802.11ac Wi-Fi: Explained Simply and Why It’s Awesome
Let’s talk about the latest and greatest WiFi technology: 802.11ac. It’s supposed to be way faster than the current leader, 802.11n. But have you ever wondered why it’s called that? Yeah, me too.
The thing is, 802.11ac isn’t just about speed. It also introduces some cool new breakthroughs. So, let me break it down for you.
Contents
10 Smart Routers to Solve All Your WiFi Problems
These days, our lives revolve around the internet. We’re online more than we’re offline. And that’s where WiFi comes in. If you’re looking for a solution to all your WiFi troubles, check this out.
Understanding 802.11ac Made Easy
When it comes to Wi-Fi, there’s a lot of jargon that can make your head spin. But don’t worry, I’m here to break it down for you! Let’s talk about 802.11ac, also known as Wireless-AC or Gigabit Wi-Fi. This fancy term basically means super-fast internet.
You see, Wi-Fi standards used to be measured in Megabits, which is a fancy way of saying “kinda slow.” But now, with 802.11ac, we’re talking about Giga-speeds. And what’s a Giga? Well, it’s 1024 Megas! So, you can imagine just how fast that is!
In fact, 802.11ac is about three times faster than its predecessor, Wireless-N. That’s a whole lot of speed packed into one tiny little Wi-Fi signal!
But here’s the thing: the speeds I’m about to talk about are just the fastest ones you could possibly get, in theory. See, there are a bunch of things that could slow down your internet connection.
What slows me down?
Well, a few different things can play a part in slowing down your internet speed. Here are some examples:
- Signals from other types of radios messing with the airwaves
- Too many devices all fighting for the same Wi-Fi connection
- Walls or other barriers blocking the signal
- The distance between you and the Wi-Fi router
- A bunch of other people in your area all using the same Wi-Fi channel
These factors can be pretty tricky to fix completely. The way wireless-AC gets around it is by beefing up the hardware and adding new technology to, basically, overpower the problems.
Super-Fast Internet
I’m going to break down the concept of Wireless-AC for you. Instead of going into technical details, let’s imagine it as a highway with lanes. You see, Wireless-AC has a wider bandwidth with 80 MHz (and sometimes even 160 MHz if you choose). In comparison, Wireless-N only had 20 or 40 MHz available.
Think of these MHz as lanes on the highway. With 20 MHz, you have 2 lanes, but with 80 MHz, you get a whopping 8 lanes! More lanes mean more data can flow through at the same time. This allows you to maximize your connection speed and enjoy a faster internet experience!
The Busy Airwaves
Did you know that wireless-AC operates on a different frequency band than most devices? Rather than the crowded 2.4 GHz band, it uses the less congested 5 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is swarming with signals from cordless phones, Bluetooth headsets, baby monitors, and all sorts of wireless gadgets found in your home.
Although most products stick with the 2.4 GHz band because of its broader range, the higher frequency of 5 GHz has limitations. It doesn’t travel as far and struggles to penetrate solid objects.
Bring on the Beamforming
But fear not! Wireless-AC has a trick up its sleeve called “Beamforming.” Imagine wireless technology as a wave emanating from your router. Beamforming allows the router to focus the wave in your direction, overcoming the limitations imposed by the 5 GHz band.
Have you ever wondered how your Wi-Fi signal reaches all the corners of your house? It’s thanks to a clever technique called beamforming. Instead of spreading the signal in all directions, beamforming focuses on a specific direction, making it stronger and more reliable.
The secret behind beamforming lies in the use of multiple antennas. By using more than one transmitting antenna, the Wi-Fi device can concentrate the signal towards the intended recipient. It’s like shouting directly at someone instead of shouting loudly in a crowd.
But what’s the benefit of this? Well, imagine you’re sitting in a room far away from your router. Without beamforming, your Wi-Fi signal would have to travel through walls, furniture, and other obstacles, losing strength along the way. But with beamforming, your Wi-Fi device can send a strong, focused signal that can bypass some of these obstacles, giving you a better, faster connection.
And the best part? Beamforming achieves all this without using any extra power. That’s right, it’s like having a super-powered Wi-Fi without a higher electricity bill.
In conclusion, beamforming is like having a superpower for your Wi-Fi. By focusing on a specific direction and using multiple antennas, it strengthens your signal and improves your connection. So next time you enjoy a seamless browsing experience or stream your favorite show without interruption, remember the magic of beamforming behind it all.
MU-MIMO: Supercharging Your Wi-Fi
I’m excited to introduce you to a cutting-edge Wi-Fi technology called MU-MIMO – short for Multi User – Multi Input Multi Output. While MIMO has been around for a while, MU-MIMO takes things to a whole new level by allowing your router to communicate with up to four devices simultaneously! That’s right, no more waiting your turn to connect – now, it’s a party where everyone gets to join in at the same time.
The Power of Wireless-AC
The world around us is going wireless, with more and more devices like Smart TVs, gaming consoles, wearables, and even smart locks relying on Wi-Fi for their functions. Thankfully, with the advanced capabilities of Wireless-AC, these devices can all coexist smoothly on your network. Wireless-AC excels at handling multiple connections and reducing interference, ensuring that all your devices can communicate seamlessly.
Let me tell you something important: if you don’t have really fast internet, 802.11ac won’t make your wireless device surf the web any faster. But don’t worry, it’s not useless! It’s actually amazing at doing other things like streaming HD videos, playing games, syncing devices, backing up your stuff, and sharing large files with others on the same network.
What devices use 802.11ac?
Some of the devices that have 802.11ac are Apple’s latest MacBook Air, the new ASUS G75VW (coming soon), the feature-packed Samsung Galaxy S4, the HTC One, and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Mega.
There are also a bunch of companies like D-Link, Netgear, Linksys, Belkin, Buffalo, and ASUS that sell routers with both 802.11ac and the older wireless-N. And guess what? Apple’s new AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule also support wireless-AC now.
If you have an older device, don’t worry – wireless-AC is designed to work with them too. But if you want to experience the full power of wireless-AC, you’ll need a device that can take advantage of it.
For desktop PC users, ASUS offers a PCIE network adapter that’s perfect for your motherboard. And if you have a laptop, you can get USB solutions from ASUS and Netgear to bring wireless-AC capabilities to your device.
Remember, it’s always a good idea to read reviews before purchasing any of these devices. That way, you can make sure you won’t run into any problems.
So, what’s the bottom line?
Total compatibility with older devices is one of the perks of wireless-AC. But to make the most of it, you’ll need the right equipment. Whether you have a desktop PC or a laptop, there are options available to bring wireless-AC into your life. Just remember to do your research before making any purchases.
When it comes to price, wireless-AC routers aren’t much pricier than current routers. However, there are only a few wireless AC devices available on the market. It’s important to note that 802.11ac hasn’t been officially finalized yet, and the devices currently on the market are based on working drafts.
Remember when 802.11n was first released? The same thing is happening now with wireless-AC. So, the wireless-AC devices you purchase may not work to their full potential until the technology is finalized.
