Qualcomm fetes Wi-Fi 6, demonstrates support for new features

Qualcomm Technologies hosted a Wi-Fi 6 Day in San Francisco on Tuesday, announcing its second-generation Wi-Fi 6 networking offerings and touting the momentum that Wi-Fi 6 is seeing across multiple product segments, including mobile, compute and auto.

Qualcomm’s Networking Pro Series actually includes four different platforms: the 1200, 8000, 600 and 400, configured for different scale, format and computing needs. But all of them are built for the dense connectivity requirements of modern Wi-Fi networks, capable of delivering increased network capacity for environments like university lecture halls, malls, stadiums and office buildings.

FastConnect is the name of Qualcomm’s integrated advanced connectivity subsystem spanning Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other non-cellular connectivity technologies within the Snapdragon Mobile and Compute Platforms.

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According to Qualcomm, in addition to core connectivity capability, the FastConnect subsystem delivers a host of features that aims to set new industry benchmarks for faster connections at longer range, smoother video streaming, great gaming experiences, premium audio performance and the highest level of Wi-Fi security commercially available.

The company also announced support for Uplink Multi-User Multi-In Multi-Out (MU-MIMO) for its upcoming next-generation Wi-Fi 6 Qualcomm FastConnect 6800 Subsystem.

MU-MIMO is considered a significant innovation in the Wi-Fi 6 standard. The delivery and management of uplink data traffic is more important for mobile users as applications like live video sharing, online gaming and AR/VR become more popular. According to Qualcomm, it pioneered advanced and practical MU-MIMO designs, and it recently shipped its 750 millionth MU-MIMO-enabled connectivity solution for client devices.

Ruckus, HPE/Aruba, Belkin and Netgear are among those supporting Qualcomm’s Wi-Fi technology in their products.

In the automotive arena, Qualcomm’s Wi-Fi 6 chip, the QCA6696, is its most advanced Wi-Fi solution for fast, secure Wi-Fi connectivity for moving automobiles.

The QCA6696 features dual Wi-Fi 6 multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) access points designed to support Gigabit in-car hotspot and to deliver Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the vehicle; it supports ultra-high definition video streaming on multiple displays, screen mirroring from compatible devices and wireless back-up cameras, as well as Bluetooth 5.1 support and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive audio for high fidelity voice and streaming audio support.

The QCA6696 chip is now sampling and is expected to appear in commercial vehicles in 2021.