Wi-Fi Alliance pushes 802.11n certification

The Wi-Fi Alliance has created a new logo to reflect a broader array of 11n products

The Wi-Fi Alliance has updated its product testing and certification programme following the ratification of the 802.11n standard.

The new Wi-Fi Certified n initiative builds on the two year-old procedures used for the draft 2.0 version of the protocol, and adds testing for some popular optional features now more widely available in Wi-Fi equipment.

"Wi-Fi Certified n builds on the success of our draft-n certification programme, and marks a point of maturity in 802.11n technology," said Edgar Figueroa, executive director of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

"Our expanded testing and branding programme helps ensure the best user experience in the context of the Wi-Fi industry's continued innovation, and the evolving landscape of products implementing next-generation Wi-Fi."

The Wi-Fi Alliance has created a new logo, along with a family of taglines and a product labelling matrix, to reflect the broader array of 11n products entering the market with varying performance profiles.

The new procedures verify support for simultaneous transmission of up to three spatial streams, packet aggregation to make data transfers more efficient, space-time block coding to improve reliability, and channel coexistence measures for so-called 'good neighbour' behaviour when using 40MHz operations in the 2.4GHz band.

"Given the wide array of 802.11n devices now emerging, and their varying capabilities, the launch of an updated Wi-Fi certification programme is an important next step for the industry," said Victoria Fodale, senior analyst and market intelligence manager at analyst firm In-Stat.

"The Wi-Fi Alliance's leadership, through testing and the updated branding and labelling, will continue to help users have the best experience with advanced Wi-Fi technology."

The Wi-Fi Alliance has also created a dedicated Wi-Fi Certified web site promoting the standard with a collection of white papers, videos and other information for consumers, retailers and industry players.