EEE

WLAN Physical Layer Measurements 802.11

TM

2021.11

802.11b Measurements (802.11-2020) 802.11ax Measurements (802.11ax-2021) 802.11 Timeline

Standard Test parameter Limit Standard Test parameter Limit
1997: 802.11 2003: g 2010: p 2013: ac 2019: ay
16.3.7.2 Transmit power levels Follows national regulatory domain requirements 27.3.15.3 Pre-correction accuracy requirements
First Release, 802.11g: 2.4 GHz, WAVE Downlink MU-MIMO 100 Gbps,
16.3.7.3 Transmit power level control Required for radio >100 mW -Transmit power accuracy Class B: ±9 dB 2 Mbps OFDM V2X communication 1.3 Gbps 300 m to 500 m
16.3.7.4 Transmit spectrum mask Defined limit mask -RSSI measurement accuracy Class B: ±5 dB
Transmit Spectrum Mask Unfiltered Sinx/x -Relative transmit power accuracy Class B: ± 3dB
0 dBr
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
-Carrier frequency offset error Not exceed 350 Hz for data subcarriers when CFO error of CCDF is 10％
-The arrival time of the HE TB PPDU at the Within ±0.4 μs + 16 μs from the end
AP
1999: a/b 2009: n 2012: ad 2016: ah 2021: ax
-30 dBr 27.3.19.1 Transmit spectral mask Defined limit mask based on channel bandwidth
Example 80 MHz BW PSD
802.11a: 5 GHz, OFDM SU-MIMO, Channel bonding, VHT 60 GHz Sub 1 GHz, Long-range 802.11ax: 6 GHz
0 dBr 802.11b: 2.4 GHz, CCK/DSSS Packet aggregation communication, Advanced High Efficiency WLAN,
-50 dBr power saving, M2M device support 1024 QAM, OFDMA, Uplink MU-MIMO
Freq [MHz]
-20 dBr
fc-22 MHz fc fc+22 MHz
-28 dBr

16.3.7.5 Transmit center frequency tolerance ± 25 ppm 802.11ax: High Efficiency WLAN
16.3.7.6 Chip clock frequency tolerance ± 25 ppm -40 dBr

16.3.7.7 Transmit power-on and power-down ramp No greater than 2 μs (10% to 90% of maximum power) -120 -39.5 39.5 120
Freq [MHz]

16.3.7.8 RF carrier suppression 15 dB, unscrambled 1010 payload

27.3.19.2 Spectral flatness +4/-6 dB (various BWs, 20-160 MHz)
8×8 MU-MIMO DL/UL OFDMA DL/UL Long OFDM symbol 1024 QAM Extended range More spatial streams
16.3.7.9 Transmit modulation accuracy Not exceeded 0.35 EVM peak, DQPSK modulation
27.3.19.3 Transmit center frequency and symbol clock ±20 ppm in the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands and ±25 ppm in the 2.4 GHz band
16.3.8.2 Receiver minimum input level sensitivity FER <8%, -76 dBm input level, 11 Mbps frequency tolerance

ac
16.3.8.3 RF maximum input level FER <8%, -10 dBm input level, 11 Mbps 27.3.19.4.2 Transmit center frequency leakage Not exceed the maximum of -32 dB relative to the total transmit power and
-20 dBm, or equivalently max(P-32, -20).
16.3.8.4 Receiver adjacent channel rejection ≥35 dB, FER <8%, ≥25 MHz separation, 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz 5 GHz 6 GHz

Channel width
27.3.19.4.4 Transmitter modulation accuracy (EVM) test
-EVM Not exceed -35 dB, MCS11

ax
802.11a/g Measurements (802.11-2020) -Unused Tone Error
Standard Test parameter Limit  

17.3.9.2 Transmit power levels Follows national regulatory domain requirements

 
∑ ∑  
t
    
   

(18.4.7.2) 

