Tests with Wi-Fi HaLow reveal potential for application in various IoT scenarios

Phase 2 of the field tests of Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah), which promises more reliable, long-range connectivity and low power consumption, ideal characteristics for application in various Internet of Things (IoT) scenarios, has been successfully completed. Wi-Fi HaLow extends the potential of Wi-Fi by operating in a spectrum below 1 gigahertz (GHz) to offer greater range and connectivity with lower power consumption.

According to the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), a global organization dedicated to improving Wi-Fi standards and services, the tests were carried out in North America and proved the expansion capacity and efficiency of HaLow Wi-Fi in challenging environments, such as densely populated cities and large industrial complexes.

The document Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT: Field Trials details the results of the tests and other considerations that can be useful for companies, network environment planners and mobile service operators.

The WBA surveyed the benefits that have been proven in seven use cases, including extended ranges, improved material penetration capabilities, extended battery life, higher device density, a higher level of security, ease of installation and management, and higher data transfer rates when compared to current Wi-Fi standards.

Below are the use cases that were field-tested in phase two:

1. Smart homes: The test demonstrated the capabilities of HaLow Wi-Fi in a house of around 465 square meters on a 12,000 square meter lot. A single access point was used to provide robust and secure Wi-Fi coverage throughout the property, eliminating the need for repeaters. Tests were carried out in more than 140 internal locations, achieving data transfer rates of more than 8 Mbps in high-demand areas and more than 2 Mbps in typical usage scenarios. The system efficiently managed 23 simultaneous connections at rates of 32 Mbps and extended the range to more than 430 meters, demonstrating the potential for connectivity throughout the neighborhood. In addition, OTA firmware updates were performed in just 30 seconds and a 25 MB file at around 20 Mbps, confirming the suitability of HaLow Wi-Fi as a scalable solution for future smart homes.

2. Warehouses: In a 10 square meter warehouse, the HaLow Wi-Fi standard proved to offer efficient and robust wireless connectivity in complex industrial environments. The technology guaranteed wide coverage using a single access point, with data rates ranging from 1 Mbps in peripheral zones to 22 Mbps in central areas, meeting various operational demands, from high-definition video streaming to basic communication between sensors. Various types of devices were used perfectly, proving the versatility and reliability of the standard. Notably, HaLow Wi-Fi provided external connectivity with strong signal strength, which is essential for logistics and fleet management activities over short distances. Redundancy tests highlighted the network’s reliability, with devices quickly connecting to alternative access points to ensure operational continuity.

3. Smart farms: HaLow Wi-Fi technology demonstrated excellent coverage and performance in an agricultural area of 56,700 square meters. The configuration included a single HaLow Wi-Fi access point and several IoT devices, achieving data rates between 1.3 Mbps in the most challenging locations and 22 Mbps near the access point. The technology worked effectively with a multi-camera security system, maintaining consistent video streaming across multiple locations and resolutions, and showed robust connectivity with 24 IoT devices simulating typical agricultural sensors. The test highlighted the potential of HaLow Wi-Fi to provide reliable and widespread connectivity for smart agricultural applications with minimal infrastructure.

4. Smart Cities: Wi-Fi HaLow demonstrated its broad connectivity for use in urban environments. The technology achieved coverage within a radius of 1 km to 2.4 km and showed high signal strength, capable of supporting high modulation and coding schemes (MCS) with rates of up to 3.34 Mbps. Even in areas with lower signal strength, connectivity remained robust.

5. Smart buildings: The test demonstrated how easy it is to deploy the technology in smart buildings with few infrastructure improvements. Wi-Fi HaLow offered wide and reliable coverage over several floors and through various building materials, effectively overcoming challenges such as thermal blocking films on glass. Wi-Fi HaLow was able to work with various types of services, including energy management, climate control and security systems. Different bandwidth tests also demonstrated the standard’s flexibility to meet diverse operational demands.

6. Smart school campuses: The test demonstrated the effectiveness and performance of Wi-Fi HaLow on a 20-square-meter campus with multiple buildings. Despite the thick concrete walls and interference with audio equipment, HaLow Wi-Fi provided wide coverage indoors and outdoors, managed interference well without interruption and can work with up to 32,000 IoT devices efficiently.

7. Smart industrial complexes: Testing of HaLow Wi-Fi in a large industrial complex demonstrated robust and extensive wireless coverage indoors and outdoors, overcoming the challenges posed by heavy machinery and metal structures. The test also demonstrated high data transfer rates, with peaks of 21.3 Mbps and reliable connectivity extending up to 130 meters in high-density areas. The demonstration highlighted the ability of HaLow Wi-Fi to work with various industrial applications, such as real-time asset tracking and video surveillance.