Elevating Connectivity: The New Era of Wi-Fi 7 Access Points
As technology evolves, so do our needs and behaviors. Just as mobile phones transformed our communication methods from tethered landlines to portable devices, offering much more than just voice calls, the role of wireless access points (APs) has similarly expanded. Initially, APs provided basic connectivity, but today, they are essential tools that support a range of advanced functionalities crucial to businesses, schools, stadiums, and other large venues.
Modern access points, especially the latest Wi-Fi 7 models, are designed to do much more than provide fast wireless internet. They enhance business operations by supporting mobility, improving security, boosting Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, and enabling precise location-based services. The new Wi-Fi 7 APs from HPE Aruba Networking exemplify this trend, offering capabilities that extend far beyond the new wireless standard.
Expanding the Wi-Fi 7 Portfolio with the HPE Aruba Networking 750 Series
The latest addition to the Wi-Fi 7 portfolio, the HPE Aruba Networking 750 Series Campus Access Point, stands out as a flagship model designed for high-demand environments. This AP can deliver a maximum triband aggregate data rate of up to 18.7 Gbps, surpassing the Wi-Fi 7 standard by optimizing 6 GHz capacity by up to 30%, doubling the number of IoT devices that can be connected, enhancing security across both wired and wireless connections, and providing highly accurate location-aware capabilities.
Maximizing the Potential of the 6 GHz Band with Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi 7, also known as the 802.11be standard, builds upon the foundation laid by Wi-Fi 6E by introducing new features such as 320 MHz wide channels, multilink operation (MLO) for channel aggregation and failover, and 4096 QAM (4K QAM) for higher peak data rates. These enhancements significantly expand the wireless spectrum capacity, especially in the 6 GHz band, which more than doubles the available bandwidth.
However, the simultaneous use of both the 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands introduces potential interference challenges. The HPE Aruba 750 Series APs, along with the recently launched 730 Series, address these issues with patented ultra tri-band filtering (UTB). This technology, initially developed for the 650 Series APs, allows the upper 5 GHz and lower 6 GHz channels to be used simultaneously without interference, resulting in up to 30% more channels. This capability is particularly valuable in regions where the 6 GHz band is restricted, enabling organizations to use both the upper 5 GHz and lower 6 GHz channels effectively.
Key Features of the 750 Series Wi-Fi 7 Access Points
- Exceptional Performance: Equipped with three 4×4 MIMO radios, these APs provide tri-band coverage across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands, achieving a maximum tri-band aggregate data rate of 18.7 Gbps. They are also capable of reaching a maximum aggregate data rate of 28.8 Gbps with optional dual 5 GHz and 6 GHz radio modes, which will be supported in a future software release.
- Dual 10 Gbps Ethernet Ports: These ports eliminate coverage gaps, enhance resiliency, and ensure fast, secure connectivity, making them ideal for environments with high-performance requirements.
- Antenna Flexibility: Available with either internal or external antenna models, these APs can adapt to various verticals and physical environments, providing flexibility for deployment.
- Enhanced Wireless Security: Building on a comprehensive range of wireless security features, the 750 Series introduces MACsec (planned for a future software release), an Ethernet security protocol that offers new link-level encryption capabilities, extending wired data protection to wireless environments.
- Precision Location Services: Enhancing the embedded GNSS (GPS) capabilities of the 6xx Series APs, the 750 Series includes a new barometric sensor that adds a third dimension of height to location data. This allows the APs to determine floor levels and display their locations within the HPE Aruba Networking Central Floor Plan map in 3D. The 750 Series also uses the latest location standard, 802.11az, to achieve sub-1 meter accuracy, a significant improvement over the ~2-meter accuracy of previous standards.
- Sustainability and Energy Savings: An AI-powered dynamic power save mode identifies the AP’s duty cycle to recommend which APs can be powered down without compromising the necessary connectivity, contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability efforts.
Organizations preparing to support hybrid workplaces, increasing numbers of IoT devices, and rising user expectations should consider the HPE Aruba Networking portfolio of access points. With options ranging from indoor to outdoor, ruggedized to remote, and supporting Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and Wi-Fi 7, these APs cater to a wide variety of use cases and budget requirements. All models are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED and come with a limited lifetime guarantee, ensuring reliable and secure wireless connectivity for all enterprise needs.
For businesses looking to enhance their wireless infrastructure, these advanced access points offer a powerful combination of speed, intelligence, and security, making them a valuable investment for the future.