Wi-Fi Direct

Wi-Fi Direct is a new technology defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance aimed at enhancing direct device to device communications in Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi Direct can be used to directly connect mobile phones, tablets and PC´s to peripherals such as cameras, printers, gaming devices or a wireless mouse without the need for an access point. Devices can make a one-to-one connection, or a group of several devices can connect.

Wi-Fi Direct one-to-many configuration.

Direct device to device connectivity was already possible in the original IEEE 802.11 standard by means of the ad-hoc mode of operation. However this never became widely deployed. Wi-Fi Direct takes a different approach. In Wi-Fi Direct one of the devices will act as an access point. Thus, legacy Wi-Fi devices may seamlessly connect to Wi-Fi Direct devices.