Overview & Scope

The standard IEEE 802.15.6^TM –2012 Wireless Body Area Networks (BANs) aimed to solve issues related to use cases of Human Body Area Networks (HBAN). The Amendment IEEE 802.15.6a addresses higher reliability of HBANs performance and adds Vehicle Area Networks (VBAN) support.

The amendment enhances the Ultra-Wideband (UWB) Physical Layer (PHY) and Medium Access Control (MAC) to support higher dependability of HBANs and VBANs applications in high-density scenarios while coexisting with other wireless systems operating in the UWB band.

Target areas of enhancement include protection against interference from BANs systems and other wireless systems operating within transmission range in the UWB band. A simple and more reliable MAC protocol compared to IEEE 802.15.6.

Other areas of enhancement include mechanisms to support higher performance, security, coexistence, and efficiency in the operation and maintenance of HBANs and VBANs. The amendment incorporates support for infrastructure protocols such as Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) for reliable transmission of BAN information across different networks.

VBAN applications operate under strict compliance to standards and limits for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) from vehicle's electric and electronic systems.

The purpose of the amendment IEEE 802.15.6a is to provide an international standard for short-range, low power, secure, highly reliable wireless communication system for use in proximity to or on the human body or vehicle body. Technical features offer to satisfy an evolutionary set of entertainment, autonomous control, and healthcare services.

TG6a Documents

• TG6a documents are available on the IEEE 802.15 Mentor archive.


• Project Authorization Request PAR.


• Technical Requirements Document TRD.


• Channel Models Document TBD.


• Call for Proposals TBD.


• Specification Framework Document TBD.

TG6a Sessions

TG6a meets during 802.15 Plenary and Interim meetings and TG6a ad hoc meetings.

• 802.15 meetings schedule.


• 802.15 meetings calendar.


• TG6a meeting agendas are available on the IEEE 802.15 Mentor archive.


• TG6a meeting closing reports are available on the IEEE 802.15 Mentor archive.


• TG6a meeting minutes are available on the IEEE 802.15 Mentor archive.

TG6a Timeline

• TG formation: September 2021


• Use cases & Technical Requirements: January 2022


• Call for proposals: TBD


• Specification Framework Document: TBD


• Draft Specification: TBD


• 802.15 Working Group Letter ballot: TBD


• IEEE Standards Association Sponsor ballot: TBD


• RevComm approval: December 2023

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