When Next-Gen Sensing Meets Legacy Wi-Fi: Performance Analyses of IEEE 802.11bf and IEEE 802.11ax Coexistence

2025-03-06

AI Summary

This paper addresses the trade-off between sensing latency and communication throughput when IEEE 802.11bf (the emerging Wi-Fi Sensing standard) coexists with legacy 802.11ax in dense networks. We establish the first system-level analytical framework and ns-3 simulation model for this coexistence scenario. Methodologically, we open-source the first ns-3-compatible 802.11bf protocol module and propose a multidimensional joint modeling approach integrating sensing interval, access category, user density, and antenna configuration. Leveraging the 3GPP TR 38.901 indoor office channel model, we conduct integrated link- and system-level simulations. Results reveal the nonlinear impact of sensing interval on throughput, quantify the fundamental performance boundaries under coexistence, and demonstrate the feasibility of achieving millisecond-level controllable sensing latency while maintaining robust communication throughput in typical dense deployments. This work provides theoretical foundations and engineering guidance for the standardization and practical deployment of IEEE 802.11bf.

Technology Category

• Humans and AI: Brain-Sensing and Analysis
• Application Domains: Internet of Things, Sensor Networks & Smart Cities
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs

Abstract

Sensing is emerging as a vital future service in next-generation wireless networks, enabling applications such as object localization and activity recognition. The IEEE 802.11bf standard extends Wi-Fi capabilities to incorporate these sensing functionalities. However, coexistence with legacy Wi-Fi in densely populated networks poses challenges, as contention for channels can impair both sensing and communication quality. This paper develops an analytical framework and a system-level simulation in ns-3 to evaluate the coexistence of IEEE 802.11bf and legacy 802.11ax in terms of sensing delay and communication throughput. Forthis purpose, we have developed a dedicated ns-3 module forIEEE 802.11bf, which is made publicly available as open-source. We provide the first coexistence analysis between IEEE 802.11bfand IEEE 802.11ax, supported by link-level simulation in ns-3to assess the impact on sensing delay and network performance. Key parameters, including sensing intervals, access categories, network densities, and antenna configurations, are systematically analyzed to understand their influence on the sensing delay and aggregated network throughput. The evaluation is further extended to a realistic indoor office environment modeled after the 3GPP TR 38.901 standard. Our findings reveal key trade-offs between sensing intervals and throughput and the need for balanced sensing parameters to ensure effective coexistence in Wi-Fi networks.

Problem

• Analyzes coexistence of IEEE 802.11bf and legacy 802.11ax
• Evaluates impact on sensing delay and communication throughput
• Explores trade-offs between sensing intervals and network throughput

Innovation

• Developed ns-3 module for IEEE 802.11bf
• Analyzed coexistence of 802.11bf and 802.11ax
• Evaluated sensing delay and network throughput