802.11 protocols over the years

The 802.11 family of protocols, commonly known as Wi-Fi, has evolved significantly over the years to keep up with the increasing demand for faster and more reliable wireless communication. Here is a summary of the key protocols from 802.11 prime to the latest 802.11be:

802.11: Also known as 802.11 prime, this was the original Wi-Fi standard released in 1997. It provided data transfer rates of up to 2 Mbps using the 2.4 GHz frequency band.
802.11a: Released in 1999, 802.11a operated in the 5 GHz frequency band and offered faster data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbps. However, its shorter range limited its widespread adoption.
802.11b: Introduced in the same year as 802.11a, 802.11b also operated in the 2.4 GHz band but offered a slower maximum data rate of 11 Mbps. Its longer range and lower cost made it more popular than 802.11a.
802.11g: Released in 2003, 802.11g combined the best of both worlds by operating in the 2.4 GHz band like 802.11b but offering faster speeds of up to 54 Mbps like 802.11a.
802.11n: Released in 2009, 802.11n introduced multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology and operated in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It offered significantly faster data rates of up to 600 Mbps, improved range, and better reliability.
802.11ac: Released in 2013, 802.11ac further improved data rates by introducing wider channel bandwidths and more advanced MIMO techniques. It operated exclusively in the 5 GHz band and offered speeds of up to 1 Gbps.
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6): Released in 2019, 802.11ax introduced several new technologies such as orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) and target wake time (TWT) to enhance efficiency and performance in high-density environments. It offered faster speeds, improved reliability, and better battery life for connected devices.
802.11be (Wi-Fi 7): This is the upcoming Wi-Fi standard expected to be released in the coming years. 802.11be aims to further increase data rates, reduce latency, improve efficiency, and enhance overall performance to meet the growing demands of next-generation wireless networks.

Overall, the 802.11 family of protocols has seen significant advancements in speed, range, reliability, and efficiency over the years, enabling users to enjoy faster and more seamless wireless connectivity.