Time-Sensitive Networking in IEEE 802.11be: On the Way to Low-latency WiFi 7

TL;DR

This paper discusses the integration of time-sensitive networking (TSN) features into IEEE 802.11be, aiming to enable low-latency, ultra-reliable WiFi 7 communications for critical applications.

Contribution

It analyzes how TSN functionalities can be implemented in WiFi 7 based on IEEE 802.11be features and reviews low-latency use cases and their requirements.

Findings

IEEE 802.11be introduces key features for WiFi 7.

TSN functionalities can be adapted for WiFi 7.

Low-latency use cases benefit from TSN integration.

Abstract

Short time after the official launch of WiFi 6, IEEE 802.11 working groups are already designing its successor in the wireless local area network (WLAN) ecosystem: WiFi 7. With the IEEE 802.11be amendment as one of its main constituent parts, future WiFi 7 aims to include time-sensitive networking (TSN) capabilities to support low latency and ultra reliability in license-exempt spectrum bands. This article first introduces the key features of IEEE 802.11be, which are then used as the basis to discuss how TSN functionalities could be implemented in WiFi 7. Finally, benefits and requirements of the most representative low-latency use cases for WiFi 7 are reviewed.