Wi-Fi Alliance Explained

Logo Alt:Wi-Fi Alliance logo
Headquarters:Austin, Texas, United States
Leader Title:
Formerly:Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance
Wi-Fi Alliance
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The Wi-Fi Alliance is a non-profit[1] organization that owns the Wi-Fi trademark. Manufacturers may use the trademark to brand products certified for Wi-Fi interoperability. It is based in Austin, Texas.

History

Early 802.11 products suffered from interoperability problems because the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) had no provision for testing equipment for compliance with its standards.

In 1999, pioneers of a new, higher-speed variant endorsed the IEEE 802.11b specification to form the Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) and branded the new technology Wi-Fi.[2] [3]

The group of companies included 3Com, Aironet (acquired by Cisco), Harris Semiconductor (now Intersil), Lucent (was Alcatel-Lucent, then acquired by Nokia), Nokia and Symbol Technologies (acquired by Motorola, Zebra Technologies, and now Extreme Networks).[4]

The alliance lists Apple, Comcast, Samsung, Sony, LG, Intel, Dell, Broadcom, Cisco, Qualcomm, Motorola, Microsoft, Texas Instruments, and T-Mobile as key sponsors. The charter for this independent organization was to perform testing, certify interoperability of products, and to promote the technology.[5]

WECA renamed itself the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2002.[6]

Most producers of 802.11 equipment became members, and the Wi-Fi Alliance included over 550 member companies. The Wi-Fi Alliance extended Wi-Fi beyond wireless local area network applications into point-to-point and personal area networking and enabled specific applications such as Miracast.

Wi-Fi certification

The Wi-Fi Alliance owns and controls the "Wi-Fi Certified" logo, a registered trademark, which is permitted only on equipment which has passed testing. Purchasers relying on that trademark may have greater chances of interoperation than otherwise. Testing involves not only radio and data format interoperability, but security protocols, as well as optional testing for quality of service and power management protocols.[7] Wi-Fi Certified products have to demonstrate that they can perform well in networks with other Wi-Fi Certified products, running common applications, in situations similar to those encountered in everyday use. Certification employs 3 principles:

The Wi-Fi Alliance definition of interoperability demands that products have to show satisfactory performance levels in typical network configurations and have to support both established and emerging applications. The Wi-Fi Alliance certification process includes three types of tests to ensure interoperability. Wi-Fi Certified products are tested for:

Certification types

The Wi-Fi Alliance provides certification testing in two levels:[8]

Mandatory:

Optional:

Certification programs

There are a number of certification programs by Wi-Fi alliance:[14]

2.4/5/6GHz Wi-Fi

The 802.11 protocols are IEEE standards, identified as 802.11b, 11g, 11n, 11ac, etc. In 2018 The Wi-Fi Alliance created the simpler generation labels Wi-Fi 4 - 6 beginning with Wi-Fi 5, retroactively added Wi-Fi 4 and later added Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E.[15] [16] [17] Wi-Fi 5 had Wave 1 and Wave 2 phases. Wi-Fi 6E extends the 2.4/5 GHz range to 6 GHz, where licensed. Listed in historical and capacity order. See the individual 802.11 articles for version details or 802.11 for a composite summary.

WiGig

WiGig refers to 60 GHz wireless local area network connection. It was initially announced in 2013 by Wireless Gigabit Alliance, and was adopted by the Wi-Fi Alliance in 2013. They started certifying in 2016. The first version of WiGig is IEEE 802.11ad, and a newer version IEEE 802.11ay was released in 2021.[18] [19] [20]

Wi-Fi Direct

In October 2010, the Alliance began to certify Wi-Fi Direct, that allows Wi-Fi-enabled devices to communicate directly with each other by setting up ad-hoc networks, without going through a wireless access point or hotspot.[21] [22] Since 2009 when it was first announced, some suggested Wi-Fi Direct might replace the need for Bluetooth on applications that do not rely on Bluetooth low energy.[23] [24]

WPA

Wi-Fi Protected Access is a security mechanism based on IEEE 802.11i amendment to the standard that the Wi-Fi Alliance started to certify from the year of 2003.[25]

IBSS with Wi-Fi Protected Setup

IBSS with Wi-Fi Protected Setup would enable the creation of ad hoc network between devices directly without central access point.[26]

Wi-Fi Passpoint

Wi-Fi Passpoint, alternatively known as Hotspot 2.0, is a solution for enabling inter-carrier roaming.[27] It utilizes IEEE 802.11u.

