This is by no means an exhaustive explanation, but a quick overview that was two slides of a Wi-Fi talk I gave at the Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association’s 2024 Fall Conference.
People over a certain age (and nostalgia nerds) will appreciate this video from 1976 that aired for a decade afterwards.
The Sausage Factory
Let’s use the development of 802.11be as our example. From this page, the 802.11be committee posted their updates. Here’s the table they show:
I found this interesting, to be sure, but what are all the acronyms? I’d never learned those in my technical Wi-Fi experience. Note the use of the indefinite article (“a”) versus the definite article (“the”) below. Here are the acronyms defined:
- PAR: Project Authorization Request
- Document that outlines the need for a new project or standard
- TG: Task Group (IEEE 802.11be)
- A subgroup within a working group focused on a specific task or project
- WG: Working Group (IEEE 802.11)
- A group of experts working on the development of a standard
- SA: Standards Association (IEEE 802)
- A body within IEEE that oversees the standards development process
- EC: Executive Committee (IEEE)
- The governing body that manages the activities of the Standards Association
- RevCom: Review Committee
- The committee that evaluates readiness for final approval
- SASB: Standards Activities Support Branch
- The division that provides support for standardization activities; acts like the “quality control board” and final authority that ensures an IEEE standard is legitimately developed, consensus-based, and ready to be officially published.
Now that we have an example and a basis for understanding, take a look at 802.11bn (which will likely be called Wi-Fi 8). From this page:
As I write this (April 21, 2025), it looks like they may be running a bit behind. Releasing 802.11bn only 4 years after 802.11be was a pretty aggressive timeline, so it will probably take a bit longer for the final standard. The Wi-Fi Alliance will probably run ahead a little bit anyway, as they did with certifying Wi-Fi 7 in January of 2024 when it was September before the final 802.11be was through all the committees.
I hope you enjoyed this small peek behind the curtain. Note that I am not involved in any of this, besides being a watchful eye (and having an IEEE login).