      
∈ Ω
 ∑
17.3.9.3 Transmit spectrum mask Defined limit mask
 

  
Power Spectral Density(dB)
(18.7.4.3)
Transmit Spectrum Mask
(not to scale) 27.3.20.2 Receiver minimum input sensitivity ≦10% PER, minimum Input level -52 dBm
27.3.20.3 Adjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, -14 dBm (Example 1024-QAM, Coding rate 5/6) 8×8 (MU-MIMO DL/UL) OFDMA DL/UL
-20 dBr
27.3.20.4 Nonadjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, 2 dBm
Typical Signal Spectrum
Number of simultaneous terminal connections (STA) More user multiplexing at same channel bandwidth
STA : Station
-28 dBr (an example)
27.3.20.5 Receiver maximum input level <-30 dBm(5 GHz/6 GHz Band) and -20dBm(2.4 GHz Band)
a maximum PER of 10% at a PSDU length of 2048 octets for BPSK modulation 11ac: 4Units　　 11ax: 8Units (MAX)
with DCM or 4096 octets for all other modulations. WLAN Packet
-40 dBr STA 4 STA 5
Freq [MHz]
STA 3 STA 6 Resource Unit
802.11ad Measurements (802.11-2020)
-30 fc 30

17.3.9.4 Transmission spurious Spurious transmissions shall comply with national regulations Standard Test parameter Limit

Channel width
17.3.9.5 Transmit center frequency tolerance ± 25 ppm 20.3.2 Transmit mask Defined limit mask STA 2 STA 7
(18.4.7.4)
17.3.9.6 Symbol clock frequency tolerance ± 25 ppm
(18.4.7.5) User 1
STA 1 STA 8
17.3.9.7.2 Transmitter center frequency leakage Not exceed the maximum of P-15 dBm or -20 dBm User 2
P: transmit power per antenna in dBm. -17 dBr
17.3.9.7.3 Transmitter spectral flatness Sub-carrier -16 to -1, 1 to 16: ± 4 dB -22 dBr User 3
Sub-carrier -17 to -26, +17 to 26: +4/-6dB t t
-30 dBr
Freq AP(Access Point) OFDM
17.3.9.7.4 Transmitter constellation error Relative constellation error not exceed -25 dB (Example 64-QAM, 3/4 Coding
(f-f) GHz
rate) -3.06 -0.94 0.94 3.06
17.3.10.2 Receiver minimum input sensitivity ≦10% PER, Input level -65 dBm (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 20 MHz Long OFDM symbol/Extended range 1024 QAM - 25% increase in data rate
channel spacing)
20.3.3.2 Center frequency tolerance ± 20 ppm maximum
17.3.10.3 Adjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, -1 dB (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 )
20.3.3.3 Symbol clock tolerance ± 20 ppm maximum
17.3.10.4 Non adjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, 15 dB (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 ) 11ac 11ax
17.3.10.5 Receiver maximum input level ≦10% PER, (For a maximum input level of –30 dBm)
20.3.3.4 Transmit center frequency leakage Not exceed –23 dB relative to the overall transmitted power 78.125 kHz
20.3.3.5 Transmit rampup and rampdown Less than 10ns
11ax Test 11ac-256 ax-1024
(10% to 90% of average power)
Data rate ltem QAM MCS9 QAM MCS11
802.11n Measurements (802.11-2020) Subcarrier spacing ×1.25
20.3.3.7 Maximum input requirement A receiver shall have a receiver maximum input level at the receive
antenna(s) of at least 10 μW/cm2 for each of the modulation ×1/4 TX EVM -32 dB -35 dB
Standard Test parameter Limit
formats that the receiver supports.
19.3.18.3 Transmit power Follows national regulatory domain requirements 1 OFDM Symbol Min.Sens. -51 dBm -46 dBm
20.3.3.8 Receive minimum input sensitivity < 5% PER, -78 dBm input at receiver, MCS0, 256 octets
19.3.18.1 Transmit spectrum mask　　 Defined limit mask based on channel bandwidth < 1% PER, 4096 octets ×4 312.5 kHz (80 MHz)
Example 20MHz BW　
PSD 11ac
0 dBr

