Based on 802.11ac architecture and PHY, 802.11ah is a variant of the wireless protocols targeted for the IoT. The design attempts to optimize for constrained sensor devices that require long battery life and can optimize range and bandwidth. 802.11ah is also referred to as HaLow, which is essentially a play on words with "ha" referring to "ah" backward and low implying low power and lower frequency. Put together, it forms a derivative of "hello".
The intent of the IEEE 802.11ah task group was to create a protocol with extended range for rural communications and offloading cell traffic. The secondary purpose was to use the protocol for low throughput wireless communications in the sub-gigahertz range. The specification was published ...
