TR-398 Issue 4 Compliance Made Simple with WiCheck

As Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) begins its global rollout, the demand for consistent, high-performance wireless connectivity is stronger than ever. Whether it’s smart homes, enterprise networks, or public infrastructure, the expectations are clear—networks must be fast, scalable, and reliable. To meet these growing demands, service providers, OEMs, and test labs need to validate their solutions against trusted industry benchmarks. The TR-398 Issue 4 test plan introduces key test cases that assess the real performance of next-generation devices—WiCheck.

The Broadband Forum's TR-398 Issue 4 addresses it. This latest update introduces advanced performance benchmarks that cater specifically to the capabilities of Wi-Fi 7. For companies aiming to stay ahead of the curve, Alethea’s WiCheck offers a comprehensive, scalable, and automation-driven testing platform purpose-built for TR-398 Issue 4 and beyond.

What is TR-398 Issue 4?

TR-398 is a performance testing standard developed by the Broadband Forum to evaluate the real-world capabilities of Wi-Fi access points (APs) in home and enterprise environments. Unlike theoretical lab tests, TR-398 simulates realistic usage scenarios to assess how APs perform under load, across mixed devices, and in diverse conditions.

Issue 4 of this test plan takes it a step further by incorporating critical features unique to Wi-Fi 7, including:

• 4096-QAM (4K QAM) – for higher data rates.

• 320 MHz channels – for wider bandwidth and improved throughput.

• Preamble Puncturing – to use fragmented channels more efficiently.

• APs and clients can operate over many bands at once thanks to Multi-Link Operation (MLO).

These additions make TR-398 Issue 4 a powerful validation framework, helping vendors prove their devices are ready for real-world deployment.

The Significance of TR-398 Issue 4 for the Achievement of Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7 introduces significant advancements in speed, latency reduction, and spectrum efficiency. But to deliver on these promises, devices must be tested against realistic, mixed-use environments. TR-398 Issue 4 addresses exactly that.

It helps answer key questions like:

• Can your AP maintain stable throughput as client counts increase?

• How do legacy and next-gen clients coexist on the same network?

• Does the device leverage features like MLO effectively?

• What happens to signal strength and reliability in congested conditions?

By following this test standard, vendors and service providers can optimize quality control, ensure interoperability, and deliver seamless connectivity across user scenarios.

Meet WiCheck: The Ideal Platform for TR-398 Issue 4 Testing

To address the complexity of TR-398 Issue 4, traditional test tools simply aren’t enough. Alethea's WiCheck was designed from the ground up to facilitate large-scale Wi-Fi 7 testing.

WiCheck combines a robust test framework with real-world emulation, allowing users to simulate hundreds of clients, validate peak performance, and identify edge-case failures—all with automated, repeatable results.

It’s designed for:

• Access point manufacturers

• Service providers

• Chipset vendors

• Wireless test labs

Whether you're conducting performance validation, regression testing, or compliance audits, WiCheck offers the tools and flexibility to meet your goals.

WiCheck TR-398 Issue 4 Test Pack Key Features

WiCheck’s TR-398 Test Pack integrates software and hardware to deliver an efficient, standards-aligned testing process. Here’s how it stands out:

One-Click Automation

WiCheck lets users run full TR-398 test scripts with minimal setup. Whether you’re testing one device or multiple, you can get accurate, repeatable results within minutes, not hours.

Interactive Test Mode

For deeper exploration, users can adjust test parameters on the fly. This is ideal for debugging, fine-tuning AP settings, or simulating custom traffic patterns.

Full Wi-Fi 7 Feature Support

From MLO and 320 MHz channels to preamble puncturing and 4K QAM, WiCheck validates all new Wi-Fi 7 capabilities required by TR-398 Issue 4.

Real-World Emulation

Emulate dozens—or even hundreds—of legacy and Wi-Fi 7 clients in a single test environment. Perform scalability tests, coexistence evaluations, and multi-AP mesh scenarios.

Advanced Diagnostics

With AI/ML-powered log analysis, engineers can pinpoint issues faster, generate actionable insights, and reduce time-to-fix.

Built-in RF Calibration

Environmental factors matter. WiCheck offers built-in calibration for repeatable testing conditions, ensuring consistency across test runs.

Scalable Architecture

Need to test 3-node mesh systems? Or scale up to 256 clients? WiCheck supports it. The platform grows with your test needs.

Beyond TR-398: Prepare for What’s Next

TR-398 Issue 4 is just the beginning. WiCheck helps organizations prepare for future Wi-Fi 7 use cases and evolving standards. It includes 350+ pre-built test cases, covering advanced configurations and stress conditions.

Advanced Capabilities Include:

• MLMR STR and EMLSR MLO configurations

• 4x4 tri-band sniffer for detailed traffic analysis

• Noise generator testing for interference scenarios

• Peak throughput & latency testing at scale

Whether you’re evaluating enterprise-grade routers or carrier-grade APs, WiCheck delivers unmatched depth and flexibility in testing.

Alethea’s Proven Leadership in Wi-Fi Testing

At Alethea, we don’t just follow standards—we help shape them.

Our close collaboration with the Broadband Forum and participation in interoperability programs like UNH-IOL reflects our deep commitment to improving Wi-Fi testing methodologies.

Highlights:

• Early implementation of TR-398 Issue 4 test cases

• Successful global deployments across service providers and OEMs

• Leadership in Wi-Fi 7 feature validation

• Real-world client testing and mesh scalability assessments

We’ve already demonstrated support for the most critical Wi-Fi 7 features: MLO, 4K QAM, 320 MHz channels, OFDMA, and more. And our engineering teams continue to align WiCheck with the industry’s evolving needs. Alethea provides the much anticipated comprehensive WiFi7 Testing Solution. Among other things, WiCheck provides completely automated Test Packs and a great deal of control.

Real-World Impact: Why Customers Choose WiCheck

WiCheck is used by top OEMs and operators because it provides:

• Reliable benchmarking under real network conditions

• Faster product validation cycles

• Confidence in compliance and performance claims

By adopting WiCheck, companies avoid fragmented testing setups and inconsistent results. Instead, they gain a centralized, automated, and standards-based platform to accelerate product readiness.

TR-398 Issue 4 + WiCheck = Future-Ready Wi-Fi Testing

As the Wi-Fi 7 ecosystem grows, so does the need for rigorous and reliable testing. TR-398 Issue 4 sets the performance bar for next-gen devices, and WiCheck ensures vendors can reach—and exceed—it.

If you’re a service provider preparing for deployment, or an OEM optimizing new devices, WiCheck is the tool that can help you achieve compliance, reduce testing complexity, and improve performance across the board.

Alethea provides the much-anticipated comprehensive WiFi7 Testing Solution. WiCheck offers extensive control and fully automated Test Packs, and more.