AdaptivMIMO provides flexible configurations for WiFi 6

Designed with a high performance, flexible architecture to maximise usage of the 6GHz band, the new product family is optimised for high-throughput WiFi applications, such as access points, gateways, and mesh networking solutions for dense environments and underserved areas.

The QCS-AX2 series is built on an integrated baseband and RF (radio frequency) architecture that supports key WiFi 6E features, such as orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), advanced MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multi-Input, Multi-Output), and 160MHz channel support for faster speeds, and SmartScan channel selection for maximum band utilisation. The new product portfolio will include the following:

• QCS-AX2-A12: tri-band (6GHz/5GHz/2.4GHz) with AdaptivMIMO technology supports flexible 8x8 or 4x4 configurations.
• QCS-AX2-T12: tri-band concurrent 4x4 operation for high performance, cost-effective router solutions.
• QCS-AX2-T8: tri-band concurrent 8-stream configurations for mesh nodes and mainstream access points.

As the Federal Communications Commission anticipates the opening of the 6GHz band in the United States later this year, up to 1,200MHz of newly available spectrum will be designated for WiFi and other unlicensed use. With almost 5 times of spectrum more than the current 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands combined, the 6GHz band is accelerating the development of next generation WiFi 6 applications.

While the 6GHz client ecosystem takes time to build out, WiFi infrastructure devices, such as gateways, routers, and access points will need to continue to support existing dual band (2.4GHz/5GHz) clients; infrastructure applications such as 6GHz backhaul between gateways and mesh nodes will lead deployments.

ON Semiconductor’s WiFi 6E solutions are designed to accommodate the transition to the 6GHz band with AdaptivMIMO technology while addressing mainstream 6GHz applications. A WiFi 6E infrastructure device with AdaptivMIMO allows the network to operate in the 5GHz or 6GHz band depending on the clients present in a subscriber’s home network to maximise performance, coverage, and utilisation. The QCS-AX2 series provides the WiFi performance and connectivity in congested environments to multiple devices that applications demand.

“We are excited about the tremendous opportunities that WiFi 6E opens for the industry. We are in the forefront of building WiFi 6E platforms that enable even better speed, efficiency and performance for the Home, Enterprise, Automotive and IoT segments,” said Irvind Ghai, Vice President of Marketing, Quantenna Connectivity Solutions at ON Semiconductor. “ON Semiconductor is dedicated to innovation in WiFi technology, and will continue to leverage its connectivity excellence to provide end-to-end solutions that accelerate key WiFi 6E ecosystems.”

Simon Duxbury, General Manager & Vice President, Quantenna Connectivity Solutions, ON Semiconductor, said: “Our new generation of QCS-AX2 with AdaptivMIMO allows OEMs fast time-to-market with optimised performance across the 3 bands. As WiFi 6E infrastructure proliferates, it will seed the 6GHz ecosystems. Client devices will also benefit from improved efficiency, lower latency and jitter, and less interference, providing better user experience across applications and environments.”

ON Semiconductor is now sampling the QCS-AX2 solutions to customers.