Siemon recently published a white paper that covers key design and media-selection strategies for designers, consultants, end users and installers to ensure that network cabling infrastructures are prepared to support high-speed WiFi access point connections.
The paper, authored by Siemon distinguished engineer Valerie Maguire, BSEE, is titled “Preparing for WiFi 6E: Cabling Considerations for High Efficiency Wireless Access Point Connections.” It explains the technology behind the latest 802.11ax High-Efficiency Wireless (HEW) standard, and what users can expect in terms of wireless speeds with this new technology. The paper outlines key cabling design strategies that will ensure structured cabling uplinks will be ready to support WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E, including support for current and future transmission speed and remote-powering requirements.
“With WiFi 7 and its targeted real-world capacity of greater than 20 Gbits/sec already on the horizon, it’s extremely important that clients follow Siemon’s recommendation to deploy two Class EA/Category 6A shielded or higher-performing drops to each access point or router and a minimum 25-Gbit/sec-capable backbone to support uplink capacity,” says Maguire. “In addition, emerging wireless technology will require at least 30-watt Type 2 PoE, if not 60-watt Type 3 PoE, which calls for more thermally stable cabling systems. Here at Siemon, we continue to focus on developing innovative solutions that ensure maximum performance and reliability while minimizing heat rise to optimally support access points and other PoE-powered devices.”
In the white paper, Maguire also addresses the use of a grid-based zone cabling architecture to support the logical distribution of access points through the ceiling space, how to simplify access-point deployments using Category 6A component-compliant field terminated plugs and other key cabling design strategies to ensure support for WiFi 6E and beyond.