Wi-Fi Easy Connect

Wi-Fi Easy Connect is a protocol that would enable easily establishing connections via QR code.[28]

Wi-Fi Protected Setup

Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) is a network security standard to simply create a secure wireless home network, created and introduced by Wi-Fi Alliance in 2006.

Miracast

Miracast, introduced in 2012, is a standard for wireless display connections from devices such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones. Its goal is to replace cables connecting from the device to the display.[29]

Wi-Fi Aware

Wi-Fi Aware is an interoperability certification program announced in January 2015 that enables device users, when in the range of a particular access point or another compatible device, to receive notifications of applications or services available in the proximity.[30] [31] Later versions of this standard included new features such as the capability to establish a peer-to-peer data connection for file transfer.[32]

Fears were voiced immediately in media that it would be predominantly used for proximity marketing.[33]

Wi-Fi Location

Wi-Fi Location is a type of Wi-Fi positioning system, and the certification could help providing accuracy to in-door positioning.[34]

TDLS

TDLS, or Tunneled Direct Link Setup, is "a seamless way to stream media and other data faster between devices already on the same Wi-Fi network" based on IEEE 802.11z and added to Wi-Fi Alliance certification program in 2012. Devices using it communicate directly with one another, without involving the wireless network's router.[35]

Wi-Fi Agile Multiband

The certification of Wi-Fi Agile Multiband indicate devices can automatically connect and maintain connection in the most suitable way. It covers the IEEE 802.11k standard about access point information report, the IEEE 802.11v standard that enable exchanging information about state of network, IEEE 802.11u standard about additional information of a Wi-Fi network, IEEE 802.11r about fast transition roaming between different access points, as well as other technologies specified by Wi-Fi alliance.

Wi-Fi EasyMesh

Wi-Fi EasyMesh is a certification program based on its Multi-Access Point specification for creating Wi-Fi meshes from products by different vendors,[36] based on IEEE 1905.1. It is intended to address the problem of Wi-Fi systems that need to cover large areas where several routers serve as multiple access points, working together to form a larger/extended and unified network.[37] [38] [39]

Wi-Fi Vantage

Formerly known as Carrier Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Vantage is a certification program for operators to maintain and manage quality Wi-Fi connections in high usage environment.[40] It includes a number of certification, such as Wi-Fi certified ac (as in 802.11ac), Passpoint, Agile Multiband, and Optimized Connectivity.[41]

WMM

Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) or known as Wireless Multimedia Extensions is a Wi-Fi Alliance interoperability certification based on the IEEE 802.11e standard. It provides basic quality of service (QoS) features to IEEE 802.11 networks.

Wi-Fi Home Design

Wi-Fi Home Design is a set of guidelines released by Wi-Fi alliance for inclusion of wireless network in home design.[42]