802.11p Measurements (802.11-2020) 11ac - 256 QAM 11ax - 1024 QAM

N－2

N－2
-
Band ChannelSize Point A Point B Point C Point D f 8 bits per symbol 10 bits per symbol
(0 dBr) (20 dBr) (-28 dBr) (-45 dBr:5G
Standard Test parameter Limit
-20 dBr
t f
-40 dBr:2.4G)
2.4 GHz 20 MHz 9 MHz 11 MHz 20 MHz 30 MHz Annex D.2.2 Transmit power Follows national regulatory domain requirements
-28 dBr
2.4 GHz 40 MHz 19 MHz 21 MHz 40 MHz 60 MHz 17.3.9.2
5 GHz 20 MHz 9 MHz 11 MHz 20 MHz 30 MHz Annex D.2.3 Spectrum mask Defined limit mask based on channel bandwidth
5 GHz 40 MHz 19 MHz 21 MHz 40 MHz 60 MHz
-45 dBr 17.3.9.3 Power Spectral Density(dB) Anritsu Measurement Solutions for IEEE 802.11
Freq [MHz]
-30 -9 9 30
Permitted Level at f1(0 dBr)
Transmit Spectrum Mask
19.3.18.2 Transmitter spectral flatness Sub-carrier -16 to -1, 1 to 16: ± 4 dB STA transmit
Permitted power spectral density, dBr (not to scale)
Sub-carrier -17 to -28, +17 to 28: +4/-6dB power class ±9 MHz ±10 MHz ±11 MHz ±20 MHz ±30 MHz
offset(±f1) offset(±f2) offset(±f3) offset(±f4) offset(±f5) Permitted Level at f2 Example Signal Spectrum The MT8870A has been developed for large-scale, mass-production lines
19.3.18.4 Transmit center frequency tolerance ± 20 ppm maximum (5 GHz band) Permitted Level at f3 (not to scale) MS2690A series MG3710E MT8870A
Class A 0 -10 -20 -28 -40 building 802.11b/g/a/n/p/ac/ax devices. Up to four RF test modules
± 25 ppm maximum (2.4 GHz band) Permitted Level at f4 Signal Analyzer Vector Signal Generator Universal Wireless Test Set
Class B 0 -16 -20 -28 -40 operating independently can be installed in one main unit, offering
19.3.18.6 Symbol clock frequency tolerance Not exceed the maximum of peak-20 dB or -20 dB Permitted Level at f5 powerful support for 802.11n and later MIMO measurements
Class C 0 -26 -32 -40 -50
19.3.18.7.2 Transmit center frequency leakage Not exceed max (P-20, -20)dBm or, equivalently 0 dB (40 MHz channel band- Class D 0 -35 -45 -55 -65 (Composite/Sequential/True) as well as various wireless technologies,
Freq [MHz]
width) -f5 Fc +f5 such as WLAN, 5G, LTE, Cat-M, NB-IoT, C-V2X, W-CDMA, Bluetooth®, etc.
Not exceed max (P-17, -20)dBm or, equivalently 0 dB (20 MHz channel band- Not only does the MT8870A have the measurement speed required for
width) smartphone, tablet, wireless module, etc., production
19.3.18.7.3 Transmitter constellation error Relative constellation error not exceed -25 dB (Example 64-QAM, 3/4 Coding lines, but its support for most communications technologies really shows
rate) 17.3.9.4 Transmission spurious Spurious transmissions shall comply with national regulations. its power at mass-production.
19.3.19.1 Receiver minimum input sensitivity ≦10% PER, minimum Input level -64 dBm (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 5/6 17.3.9.5 Center frequency tolerance ± 20 ppm for 20 MHz, 10 MHz BW The Tx and Rx test RF measurements required at the research and development phases are
20 MHz channel spacing) ± 10 ppm for 5 MHz BW supported by the MS2690A series and MG3710E, respectively. The MS2690A series is a signal
analyzer with both spectrum analyzer and vector signal analysis modes for wide-dynamic-range and
19.3.19.2 Receiver adjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, -1 dB (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 ) 17.3.9.6 Symbol clock frequency tolerance ± 20 ppm for 20 MHz, 10 MHz BW
± 10 ppm for 5 MHz BW high-speed measurements, and supports 5G NR (sub-6 GHz). Installing the MX269028A
MT8862A
19.3.19.3 Nonadjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, 15 dB (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 ) (802.11b/g/a/n/ac/p/j) and MX269028A-002 (802.11ac 80 MHz/160 MHz) supports measurement of The MT8862A is a dedicated all-in-one measuring instrument for
17.3.9.7.2 Transmitter center frequency leakage Not exceed the maximum of P-15 dBm or -20 dBm WLAN Test Set
19.3.19.4 Receiver maximum input level ≦10% PER, -30 dBm (5 GHz), -20 dBm (2.4 GHz) P: transmit power per antenna in dBm.
modulation signals. 802.11b/g/a/n/ac/ax WLAN measurements. Tx and Rx measurements of
The MG3710E is an all-in-one vector generator with two RF ports. Installing the arbitrary waveform WLAN devices are implemented using the Network mode with WLAN
17.3.9.7.3 Transmitter spectral flatness Sub-carrier -16 to -1, 1 to 16: ± 4 dB memory option enables output of wanted and interference signals from one RF port to test Rx protocol. Also, the MT8862A supports the Direct Mode. Since the Network
Sub-carrier -17 to -26, +17 to 26: +4/-6dB
802.11ac Measurements (802.11-2020) sensitivity under various assumed conditions. It can generate and output modulation signals for mode simulates WLAN connections under realistic operation conditions,
17.3.9.7.4 Transmitter constellation error Relative constellation error not exceed -25 dB various communication systems, such as 5G NR (sub-6 GHz).
Standard Test parameter Limit
the MT8862A can be used for many different applications, ranging from
(Example 64-QAM, 3/4 Coding rate) The MS2690A series and MG3710E are the ideal solution for R&D requiring RF signal measurement commercial development to repair.
21.3.17.1 Transmit spectrum mask Defined limit mask based on channel bandwidth 17.3.10.2 Receiver minimum input sensitivity ≦10% PER, Input level -65 dBm and analysis from every perspective.
Example 160MHz BW PSD (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 20MHz channel spacing)
0 dBr

