to implementation.
• Offer future-proof connectivity solutions.

Wi-Fi 7 is another important building block in this approach. We are gradually integrating the relevant products and solutions into our range to ensure our customers can benefit fully from the new possibilities.

Wi-Fi 7 is a milestone in wireless communication. With its extremely high data rates, intelligent spectrum utilisation and minimal latency, this standard paves the way for the next generation of digital applications.

Thanks to our consistent focus on current and upcoming technologies, INOVIS ensures that companies in Switzerland and around the world are optimally connected.

FAQ