802 11v Wi-Fi Standard

Details have emerged today from Trapeze Networks of a proposed Wi-Fi standard that should reduce the high power use of wireless networks. Known as 802.11v, the tentative format would more intelligently check for a connection and shut off the radio on either the router or devices themselves earlier when they idle, reducing the wasted energy and drawing out battery life. It would further send traffic maps to prevent end devices from having to send as much information on the network.

The technology should also have a side benefit for turning devices back on, the company says. While it exists in some form for newer business notebooks using Intel's vPro platform, a new addition would support software waking up any 802.11v device over the wireless network for it to run a task without users themselves being nearby. More location-based features are also built-in that would be useful for emergencies and other times when GPS isn't available.

The IEEE standards group, which controls the Wi-Fi standard, isn't set to have a final version of 802.11v ready until 2010 but also has yet to unveil every aspect of the technology, including its speed versus 802.11n.

By Electronista Staff