80211bd

802.11bd is an IEEE 802.11 amendment proposed to extend bidirectional, high-frequency wireless communications, with emphasis on the 60 GHz band used by 802.11ad devices. The designation is found in early drafts and discussions describing improvements to link efficiency and turnaround performance in highly directional networks, aiming to enhance overall throughput in short-range scenarios.

The proposed technical focus of 802.11bd includes enhancements to both physical and medium access control layers to support rapid bidirectional transmissions. Key areas under consideration are improved beam training and tracking to maintain alignment between transmitters and receivers, refined scheduling and access mechanisms that minimize latency for uplink and downlink traffic, and methods to reduce guard intervals and overhead in directional links. The amendment also contemplates compatibility options to facilitate operation alongside existing 802.11ad and 802.11ay devices, while introducing optional modes tailored for new bidirectional capabilities.

Status and compatibility: As of its draft stage, 802.11bd had not been ratified as a formal standard. Industry interest existed, with discussions and demonstrations surrounding bidirectional operation and coexistence in the 60 GHz ecosystem. Backward compatibility considerations emphasize support for legacy devices where feasible, alongside pathways for incremental adoption in new equipment.

Applications and impact: If standardized, 802.11bd could enable more efficient short-range high-speed links for use cases such as wireless docking, rapid multimedia transfers, and short-range wireless backhaul in environments where directional 60 GHz links are already deployed. Related standards include 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and 802.11be.