Engineering The Future Of Wireless: Inside The Promise And Power Of Wi-Fi 8

As Wi-Fi 8 approaches, the next evolution in wireless connectivity is poised to transform not just speed, but the intelligence and efficiency of networking systems. Qorvo Connectivity Product Line Directors Kevin Gallagher and Wayne Polonio share their insights on what this means for engineers designing the next generation of connected devices.

While Wi-Fi 7 focused on boosting data rates, Wi-Fi 8 emphasizes coordination, adaptability, and power-aware performance. It expands the upper frequency band from 7.125 GHz to 7.25 GHz—enabling new 320 MHz and 160 MHz channels for reduced interference and enhanced throughput. Beyond bandwidth, Wi-Fi 8 introduces multi-access point (multi-AP) coordination, allowing routers and access points to work in harmony for seamless transitions, lower latency, and optimized coverage.

For customer premises equipment (CPE) and mobile device designers, these upgrades require new approaches. Adaptive transmission and dynamic front-end modes are becoming essential for balancing range, thermal management, and power efficiency. With regional design variations—from higher output power in some markets to lower current draw in others—front-end module (FEM) flexibility is critical.

Engineers face challenges in thermal management, coexistence filtering, and multi-mode complexity. To meet these, Qorvo is focusing on flexibility, integration, and efficiency—leveraging multi-mode FEMs, iFEMs, and advanced materials to reduce power use and improve performance.

Ultimately, Wi-Fi 8 represents an evolution toward smarter, more efficient wireless systems. For engineers, the key will be designing for adaptability, spectral coordination, and energy-conscious performance—ensuring readiness for the connected future.