Wi-Fi Alliance Speeds Up its Product Certification Process with QuickTrack

The Wi-Fi Alliance has announced a new method of certification, QuickTrack, which is designed to simplify and speed up the process, whilst also reducing the cost of receiving the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED product certification. It provides tailored testing options, ensuring that all devices, from access points to IoT devices, going through the process can be certified. Wi-Fi Alliance member companies (which now number over 800) can use Qualified Solutions that have undergone the required testing, such as modules and chipsets, to develop new products. This helps to build upon already certified products, bringing new ones to the market faster and at a lower cost. This eliminates the redundant testing of already certified core components. QuickTrack offers the ability for members to perform testing at their own site, or at an Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL).

With the addition of QuickTrack, the Wi-Fi Alliance now offers three methods of testing and certification, ensuring that all members can acquire the certification through the method that most suits them. Different product development approaches can now be better supported, such as creating a product with original components and rebranding original products from other companies. QuickTrack is designed for products that are based on Qualified Solutions that have completed the core testing, allowing for modifications and targeting changes to the components and functionality. Testing can be completed in-house or at an ATL. FlexTrack is designed for differentiated products that are built from the ground up, allowing for flexibility, customization, and optimization of the product. Testing must be completed at an ATL. Derivative testing is designed for multiple products with identical designs, for example, a module from one vendor designed for multiple devices from other vendors. Members do not need to complete full testing, instead applying for certification of each derivative product.

The QuickTrack process for members includes choosing a Qualified Solution, developing a product, completing the conformance test, reporting results to Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi Alliance verifying these results, and Wi-Fi Alliance issuing certification. Members can download the QuickTrack Test Tool software to a platform, such as a computer, without the need for purchasing a costly test bed. Product performance test can be ran based on a Qualified Solution. This method can be integrated into the product development processes, decreasing the time taken for certification and bring a product to the market. Customization of antennas, operating systems, physical interfaces, and radio-frequency (RF) components can also be performed. Programs within the Wi-F Alliance that are currently eligible for QuickTrack include Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED ac, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED n, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA2, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED WPA3, Wi-Fi Agile Multiband, Protected Management Frames, and Wi-Fi Enhanced Open.

Members that are eligible for QuickTrack include Sponsor, Contributor, Affiliate, and Small Business Introductory Participant members, and they can either use an ATL or become a Member Conformance Test Laboratory (MCTL) to perform testing in-house. The members that have provided the first Qualified Solutions that are serving as a basis for the creation and certification of QuickTrack products include ASR Microelectronics’ Wi-Fi ComBo Module and Wi-Fi Module, Intel’s Wi-Fi 6E AX210, Microchip’s Wi-Fi SoC and Module Family, and Qualcomm’s 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E SoC for Module and Compute.

Microchips Wi-Fi SoC and Module Family and Midea Group’s IoT Application, which will be used to certify secure and interoperable IoT and smart appliances in China have been the first products that have been certified via the QuickTrack method. The first ATL to provide QuickTrack certification for members is the State Radio Monitoring Center Testing Center (SRTC) in China, which is a global testing and calibration laboratory. It offers testing equipment, quality management systems, technicians, and technical capabilities, covering RF, protocols, electrical safety, electromagnetic exposure, information safety, calibration, and more.

This new method of certification will improve the process for companies looking to bring their products to the market faster and at a cheaper cost. This will enable new products, such as new Wi-Fi 6E chipsets, to quickly reach new devices, ensuring that consumer and enterprise users have access to the latest technology with the improved features as soon as possible. With the increasing numbers of Wi-Fi-enabled devices reaching the market, causing challenges related to getting certification, it is vital that companies investigate if QuickTrack is the ideal method for certification of new products, enabling them to offer the latest technology as soon as possible at a cheaper cost and remain competitive.