Design and implementation of a Wi-Fi prototype system in TVWS based on IEEE 802.11 af

Driven by the progress of regulations of TVWS worldwide, IEEE 802.11 started a new Task Group af (TGaf) to pursue extension of traditional Wi-Fi to TV White Spaces (TVWS). Wi-Fi in TVWS offers longer distance and broader bandwidth; while maintaining the same user experience of traditional Wi-Fi systems. It is therefore regarded as one of most promising technologies to exploit the market derived from the new regulations of VHF/UHF bands. In this paper, we present the world's first prototype system of Wi-Fi in TVWS based on the TGaf draft specification. The prototype system verifies the PHY and MAC design of TGaf and the database query protocols that is needed for TVWS operation but not in the scope of TGaf. It is demonstrated that, with sufficiently defined MAC protocol and PHY that meets sharp transmission spectrum mask, the developed prototype supports video streaming on single TV channel while well coexisting with primary TV services in the vicinity.