Channel
Point 1 Point 2 Point 3 Point 4 17.3.10.3 Adjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, -1 dB (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 )
0 dBr -20 dBr -28 dBr -40 dBr
20 MHz 9 MHz 11 MHz 20 MHz 30 MHz -20 dBr 17.3.10.4 Non adjacent channel rejection ≦10% PER, 15 dB (Example 64-QAM, Coding rate 3/4 )
40 MHz 19 MHz 21 MHz 40 MHz 60 MHz -28 dBr
80 MHz 39 MHz 41 MHz 80 MHz 120 MHz
This poster shows main points from each standard.
160 MHz 79 MHz 81 MHz 160 MHz 240 MHz
-40 dBr
For more details about specific requirements,
Channel
Point 1 Point 2/3/4 Point 5 Point 6 Point 7
Freq [MHz]
obtain the complete information available at
-20 dBr 0 dBr -20 dBr -28 dBr -40 dBr
-240 -79 79 240 https://www.ieee.org/
41/80/
80+80 MHz 39 MHz 121 MHz 160 MHz 200 MHz Example transmit spectral mask for a 160 MHz mask PPDU
119 MHz

21.3.17.2 Spectral flatness +/-4 dB, +4/-6 dB (various BWs, 20-160 MHz)
21.3.17.3 Transmit center frequency and symbol clock ± 20 ppm maximum
frequency tolerance
21.3.17.4.2 Transmit center frequency leakage For 20, 40, 80 and 160 MHz, and CF is in the center:
Not exceed average power per-subcarrier
21.3.17.4.3 Transmitter constellation error Relative constellation error not exceed -25 dB (Example 64-QAM, 3/4 Coding

www.anritsu.com
rate)
21.3.18.1 Receiver minimum input sensitivity ≦10% PER, minimum Input level -57 dBm (Example 256-QAM)

21.3.18.2 Adjacent channel rejection -9 dB for <10% PER (20/40/80/160 MHz)

-12 dB for <10% PER (80+80 MHz) (Example 256-QAM, Coding rate 5/6)
21.3.18.3 Non adjacent channel rejection 7 dB for <10% PER (20/40/80/160 MHz)
4 dB for <10% PER (80+80 MHz) (Example 256-QAM, Coding rate 5/6)
21.3.18.4 Receiver maximum input level <10% PER, -30 dBm input at receiver No. WLAN-E-Z-1-(1.00) Publicly available