802.11ac test case

Mandatory tests

Every device submitted for 802.11ac certification must pass a series of basic tests. The features that are expected to be supported include:

5 GHz operation

802.11ac is a 5 GHz–only specification. All tests in the Wi-Fi Alliance certification program require operation at 5 GHz. This is in contrast to the 802.11n Wi-Fi Alliance certification program, in which 5 GHz capabilities were optional

Channel width of 20, 40, and 80 MHz

The initial version of the 802.11ac certification requires support of all the available channel widths up to 80 MHz. Again, this is in contrast to the Wi-Fi Alliance’s

802.11n certification program, which covered only 20 MHz and 40 MHz channels (with 40 MHz channels being optional).

Dynamic bandwidth signaling

In addition to requiring support of multiple channel widths, the 802.11ac certification test plan requires demonstrated interoperability for the dynamic bandwidth signaling protocol features described in “Dynamic Bandwidth Operation (RTS/CTS)”

Support of MCS 0 through 7 (up to 64-QAM)

Modulation of up to 64-QAM is required of all devices seeking 802.11ac certification

Minimum number of spatial streams

APs must support at least two streams before being allowed to claim 802.11ac certification; no such rule applies to client devices. There is an exception for “mobile APs,” which are battery-powered devices like the Novotel Mi-Fi. Battery-powered APs are allowed to implement only a single spatial stream. The number of tested spatial streams is likely to be placed on the interoperability certificate

A-MPDU reception

Any Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 802.11ac device must be able to receive A-MPDU frames. A-MPDU support is typically provided within the radio chip itself, so support for this option is widespread. Devices under test are allowed to self-describe the A-MPDU size supported, so it is impossible to determine the density of back-to-back MPDUs supported.

A-MSDU reception

In addition to A-MPDU aggregation, to receive certification devices must support A-MSDU reception.

Security: TKIP & WEP negative tests

802.11ac devices may not use TKIP or WEP to protect frames sent at 802.11ac data rates. The certification program includes “negative tests,” which are tests to ensure that WEP and TKIP cannot be used with 802.11ac data rates. Many products implement data rate limits when WEP or TKIP is configured, so that if an 802.11ac network is configured for TKIP, its components will avoid using data rates higher than 54 Mbps