Wi-Fi HaLow

Wi-Fi HaLow is a standard for low-power wide-area (LPWA) connection standard using sub-1 GHz spectrum for IoT devices. It is based on IEEE 802.11ah.[43]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Governing Documents . Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-Fi.org . August 29, 2021 . August 12, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210812020434/https://www.wi-fi.org/who-we-are/governing-documents . live .
  2. Book: Littman, Marlyn Kemper . Building Broadband Networks . CRC Press . 2002 . 9781420000016 . 406–407 . October 9, 2016 . October 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007221443/https://books.google.com/books?id=wU2BhKKpkOkC&pg=PA407 . live .
  3. Book: Wireless Access 2000 . Information Gatekeepers . 2002 . 9781420000016 . 111 . October 9, 2016 . October 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221007221443/https://books.google.com/books?id=-peYIFTCW74C&pg=PA111 . live .
  4. Web site: Wi-Fi Alliance: Organization . https://web.archive.org/web/20090903004711/http://www.wi-fi.org/organization.php . September 3, 2009 . November 7, 2013 .
  5. News: Effort afoot to provide wireless LAN roaming . John . Cox . Network World . May 28, 2001 . November 7, 2013 . February 7, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120207134046/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2001/0528wispr.html . live .
  6. Web site: WECA becomes Wi-Fi Alliance . Internet News . Eric . Griffith . October 2, 2002 . November 7, 2013 . October 2, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131002101905/http://www.internetnews.com/wireless/article.php/1474361/WECA-becomes-Wi-Fi-Alliance.htm . live .
  7. Web site: An overview of Wi-Fi Alliance certification. SenzafiliConsulting.com. April 1, 2017. March 4, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121332/http://www.senzafiliconsulting.com/downloads/Wi-Fi_Certified_Makes_it_Wi-Fi.pdf. live.
  8. Web site: Insist on Wi-Fi Certified . Wi-Fi.org. Wi-Fi Alliance. September 27, 2016. August 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816180059/http://www.wi-fi.org/insist-on-wi-fi-certified. live.
  9. Web site: WPA2 – Featured Topics from Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-fi.org. April 1, 2017. February 13, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080213010150/http://www.wi-fi.org/knowledge_center/wpa2 .
  10. Web site: WMM – Article from Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-fi.org. April 1, 2017. February 18, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080218102114/http://www.wi-fi.org/knowledge_center/wmm .
  11. Web site: Power save – Article from Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-Fi.org . April 1, 2017 . February 6, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080206145625/http://www.wi-fi.org/knowledge_center/wmmpowersave/ . live .
  12. Web site: WPS – Article from Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-Fi.org . April 1, 2017 . October 7, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091007005125/http://www.wi-fi.org/wifi-protected-setup .
  13. Web site: Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Passpoint | Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-fi.org . April 1, 2017 . June 11, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170611080349/http://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-passpoint . live .
  14. Web site: Programs . Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-Fi.org . March 17, 2023 .
  15. Web site: Wi-Fi Certified 6 . Wi-Fi Alliance . May 2, 2019 . Wi-Fi.org . April 15, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190415134029/https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-6 . live .
  16. Web site: Kastrenakes. Jacob. October 3, 2018. Wi-Fi now has version numbers, and Wi-Fi 6 comes out next year. May 2, 2019. The Verge. May 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502231159/https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/3/17926212/wifi-6-version-numbers-announced. live.
  17. Web site: January 3, 2020 . Wi-Fi Alliance Brings Wi-Fi 6 into 6 GHz . live . November 11, 2021 . Wi-Fi Alliance . January 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210130003528/https://www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-alliance-brings-wi-fi-6-into-6-ghz .
  18. Web site: What Is WiGig, and How Is It Different from Wi-Fi 6? . HowToGeek.com . October 21, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100403/https://www.howtogeek.com/371328/what-is-wigig-and-how-is-it-different-from-wi-fi-6/ . live .
  19. Web site: Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WiGig™ brings multi-gigabit performance to Wi-Fi devices . MarketWired.com . October 24, 2016 . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100650/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/wi-fi-certified-wigig-brings-multi-gigabit-performance-to-wi-fir-devices-2169303.htm . live .
  20. Web site: Status of Project IEEE 802.11ay . Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers . February 2, 2021 . January 9, 2022 . January 19, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220119212924/https://www.ieee802.org/11/Reports/tgay_update.htm . live .
  21. News: Wi-Fi gets personal: Groundbreaking Wi-Fi Direct launches today . October 25, 2010 . Press release . WiFi Alliance . November 7, 2013 .
  22. News: Wi-Fi Direct: what it is and why you should care. TechRadar. August 2, 2018 . August 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071626/https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/wi-fi-direct-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-care-1065449. live.
  23. News: Wi-Fi Direct could be death of Bluetooth . Tony . Bradley . PC World . October 15, 2009 . November 7, 2013 . November 14, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131114013118/http://www.networkworld.com/news/2009/101509-wi-fi-direct-could-be-the.html . live .
