Wi-Fi 6 brings a number of improvements including an increase in the number of subcarriers through the use of OFDM. In addition, the bandwidth will double to 160MHz. Further, devices will be enabled to communicate on 8x8 transmit and receive streams simultaneously. Wi-Fi 6 will also enable more efficient battery utilization as devices can be programmed with a specific target time to wake (TWT). During times, that the device is not set to communicate, the device can go into a sleep state.
So what does the E in Wi-Fi 6E stand for?
Whereas Wi-Fi has traditionally been available on 2.4GHz and 5 GHz, the Wi-Fi 6E distinction refers to the extension into 6 GHz. 6 GHz is expected to be significantly less congested than many 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Wi-Fi 6E is expected to add 21 new channels including 14 at 80MHz and 7 at 160MHz.
Both Intel and Broadcom are have developed system on chip products for Wi-Fi 6E devices. More information on Wi-Fi 6E from Intel is available here.
