Understanding Wi-Fi HaLow Duty Cycle: What It Means for Long-Range IoT (With AsiaRF Product Insights)

As the demand for long-range, low-power IoT grows, Wi-Fi HaLow (IEEE 802.11ah) is quickly becoming the go-to wireless standard for industrial automation, smart agriculture, and large-scale sensor networks.
But when designing or deploying HaLow solutions, one key question always appears:

👉 Does Wi-Fi HaLow have duty cycle limits, and how does it impact real-world performance?

In this post, we break down the essentials of HaLow duty cycle, explain regional differences, and show how AsiaRF’s HaLow modules are engineered to comply with global regulations while still delivering long-range, high-efficiency connectivity.

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What Is Duty Cycle in Sub-1GHz Wireless?

In unlicensed Sub-1GHz bands (like 863–870 MHz or 902–928 MHz), some regions impose a duty cycle limit — the maximum percentage of time a device is allowed to transmit within a given period.

For example:

• 1% duty cycle → 36 seconds of transmission per hour
• 0.1% duty cycle → 3.6 seconds per hour
• 10% duty cycle → 6 minutes per hour

These rules aim to reduce interference and ensure fair coexistence with low-power protocols like LoRa and Sigfox.

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Does Wi-Fi HaLow Have Duty Cycle Limits?

The answer depends on the country and spectrum band.

United States (FCC 902–928 MHz) – No Duty Cycle Limits

FCC regulations do not restrict duty cycle for 802.11ah if the device meets spread-spectrum / OFDM requirements.

AsiaRF modules like MM610X-001 (915 MHz) can transmit freely while remaining compliant with Part 15.247.

European Union (863–870 MHz) – Some Duty Cycle Rules Apply

Certain sub-bands enforce 0.1%, 1%, or 10% duty cycle.

However, Wi-Fi HaLow can bypass duty cycle limits by using Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) and Adaptive Frequency Agility (AFA) — both supported by AsiaRF HaLow modules such as MM610X-001.

Asia-Pacific (Japan, Korea, China, Australia)

Most regions do not impose strict duty cycle limits, but some require LBT for higher power.

AsiaRF HaLow modules support country-based regulatory domain selection to ensure out-of-box compliance.

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Typical Duty Cycle of Wi-Fi HaLow Devices

Even without regulatory restrictions, real HaLow networks naturally operate at very low duty cycles, thanks to short TX bursts and power-saving features.

AsiaRF HaLow Access Points (AP mode)

• Beacon interval: 100–500 ms
• Typical duty cycle from beacons: 0.03% – 0.1%

AsiaRF HaLow Client Devices (IoT sensors)

• TIM/DTIM and TWT minimize transmissions
• Typical sensor duty cycle: <1%
• Even medium-rate devices (e.g., video sensors) often stay within 5–20% depending on bitrate

This makes HaLow highly suitable for:

• Long-life battery IoT
• Warehouses & factories with thousands of nodes
• EU regions with stricter RF rules

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How AsiaRF Ensures Global Duty Cycle Compliance

AsiaRF’s HaLow modules and system products are engineered with the following features:

✔ Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) Support

Essential for EU operation without duty cycle throttling.

✔ Adaptive Frequency Agility (AFA)

Automatically switches to cleaner channels to stay within legal boundaries.

✔ Configurable Channel Bandwidth (1/2/4/8 MHz)

Allows optimization for throughput vs. airtime usage.

✔ Flexible Beacon Interval & PHY Settings

Reduce unnecessary transmission overhead and improve battery life.

✔ Regulatory Domain Switching

Ensures compliance with FCC, ETSI, ARIB, MIC, and other regional standards.

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Why Wi-Fi HaLow Duty Cycle Matters for IoT Projects

A properly designed HaLow network can offer:

• Kilometers of coverage
• Ultra-low power consumption
• Massive device scalability
• High resistance to interference
• Reliable operation in regulated radio bands

Whether you’re building smart agriculture sensors, warehouse monitoring systems, or industrial robots, understanding duty cycle ensures your product remains compliant and efficient.

With AsiaRF HaLow modules, these regulatory concerns are already handled — letting you focus on building your IoT application, not fighting RF rules.

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Conclusion

Duty cycle rules can look complicated, but Wi-Fi HaLow’s design — combined with AsiaRF’s LBT/AFA-ready modules — makes it straightforward to stay compliant in every region.

If you’re planning to deploy large-scale IoT and need long-range, low-power wireless, Wi-Fi HaLow is ready. And AsiaRF has the modules, antennas, and engineering expertise to build it.

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