Next-Gen Wi-Fi Lab
Driving the future of connectivity
Ofinno’s Next-Gen Wi-Fi team is a top contributor to the IEEE 802.11 Working Group — the standards body that defines how Wi-Fi works. Our researchers have made major contributions to Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) and Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) and are actively shaping integrated mmWave (802.11bq) and the next generation of Wi-Fi beyond that.
Wireless built for what’s next
Wi-Fi is no longer just about connecting laptops and phones to the internet. As the number and diversity of connected devices grows — from vehicles and industrial sensors to medical devices and immersive media applications — the underlying technology must evolve to keep pace. Ofinno’s researchers are contributing across multiple IEEE 802.11 task groups, from defining how access points coordinate and how devices access spectrum more efficiently, to integrating 60 GHz mmWave frequencies into mainstream Wi-Fi and helping shape the next generation of Wi-Fi beyond that.
Where we contribute
Multi-AP Coordination
Coordinated TDMA, coordinated beamforming, spatial reuse, restricted TWT, AP failure mitigation
Non-Primary Channel Access
CCA procedures, TXOP protection, bandwidth expansion, hidden node mitigation, EMLSR coexistence
Integrated mmWave (802.11bq)
Link activation & management, MLO-aided beam training, channel access, PPDU format & numerology, power save, DL-only modes
Extended Long Range
ELR PPDU design, U-SIG field design, packet detection, mid-range support, PPDU selection
Dynamic Subchannel Operation
Subband switching, preallocation, STA-triggered DSO, service-period-based DSO, wider bandwidth OFDMA
Wi-Fi 9
Next-generation use cases and requirements definition
We are defining what comes next in Wi-Fi
We are defining what comes next in Wi-Fi
Teaching Access Points to Work Together
Today’s Wi-Fi networks largely operate with each access point acting independently — creating interference, inefficiency, and uneven coverage. Ofinno’s researchers have contributed multi-AP coordination frameworks to the IEEE 802.11bn standard that enable access points to share scheduling, negotiate resources, and coordinate transmissions. This includes coordinated TDMA for structured time-division access across APs, coordinated beamforming and spatial reuse to serve more users simultaneously while reducing interference, and restricted TWT mechanisms that allow APs to reserve and share airtime. These contributions are part of Wi-Fi 8 and represent some of the most significant architectural changes to how Wi-Fi networks operate.
Opening Up the Spectrum with Non-Primary Channel Access
In current Wi-Fi systems, transmissions are tightly tied to a primary channel — limiting how efficiently a device can use available bandwidth. Ofinno is a leading contributor to Non-Primary Channel Access in 802.11bn, which allows devices to independently access and transmit on secondary channels without waiting for the primary. Our inventions address CCA procedures, TXOP protection, bandwidth expansion, hidden node challenges, and coexistence with other advanced features like EMLSR. NPCA is one of the largest feature areas in Wi-Fi 8, and Ofinno has been at the center of its development.
Bringing mmWave into the Wi-Fi Ecosystem
The 60 GHz mmWave band offers enormous bandwidth but has historically operated in isolation from mainstream Wi-Fi. Ofinno’s researchers are contributing to IEEE 802.11bq, which integrates mmWave operation with sub-7 GHz Wi-Fi through multi-link operation. Our inventions cover mmWave link activation and management, beam training aided by the lower-frequency anchor link, channel access procedures, PPDU format and numerology design, power save mechanisms, and downlink-only mmWave modes. This is one of the team’s most active areas of focus and represents a significant expansion of Wi-Fi’s capabilities.
Helping Shape What Comes After Wi-Fi 8
While Wi-Fi 8 moves toward completion and mmWave integration takes shape, the wireless industry is already looking further ahead. Ofinno’s researchers are active participants in the IEEE 802.11 Wireless Next Generation Standing Committee, where the use cases and requirements for Wi-Fi 9 are being defined. By contributing at this foundational stage, Ofinno is helping set the direction for Wi-Fi’s future before formal standardization begins.
Related Content
Read more about our work in this area
Blog
January 12, 2023
IEEE 802 Working Groups Release Wireless Standards Table of Frequency Ranges
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Frequently-asked questions
Have questions about Wi-Fi, what Ofinno is doing to shape it, or how your company can get involved? Here are answers to the ones we hear most.
IEEE 802.11 is the international standard that defines how Wi-Fi works. It is developed by the IEEE 802.11 Working Group, where engineers from companies and research labs around the world collaborate to define the technologies that go into each generation of Wi-Fi. Every Wi-Fi device in the world is built on these specifications.
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) introduced extremely high throughput features like 320 MHz channels and multi-link operation. Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) builds on that foundation with ultra-high reliability improvements including multi-AP coordination, non-primary channel access, and extended long range. Wi-Fi 9 is in the earliest stages of definition, with industry discussions underway on use cases and requirements for the next generation.
Ofinno is a top contributor to the IEEE 802.11 Working Group. Our researchers have made major contributions to Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 8 and are actively contributing to integrated mmWave (802.11bq) and the early discussions shaping Wi-Fi 9. Our work spans multi-AP coordination, non-primary channel access, extended long range, dynamic subchannel operation, and mmWave integration.
Integrated mmWave (802.11bq) brings 60 GHz millimeter-wave spectrum into mainstream Wi-Fi by pairing it with traditional sub-7 GHz bands through multi-link operation. The 60 GHz band offers enormous bandwidth for multi-gigabit speeds, but the signals have short range and are easily blocked. By integrating mmWave with conventional Wi-Fi, devices can use the high-speed link when conditions allow and fall back to the more reliable lower-frequency band when needed.
Yes. Ofinno works closely with partner companies, giving them first access to new inventions at a fraction of the cost of issued patents, with dedicated standards insight and prosecution support to grow portfolio value over time. Contact us to learn more.
Yes. Ofinno licenses its standard essential patents under FRAND terms to companies whose products implement Wi-Fi standards, and selectively sells patent families to companies looking to strengthen their IP position. Reach out to discuss which option fits your needs.