A new group has formed at the Telecom Infra Project to speed the introduction of commercial Wi-Fi devices for the 6 GHz band. Broadcom, Cisco and Facebook are leading the creation of the Open Automated Frequency Coordination (Open AFC) Software Group. The purpose of the project group is to develop a common reference open source software for an AFC system, based on a system developed by Facebook. The AFC will be used by unlicensed devices in the newly available 6 GHz band to operate outdoors and for increased range indoors while ensuring incumbent services in the band are protected.
The US, EU, Canada and Brazil, among others, have approved or are finalizing the approval of 6 GHz unlicensed spectrum use, opening up a huge bandwidth for Wi-Fi services. The FCC is the first regulator to enable its use under an AFC, ISED Canada authorized standard power with AFC in May, and other countries are expected to follow. The AFC will enhance Wi-Fi to provide a consistent wireless broadband user experience in stadiums, homes, enterprises, schools, and hospitals, the companies said.
Facebook developed a proof of concept Open AFC system to protect 6 GHz incumbent operations and enable faster adoption of standard power operations in the 6 GHz band. This prototype system will be contributed to the TIP community through the Open AFC Software Group, with the goal of enabling the proliferation of standard power devices in the US to start, with other markets to follow.
Broadcom and Cisco have committed to developing Open AFC to ensure that the code continues to be developed to meet the needs of industry and regulators, so that an AFC operator can take the code and build upon it for rapid certification of new devices.
