Anritsu Company introduces an option that supports the latest IEEE 802.11be Wi-Fi 7 WLAN standard for its Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A. With this new expanded capability, the MT8862A extends its Wi-Fi support to evaluate Wi-Fi 7 signal quality with its Network Mode, allowing engineers to conduct accurate, repeatable tests to ensure the signal quality of Wi-Fi 7 devices.

The IEEE802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) wireless communication standard being developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is proposed to achieve 30 Gbps or faster transmission speeds. In addition to extending conventional technologies, including 4096 QAM, 320 MHz channel bandwidth and Multi-RU, the standard also adopts new technologies, such as multi-link operation that enables a device to simultaneously send and receive data across different frequency bands and channels.

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A flexible test environment for evaluating RF TRX characteristics, including Tx power, modulation accuracy and Rx sensitivity, of WLAN devices integrating Wi-Fi 7 is created with the new option installed in the Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A. The test set can conduct RF evaluation at all data rates of the major WLAN standards, including Wi-Fi 7, using the per-data-rate signal control technology. Such capability is essential because WLAN signal quality characteristics vary with each data rate.

The Network Mode in the Wireless Connectivity Test Set MT8862A emulates real-world scenarios to evaluate RF characteristics. It uses the data link layer communication protocol implemented in the chip and tester to establish connection. In addition to evaluating RF characteristics using conducted tests, the Network Mode can perform over-the-air wireless performance testing – including antenna characteristics – of finished products.

Anritsu developed the option to meet growing demand for test solutions to support Wi-Fi 7, scheduled to be ratified in 2024. Wi-Fi 7 is expected to be used for devices that support emerging high bandwidth applications and services, such as ultra-high-definition video streaming, augmented reality and virtual reality. Devices using chips based on the draft standard of Wi-Fi 7 have already been developed and there is rapidly increasing demand for test solutions to evaluate Wi-Fi 7 devices.