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Wi-Fi

Wireless network protocol for device networking and internet access

Wi-Fi is a wireless network protocol based on IEEE 802.11 standards, allowing devices to exchange data via radio waves. It is widely used globally for internet access in various settings. Wi-Fi Alliance manages the trademark and certification process. The technology operates in different radio bands with varying ranges and speeds. Wi-Fi has evolved to achieve high speeds and spectral efficiency, with newer versions capable of reaching 9.6 Gbit/s. Obstructions can affect signal range, but Wi-Fi is designed to minimize interference in crowded environments.

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Timeline

Formation of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

The IEEE, formed in 1963, is a New York-based organization responsible for setting industry standards, including the famous IEEE 802.11 standard for Wi-Fi products, ensuring compliance and compatibility among different organizations.

ALOHAnet connects Hawaiian Islands with UHF wireless packet network

In 1971, ALOHAnet successfully connected the Hawaiian Islands using a UHF wireless packet network. This achievement laid the groundwork for future developments in wireless communication technologies.

Network Standard

Robert 'Bob' Metcalfe from Xerox Palo Alto Research Center introduces the Ethernet network standard through a memo, laying the foundation for future wireless standards.

Vic Hayes joins NCR Corp. to work on Wi-Fi

Vic Hayes, known as the 'father of Wi-Fi', began his work on wireless communication technologies in 1974 when he joined NCR Corp. This marked a significant milestone in the development of Wi-Fi.

Invention of Wireless LAN by Dr. John O'Sullivan

Dr. John O'Sullivan and his team of engineers invented wireless LAN in 1977, which played a key role in making Wi-Fi signals reliable and faster, leading to the development of wireless local area networks and increasing the number of connected devices consumers could use.

U.S. FCC releases ISM band for unlicensed use

In 1985, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a ruling to release the ISM band for unlicensed use, specifically frequencies in the 2.4GHz band. This decision paved the way for the widespread adoption of Wi-Fi technology.

CR Corporation and AT&T release WaveLAN as a wireless solution for cashier systems, operating at 900MHz or 2.4 GHz with speeds of 1 to 2 Mbps.

Beginning of Wireless LAN Technology in Australia

In 1989, a team of scientists in Australia started working on wireless LAN technology, leading to the development of a prototype test bed for a WLAN in 1992 by researchers from the CSIRO.

The IEEE 802.11 Working Group for Wireless LANs is established under the leadership of Vic Hayes, known as the 'Father of Wi-Fi'.

NCR Corporation and AT&T invent precursor to 802.11 for cashier systems

In 1991, NCR Corporation and AT&T collaborated to invent the precursor to the 802.11 protocol, initially designed for use in cashier systems. This innovation eventually led to the development of Wi-Fi technology.

Wireless Andrew network at Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University established the first campus-wide wireless Internet network known as Wireless Andrew in 1993, before the term Wi-Fi was commonly used.

Wireless Andrew

Dr. Alex Hills initiates 'Wireless Andrew', a wireless research project funded by the National Science Foundation, providing wireless coverage to buildings at Carnegie Mellon University.

Invention of Wireless Ad Hoc Routing

Chai Keong Toh described the ad hoc mode in his 1996 patent of wireless ad hoc routing, implemented on Lucent WaveLAN 802.11a wireless on IBM ThinkPads over a size nodes scenario spanning a region of over a mile.

Invention of WiFi for Consumers

In 1997, WiFi was invented and first released for consumers when a committee called 802.11 was created. This led to the establishment of IEEE802.11 standards for wireless local area networks (WLANs) and allowed for two megabytes per second of wireless data transfer between devices.

MobileStar Hotspots

MobileStar, founded by Mark Goode, becomes the first provider of Wi-Fi hotspots in locations like airports and hotels, revolutionizing wireless connectivity.

Introduction of the name Wi-Fi

The name Wi-Fi was coined by the brand-consulting firm Interbrand in August 1999. It was chosen from a list of ten names to replace the technical term 'IEEE 802.11b Direct Sequence'.

802.11b Standard Introduction

The 802.11b standard, with a maximum raw data rate of 11 Mbit/s, was introduced to the market in early 2000 as an extension of the original standard, leading to rapid acceptance due to increased throughput and price reductions.

802.11g Standard Adoption

The 802.11g standard was adopted in the market in January 2003 before ratification, driven by the demand for higher data rates and cost reductions. Dual-band 802.11a/b products transitioned to dual-band/tri-mode, supporting a and b/g in a single device.

Ratification of 802.11g Standard

In June 2003, the 802.11g standard was officially ratified. This standard operates in the 2.4 GHz band like 802.11b but utilizes the OFDM transmission scheme of 802.11a, offering a maximum physical layer bit rate of 54 Mbit/s.