  24. News: Wi-Fi Is About to Get a Whole Lot Easier . October 14, 2009 . Bloomberg Business Week . Olga . Kharif . November 7, 2013 . January 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140108110033/http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2009/tc20091013_683659.htm . dead .
  25. Web site: Bennett . Amy . Overview of WPA from Wi-Fi Alliance . ITWorld.com . April 2, 2003 . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100641/https://www.itworld.com/article/2777636/mobile/overview-of-wpa-from-wi-fi-alliance.html . live .
  26. Web site: Mobile Ad-Hoc Networking: Wi-Fi Certified IBSS with Wi-Fi Protected Setup (2012) . Wi-Fi.org . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129142338/https://www.wi-fi.org/downloads-registered-guest/wp_IBSS_20121113.pdf/7559 . live .
  27. Web site: Thornycroft . Peter . Using Passpoint for private Wi-Fi networks . NetworkWorld.com . April 24, 2017 . November 29, 2018 . April 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240426183833/https://www.networkworld.com/article/962724/using-passpoint-for-private-wi-fi-networks.html . live .
  28. Web site: Wi-Fi Alliance introduces WPA3 and Wi-Fi Easy Connect . VentureBeat.com . June 25, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129142453/https://venturebeat.com/2018/06/25/wi-fi-alliance-introduces-wpa3-and-wi-fi-easy-connect/ . live .
  29. Web site: On Wifi-Display, Democratic Republics and Miracles . February 17, 2014 . Herrmann . Patrick . November 29, 2018 . March 22, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160322104253/https://dvdhrm.wordpress.com/2014/02/17/on-wifi-democratic-republics-and-miracles/ . live .
  30. Web site: Wi-Fi Aware | Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-fi.org . April 1, 2017 . April 29, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170429173628/http://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-aware . live .
  31. Web site: Wi-Fi Aware Aims to Connect All Your Devices Instantly . . July 14, 2015 . April 1, 2017 . March 29, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170329192909/https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/14/wi-fi-aware-aims-to-connect-all-your-devices-instantly/ . live .
  32. News: Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Aware™ enhances the Wi-Fi® mobile experience. Alliance. Wi-Fi. GlobeNewswire News Room. August 2, 2018 . August 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180802104716/https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/04/24/1486154/0/en/Wi-Fi-CERTIFIED-Wi-Fi-Aware-enhances-the-Wi-Fi-mobile-experience.html. live.
  33. Web site: Wi-Fi Alliance ushers in new era of intrusive apps . Theregister.co.uk . April 1, 2017 . January 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113160529/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/07/15/wifi_alliance_ushers_in_new_era_of_intrusive_apps/ . live .
  34. https://www.fiercewireless.com/tech/wi-fi-alliance-introduces-certification-for-better-indoor-positioning-featureWi-Fi Alliance introduces certification for better indoor positioning
  35. Web site: KitKat Feature Spotlight: Wi-Fi TDLS Support Allows for Faster Direct Data Transfer on a Wi-Fi Network without Slowing Other Devices . Spradlin . Liam . October 31, 2013 . Android Police . November 29, 2018 . February 14, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190214092852/https://www.androidpolice.com/2013/10/31/kitkat-feature-spotlight-wi-fi-tdls-support-allows-for-faster-direct-data-transfer-on-a-wi-fi-network-without-slowing-other-devices/ . live .
  36. Web site: Wi-Fi EasyMesh . Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-Fi.org . May 17, 2018. May 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180517223906/https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-easymesh. live.
  37. Web site: Wi-Fi EasyMesh . Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-Fi.org . August 2, 2018. July 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093758/https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-easymesh. live.
  38. News: What Is the New EasyMesh Wi-Fi Standard? (and Why It Doesn't Matter Yet). Hoffman. Chris. May 16, 2018. How to Geek. August 2, 2018 . August 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071346/https://www.howtogeek.com/352480/what-is-the-new-easymesh-wi-fi-standard-and-why-it-doesnt-matter-yet/. live.
  39. Web site: Wi-Fi Certified EasyMesh Delivers Intelligent Wi-Fi Networks . Wi-Fi Alliance . Wi-Fi.org . August 2, 2018 . August 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071437/https://www.wi-fi.org/news-events/newsroom/wi-fi-certified-easymesh-delivers-intelligent-wi-fi-networks . live .
  40. Web site: Carrier Wi-Fi Is Now Wi-Fi Certified Vantage . CableLabs.com . December 7, 2016 . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129102001/https://www.cablelabs.com/carrier-wi-fi-now-vantage/ . live .
  41. Web site: Wi-Fi Alliance Levels Up With Vantage 2.0 . LightReading.com . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129142406/https://www.lightreading.com/cable/cable-wi-fi/wi-fi-alliance-levels-up-with-vantage-20/d/d-id/736084 . live .
  42. Web site: New houses will have Alexa and Wi-Fi built into the walls . . June 14, 2017 . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129100512/https://mashable.com/2017/06/14/wifi-certified-alexa-connected-smart-homes/ . live .
  43. Web site: CONNECTIVITY Top wireless standards for IoT devices . November 29, 2018 . November 29, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181129142420/https://iot.eetimes.com/top-wireless-standards-for-iot-devices/ . live .

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Wi-Fi Alliance".

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