Transitioning from WiFi 6 to WiFi 7: A Metrological Assessment of Human-Centric EMF Exposure and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) Dynamics

This paper presents a comprehensive experimental assessment of electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure dynamics during the transition from IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) to IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7). Using a human-centric experimental setup, we evaluate the impact of Wi-Fi 7's core innovations-4096-QAM modulation, 320 MHz bandwidth, and Multi-Link Operation-under iPerf3-controlled high-traffic conditions. A key contribution of this study is the analysis of multi-client influence, comparing EMF emission profiles when one versus two devices are active. Our results reveal a significant paradigm shift: while Wi-Fi 7 generates higher near-field peaks (up to 955.92 mV/m in MLO mode at 20 cm) to sustain high-order modulation, it exhibits an aggressive spatial decay, with E-field intensity collapsing by up to 76.6% at one meter. We demonstrate that the transition from a single-client to a dual-client configuration significantly alters the stochastic nature of the field, increasing the probability of transient high-power events, as characterized by our Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function (CCDF) framework. The findings confirm that Wi-Fi 7's performance gains are decoupled from long-range exposure; the high-intensity field remains strictly localized, providing a natural safety buffer. This study provides new experimental vista into how next-generation WLAN systems trade near-field strength for far-field safety, maintaining compliance with international limits while supporting multi-device gigabit connectivity.