Multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO)

Multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO)

MU-MIMO is supported in 802.11ac Wave 2 to enable simultaneous data transmission to Wave 2 capable clients, greatly improving overall use of network capacity. In extremely high device-density environments, multiple streams will reach multiple clients at the same time, reducing the data transmission time and opening up more bandwidth for more device connections. It is critical for live video streaming that demands higher bandwidth and lower latency, ensuring a better experience for end users.

4 spatial streams

The 320 series adds a 4^th spatial stream that can boost the single client performance by 33%. However, we don’t realistically expect to see this boost until 4-stream client devices enter the market, which likely won’t be until 2016. The majority of clients will likely have a max of 1-, 2- or 3 streams. With the support of 4x4:3 streams for MU-MIMO, the 320 series will maximize the data throughput of those 1- or 2-stream clients in concert with MU-MIMO, delivering a switch-like experience to the wireless network.