Introduction
This article explains what the Wi-Fi technology package covers in IPlytics, the data sources behind it, and how customers can use it for SEP and standards analysis.
A technology package (also called a feature package) is a curated collection of patents covering a specific technology standard - for example, Wi-Fi 7, 5G, or HEVC video compression. Rather than constructing a patent search from scratch, users of the IPlytics platform can access these packages directly to immediately explore which companies hold relevant patents, how many patents exist in the landscape, and which may be essential to a given standard.
The Wi-Fi technology package covers key IEEE 802.11 generations: Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6/6E (802.11ax), and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be). The Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, and Wi-Fi 6 undeclared landscapes are released. Wi-Fi 7 undeclared SEP data and related platform functionality are also released, having gone to production on February 25, 2026.
Please note: Access may depend on your subscription and platform configuration.
What The Package Covers
The package combines declared SEP data, IEEE 802.11 contribution information, patent pool and IEEE Letters of Assurance reference points where available, and classifier-based undeclared patent landscapes. This gives users a broader view of Wi-Fi patent activity than declaration data alone.
| Generation | What It Covers | Typical Relevance |
| Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | Wi-Fi 4 introduced MIMO to improve WLAN speed, reliability, and range across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz operation. | Legacy routers and access points, older client devices, and baseline connectivity in established infrastructure. |
| Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 operates in the 5 GHz spectrum and improved throughput, bandwidth, and latency compared with Wi-Fi 4. | Mainstream consumer routers, laptops, and smart-home devices needing higher throughput than Wi-Fi 4. |
| Wi-Fi 6/6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 was designed for dense environments with many connected devices. It improves capacity, efficiency, and coverage using technologies such as OFDMA and target wake time, with Wi-Fi 6E extending operation into the 6 GHz band. | Enterprise and dense-deployment networks, IoT-heavy environments, and smartphones or laptops requiring improved capacity and efficiency. |
| Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | Wi-Fi 7 is the latest Wi-Fi generation. It is designed for higher data transfer speeds, lower latency, and improved efficiency across the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. | Next-generation routers, AR/VR, gaming, and other high-bandwidth, low-latency applications. |
What Users Can Analyze
- Search and filter declared Standard Essential Patents by Wi-Fi generation using the Technology Generation field.
- Review undeclared patent landscapes identified through classifier-based analysis and refined by SME review and customer feedback.
- Explore Wi-Fi 7 undeclared SEP coverage, including generation-specific drop-down and filter functionality released in version 5.3.4.
- Review ownership rankings and benchmark portfolios across companies and Wi-Fi generations, using declared, undeclared, and IEEE contribution data.
- Search IEEE 802.11 technical contributions and apply Contribution Weight metrics to normalize joint submissions.
- Export row-level search results and use the Analytics View for visual breakdowns and comparisons.
Why It Matters
Wi-Fi is a foundational connectivity technology across consumer electronics, enterprise networks, smart homes, connected venues, factories, vehicles, and IoT environments. Formal declaration and patent pool information alone does not provide a complete view of the Wi-Fi SEP landscape. The Wi-Fi technology package helps customers compare declared and undeclared patent activity, review contribution patterns, identify relevant companies and patent families, and prioritize deeper patent analysis.
Common Use Cases
- Licensing preparation: understand declared and undeclared Wi-Fi patent landscapes before licensing discussions.
- Portfolio valuation: assess patent strength and contribution activity across Wi-Fi generations.
- Competitive intelligence: compare declared vs. undeclared holdings and contribution weight across companies.
- Standards strategy: track where IEEE 802.11 contribution activity concentrates by working group and generation.
- Technology strategy: identify where patenting activity concentrates across Wi-Fi 4 through Wi-Fi 7.
Important Scope Note
| Undeclared landscapes in IPlytics are research and prioritization tools. They help identify patents that may be relevant to a Wi-Fi generation, but they do not determine legal essentiality or replace a legal or technical claim-chart review. |
How To Request Access
The Wi-Fi technology package is a licensed add-on to the IPlytics Platform. Access is not included automatically in every standard platform subscription.
To request access, contact your IPlytics account manager or reach out to the IPlytics team here.