Mysore (Mysuru) becoming India's first Wi-Fi-enabled city

In 2004, Mysore (Mysuru) in India became the first city in the country to be Wi-Fi-enabled, with a company called WiFiyNet setting up hotspots covering the entire city and some nearby villages.

St. Cloud and Sunnyvale offering citywide free Wi-Fi in the United States

In 2005, St. Cloud, Florida, and Sunnyvale, California, became the first cities in the United States to provide citywide free Wi-Fi services through MetroFi.

Fon, the first WiFi community, is established

In 2006, Fon was founded as the first WiFi community where members shared their WiFi at home in exchange for free connectivity on the go. This initiative significantly contributed to the growth of WiFi globally.

IEEE 802.11-2007 Standard Approval

Task group TGma merged 8 amendments with the base standard to create IEEE 802.11-2007. This consolidation included amendments from 802.11a to j, providing a comprehensive update to the 1999 version of the standard.

Fon reaches 400,000 hotspots globally

By 2008, Fon had established partnerships with major telcos, enabling it to reach 400,000 hotspots worldwide. This milestone further solidified Fon's position in the WiFi industry.

802.11n Amendment Approval

The 802.11n amendment introduced MIMO antennas, operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with optional support for 5 GHz. It significantly improved data rates ranging from 54 Mbit/s to 600 Mbit/s.

London-wide Wi-Fi pledge by Mayor Boris Johnson

In May 2010, the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, announced plans to have London-wide Wi-Fi by 2012, with some boroughs like Westminster and Islington already having extensive outdoor Wi-Fi coverage.

Launch of Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct was launched in October 2010 by the Wi-Fi Alliance for file transfers and media sharing through a new discovery- and security-methodology.

3 million users share WiFi at home with Fon and 1.2 billion people buy a WiFi device

In 2011, 3 million users started sharing WiFi at home with Fon, while 1.2 billion people purchased a WiFi device.

IEEE 802.11-2012 Standard Published

IEEE 802.11-2012 standard, also known as REVmb or 802.11mb, was published on March 29, 2012. It merged ten amendments with the 2007 base standard and included various improvements.

IEEE 802.11ac-2013 Amendment

IEEE 802.11ac-2013, an amendment to IEEE 802.11, was published in December 2013. It built on 802.11n with enhancements like wider channels, more spatial streams, higher-order modulation, and Multi-user MIMO.

Introduction of SimpleLink CC3200 by Texas Instruments

In June 2014, Texas Instruments introduced the first ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller with an onboard dedicated Wi-Fi MCU, the SimpleLink CC3200. This innovation made it possible to build embedded systems with Wi-Fi connectivity as single-chip devices, reducing cost and size.

Installation of LinkNYC Screens Begins

In late 2015, the installation of screens for the LinkNYC project began, with plans to implement over seven thousand kiosks in New York City, making it the largest and fastest public Wi-Fi network operated by the government.

802.11ac Standard

The 802.11ac standard, also known as Wi-Fi 5, operates exclusively on the 5 GHz band and offers high throughput rates. It uses advanced signal processing techniques like multi-user MIMO and wide channel bandwidth.

IEEE 802.11ah Approval

IEEE 802.11ah defines a WLAN system operating at sub-1 GHz license-exempt bands, with final approval slated for September 2016. It aims to provide improved transmission range compared to conventional 802.11 WLANs in higher frequency bands.

Rollout of WPA3 encryption

In 2018, WPA3 was announced as a replacement for WPA2, enhancing security for Wi-Fi networks. The rollout of WPA3 began on June 26, 2018, aiming to further improve the encryption standards for wireless networks.

Release of WiFi 6 (802.11ax)

In 2019, WiFi 6 was highly anticipated for its promise of faster connectivity and improved linkup between technologies, offering speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps, a significant increase from WiFi 5. The new standard addressed issues of device overload and enabled routers to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously.

Ofcom Enlargement of Band Space for 5Ghz Channels

In 2020, Ofcom in the UK expanded the band space for 5Ghz channels, allowing for channels 147-167 to be used for general purposes. This change aimed to provide more channel options and improve overall network efficiency.

Projected Increase in WiFi Devices

There will be 7 billion new WiFi devices in the next 3 years.

Impact of WiFi on IoT and Business

The IoT is considered a groundbreaking innovation with immense potential that is just beginning to unfold. WiFi-based businesses like Purple are leveraging this potential by collecting extensive user data through WiFi-enabled devices, location services, social login, and digital marketing tools.

End of the Timeline
Wi-Fi

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