Qorvo has a few things to tell you about WiFi 6

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Qorvo has a few things to tell you about WiFi 6 [Copy link]

Q

As Wi-Fi 6 becomes more common, what do people need to know? What trends are emerging in the market?

A

Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax, is the next generation of Wi-Fi technology. The highlight of Wi-Fi 6 is that it expands on the 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 5 standard to increase data capacity, the number of connected user devices per node, and improve throughput across the entire RF range. The new Wi-Fi 6 standard has theoretical speeds of up to 10 Gbps (when deployed, we expect Wi-Fi 6 to have at least 4 times the throughput of Wi-Fi 5). It also implements Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and operates in full-duplex (uplink and downlink) Multi-User Multiple Input/Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) mode. It supports 12 data streams, each of which can serve multiple devices. These feature improvements can give users 4 times the capacity of current Wi-Fi 5 deployments.

The Wi-Fi Alliance has launched a Wi-Fi 6 certification program for manufacturers to submit designs for certification. This news is amazing, but what is even more amazing is that many market-leading mobile phone manufacturers have completed designs and are now submitting for certification. This has also prompted indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi 6 manufacturers to begin certification and deploy infrastructure with Wi-Fi 6 certified devices. As a result, customers need suppliers to provide them with indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi 6 product portfolios covering front-end solutions and filtering functions. Qorvo's broad portfolio can provide these functions, as well as IoT multi-protocol solutions for Wi-Fi/IoT coexistence issues.

Q

How to maximize the potential of the new Wi-Fi 6 standard and meet certification requirements?

A

As mentioned earlier, the Wi-Fi 6 standard increases data capacity, the number of connected user devices per node, and throughput. However, achieving these capabilities requires the use of devices with improved linearity, improved interference immunity, lower power consumption, and smaller device size. Wi-Fi 6 manufacturers need to use RF front-end devices to meet these parameters if they want to meet the requirements of the certification program.

Q

How can Qorvo help customers gain a competitive advantage when designing products for Wi-Fi 6?

A

RF design in Wi-Fi end products is becoming increasingly complex as data throughput increases (4x over Wi-Fi 5) and the number of users per node increases (4x the capacity of Wi-Fi 5). Not only has the modulation scheme increased to 1024 QAM, achieving 4x the wireless speed of Wi-Fi 5, but receiver sensitivity and power amplifier (PA) linearity have become more challenging.

Tips for overcoming RF challenges:

• Increased QAM (e.g. 1024) means Wi-Fi 6 manufacturers must meet more challenging RF linearity requirements. For some manufacturers, the linearity specification can be as high as -47 dBm error vector magnitude (EVM). To address this challenge, customers can use optimized RF front-end (RFFE) devices with EVM margin to ensure their end products can pass certification.

• As the sensitivity specification increases, the noise figure (NF) of the receive path must be reduced.

• Both 5G and Wi-Fi 6 standards require reduced power consumption. Therefore, the power consumption of the final product needs to be kept to a minimum while meeting the above specifications.

• To address the new coexistence challenges that arise in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, filtering is required.

Once you understand the Wi-Fi 6 standard requirements, you can work with a comprehensive RF applications team that knows how to optimize designs to meet these standards, minimizing the design challenges you may encounter.

Q

What specific products does Qorvo recommend for use in Wi-Fi 6 applications?

A

EVM and noise are key parameters to focus on in Wi-Fi 6 products or applications. EVM is a metric used to quantify the performance of a digital radio transmitter or receiver. Noise (including phase noise), distortion, and spurious signals all degrade EVM performance. Because actual Wi-Fi applications are pulsed (the power amplifier is pulsed on each time data is transmitted, and then pulsed off to save power), designers should focus on the dynamic EVM value in the product data sheet. The dynamic EVM value accurately reflects the operation of the power amplifier in the Wi-Fi system. Therefore, it is best to choose a component that can measure the dynamic EVM level in pulsed mode.

Another recommendation is to choose products that cover both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. These products include embedded filter solutions to address band edge and coexistence issues. We are also developing some new products to address the issues encountered when Wi-Fi 6 extends its range in the 6 GHz band.

Some of the Wi-Fi 6 solutions we offer include:

Product Model	More Information
QPF4506	5 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF4206	2.4 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF4516	5 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF4528	5 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF4228	2.4 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF4588	5 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF4288	2.4 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF7219	2.4 GHz W-Fi Front End
QPF4800	2.4 GHz and 5 GHz W-Fi Front End
885136	2.4 GHz Bandedge Filters
885128	2.4 GHz Coexistence Filters

** For more detailed information about our products, please visit our official website at https://www.qorvo.com/products

These RFFE modules are designed to meet the Wi-Fi 6 standard. They are highly integrated modules with various Wi-Fi 6 system functions.

Q

What makes Qorvo Wi-Fi 6 products stand out?

A

Qorvo provides complete RFFE solutions including filters. We also offer a portfolio that supports highly integrated or fully discrete designs in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Our bandedge filters also help customers extend range in all channels in the 2.4 GHz band. Key benefits provided by these bandedge filters include RF range, quality of service, and immunity to interference from Bluetooth, microwave ovens, cell phones, etc.

Qorvo can integrate all Wi-Fi RFFE and advanced filtering functions into a single deployment device, thereby simplifying RF layout, reducing time to market, and improving overall RF performance by reducing matching and tracking losses.

Another trend in the Wi-Fi 6 market: integration with Wi-Fi and IoT, such as ZigBee, Thread and BLE. The smart home space is converging Wi-Fi and IoT into a single package design or home network, integrating smart home, Internet, lighting control, voice-activated control, home automation and security. Qorvo is proud to be one of the few companies that can provide customers with both technologies in one solution, helping them reduce complexity and design work. We can provide customers with the advantages of integrated Wi-Fi 6 and IoT multiprotocol capabilities, helping them get their products to market faster with confidence.

The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Qorvo US, Inc. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

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Tony’s final words:

We work with customers early in their Wi-Fi 6 designs, helping them reduce time to market with highly integrated, fully featured solutions. Our participation in industry alliances and working groups means we are at the forefront of supporting and leading each standard evolution. We are committed to providing efficient devices, insisting on providing customers with the best equipment and helping them reduce bill of materials costs. It is exciting to help customers successfully launch products - making Wi-Fi wireless connectivity ubiquitous in this seamlessly connected world.