Recent Developments in Wi-Fi Alliance Standards for Peer-to-Peer While Connected

The WiFi Alliance plays a key role in setting standards for wireless communication technologies. While there haven’t been any groundbreaking announcements in the last 6 months specifically about using peer-to-peer (P2P) while connected to an infrastructure network (like a home Wi-Fi router), there are ongoing efforts to improve coexistence and overall Wi-Fi functionality that could indirectly benefit this use case. Here’s a breakdown:

• Wi-Fi 6E: Released in 2021, Wi-Fi 6E utilizes the 6 GHz band, offering more channels and potentially less congestion. This could improve the overall performance of P2P connections even when a device is also connected to a traditional network.
• Wi-Fi CERTIFIED EasyMesh™: This standard focuses on seamless roaming between multiple access points in a mesh network. While not directly related to P2P, the improved network management and prioritization features could potentially benefit P2P connections by ensuring they get sufficient bandwidth when needed.
• WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3): This enhanced security standard offers improved protection for all Wi-Fi connections, including P2P. While not directly impacting functionality, it strengthens overall security for P2P data transfers.

Looking Forward:

The WiFi Alliance continues to work on advancements in Wi-Fi technology. Here are some potential future developments that could specifically address P2P while connected:

• Improved Resource Management: Standards that allow devices to intelligently manage resources and prioritize network traffic for different types of connections, including P2P data transfers.
• Coexistence Mechanisms: Further development of protocols to ensure smooth operation of P2P connections alongside traditional Wi-Fi traffic.

Alternative Sources:

While the provided sources (WiFi Alliance and IEEE 802.11) are excellent starting points, here are some additional resources for staying updated on Wi-Fi Alliance developments:

• WiFi Alliance News & Events: https://www.wi-fi.org/news-events
• Wi-Fi Alliance Technical Resources: https://www.wi-fi.org/ (This section includes white papers and technical documents)
• Industry publications and websites focusing on networking technologies.

By staying informed about the WiFi Alliance’s ongoing efforts, you can gain insights into future advancements that might facilitate the seamless use of P2P connections while connected to a traditional Wi-Fi network.