8023i

8023i is a hypothetical extension to the IEEE 802.3 family of Ethernet standards, proposed in discussions of next-generation industrial networking. In these speculative proposals, 8023i aims to combine deterministic timing with power-efficient operation to support real-time control and Internet of Things deployments in industrial and enterprise networks. It is not an officially ratified IEEE standard, and no formal 8023i specification exists as of this writing.

Design concepts include deterministic medium access, potentially leveraging time-sensitive networking (TSN) techniques, scheduled or reserved access windows, and enhanced conditioning for low-latency communication. The standard is also envisioned to support scalable data rates, from fast Ethernet-like speeds to multi-gigabit links, and to preserve compatibility with standard Ethernet framing and addressing.

Physical layer options might include copper twisted-pair and optical fiber, with PoE or PoE+-style power delivery integrated for device maintenance and sensors. Networking features would emphasize interoperability with existing 802.3 devices while providing mechanisms for improved QoS, jitter reduction, and energy management.

Typical use cases include factory automation, robotic control, smart grid sensors, and other environments requiring predictable latency and reliability.

Important caveat: as a hypothetical concept, 8023i lacks formal conformance tests, standard definitions, or governance by the IEEE; readers should not rely on it as a real specification.

See also: IEEE 802.3, Ethernet, TSN.