RFWiFi 4 vs WiFi 5: Key Differences Explained
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This article compares WiFi 4 and WiFi 5, highlighting their differences in max speed, range, and other key parameters.
Introduction to WiFi
WiFi, short for Wireless Fidelity, is also known as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) because its operation is similar to a LAN. The technical specifications for WLAN are defined in the IEEE 802.11 series of standards.
A WiFi network consists of two main components:
- WiFi Router or AP (Access Point): The central hub of the network.
- WiFi Clients or Users: The devices that connect to the network.
The evolution of WiFi includes a series of 802.11 WLAN standards: 802.11b (WiFi 1), 802.11a (WiFi 2), 802.11g (WiFi 3), 802.11n (WiFi 4), 802.11ac (WiFi 5), 802.11ax (WiFi 6), and 802.11be (WiFi 7).
These different WLAN standards have been developed to improve speed, range, and security. WiFi uses multiple access methods to allow multiple devices to communicate on the same network using a single WiFi router simultaneously, as shown in the figure. These methods include:
- CSMA/CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance)
- TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access)
WiFi employs MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) technology, using multiple antennas for transmission and reception. MIMO improves throughput and reduces signal interference.
The Wi-Fi Alliance certifies WiFi products for interoperability and compliance with industry standards. WiFi technology is continuously evolving, bringing faster and more reliable wireless connectivity to homes, businesses, and public spaces.
WiFi 4 (802.11n)
The IEEE 802.11n standard is referred to as WiFi 4 and is the successor to IEEE 802.11g (WiFi 3). This standard introduced MIMO and Beamforming features. It also supports legacy WiFi versions.
Here are the key features of the WiFi 4 standard:
- Operating Frequency Bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
- Modulation Schemes: BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, and 64QAM (Highest)
- Subcarrier Spacing: 312.5 KHz
- Bandwidth: 20 MHz, 40 MHz
- MIMO Configurations: Up to 4 x 4
- MU-MIMO: Not supported
WiFi 5 (802.11ac)
The IEEE 802.11ac standard is referred to as WiFi 5 and is the successor to IEEE 802.11n (WiFi 4). This standard also supports beamforming and multi-user MIMO features. There are two releases in WiFi 5, referred to as Wave 1 and Wave 2.
Key features of the WiFi 5 standard include:
- Operating Frequency Bands: 5 GHz
- Modulation Schemes: BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, and 256 QAM (Highest)
- Subcarrier Spacing: 312.5 KHz
- Channel Bandwidths: 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80+80 MHz, 160 MHz
- MIMO Configurations: Up to 8 x 8
- MU-MIMO: Supported in DL/UL
Difference Between WiFi 4 and WiFi 5
The following table compares WiFi 4 and WiFi 5 using various parameters such as max speed and coverage range:
| Parameters | WiFi 4 | WiFi 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Speed (Maximum Throughput) | 600 Mbps (Using 4x4 MIMO, 40 MHz BW and 400 ns GI) | 6.93 Gbps (Using 8 spatial streams, MCS9 256QAM, Short Guard Interval (GI) and 160 MHz BW) |
| Range | 70 meters (indoor), 250 meters (outdoor) | 80 meters (indoor) |
| IEEE Standard | 802.11n | 802.11ac |
| Operating Frequency | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | 5 GHz only |
| Bandwidth (BW) | 20 MHz, 40 MHz | 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz |
| Data Mapping (PHY Layer) | BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM | BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM and 256 QAM |
| MIMO User Mode | Single User | Single User (802.11ac Wave 1), Multiple Users (802.11ac Wave 2) |
| Spatial Streams | 4 | 3 (11ac Wave 1), 3-4 (11ac Wave 2) |
| Power Consumption | Lower, about 13 Watts | Higher, about 25+ Watts |
| MIMO Antenna Configuration | 4x4 | Upto 8x8 |
Conclusion
From the comparison between WiFi 4 and WiFi 5, we can see that WiFi 5 offers significantly higher maximum speeds (6.93 Gbps) compared to WiFi 4 (600 Mbps), thanks to its advanced PHY parameters and wider channel bandwidths. While WiFi 4 supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, WiFi 5 operates exclusively on the 5 GHz band. As WiFi technology continues to evolve, we can expect even faster speeds and greater ranges in future standards.
