Qualcomm today announced two components that should improve how WiFi hotspots and mobile devices work with one another.
The first piece of the puzzle is the IPQ8074 system-on-a-chip for gateways and routers. Qualcomm says the IPQ8074 improves network capacity by a factor of four through 12-streams (eight 5 GHz and four 2.4 GHz), 8×8 MU-MIMO, 80 MHz channels. The complete SoC includes an 802.11ax radio, MAC and baseband, plus a quad-core 64-bit A53 CPU and dual-core network accelerator to provide a fully-offloaded 11ax subsystem. Qualcomm manages all this with its WiFi Self-Organizing Network to help ease installation pains, reduce dead spots, and optimize traffic. The IPQ8074 works hand-in-hand with the QCA6290 SoC for devices.
The QCA6290 can take advantage of all that the IPQ8074 offers for peak speeds of 1.8 Gbps by using both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands together with 1024 QAM. All this, according to Qualcomm, can help boost capacity and speed while also cutting back on power requirements by as much as two-thirds.
IPQ8074 KEY FEATURES
The IPQ8074 is a highly-integrated SoC designed to deliver maximum capacity, range and performance for the next generation of enterprise access points, carrier gateways and consumer routers.
- Up to 4x capacity to maximize network performance*: Utilizing a 12×12 configuration, uplink and downlink MU-MIMO, and supporting eight 80 MHz streams, the IPQ8074 quadruples capacity, delivers up to 4.8 Gbps, and maintains fast connections over larger coverage areas.
- Smart features for seamless connectivity: In addition to Qualcomm® Wi-Fi Self-Organizing Network (SON), which simplifies installation, optimizes traffic, and reduces dead spots, the IPQ8074 offers unique features to reduce harmful interference in dense areas with many overlapping Wi-Fi access points.
- All-in-one platform: Integrates an 11ax radio, MAC and baseband, plus a quad-core 64-bit A53 CPU and dual-core network accelerator to provide a fully-offloaded 11ax subsystem. The 14nm design provides power and size advantages, while a wide range of external WAN and media interfaces allows customers to build a full portfolio of 802.11ax products.
QCA6290 KEY FEATURES
The QCA6290 is a state-of-the-art 802.11ax client device SoC offering unprecedented throughput, battery-life and rich user experiences in homes, enterprises, public venues and other high-traffic areas, and automobiles.
- Up to 4x increase in user throughput in crowded networks*: Supports 2×2 MU-MIMO and realizes the full benefits of the 8×8 MU-MIMO by supporting the advanced 8×8 sounding mechanism.
- Ultra-fast Gigabit speed for richer user experiences: Offers up to 1.8 Gbps peak speeds through Dual Band Simultaneous (DBS) combining 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, and higher order modulation (1024 QAM).
- Reduces power consumption by 2/3rd* through Qualcomm Technologies’ specific optimizations, in addition to the support for the 802.11ax standard power save features.
Qualcomm says the IPQ8074 and QCA6290 will sample at some point during the first half of the year. The company didn’t say when the combo will reach routers and mobile devices.
