Linksys WRT-3200ACM Rumors - The Big Blue Router hits Wave 2

[thiggins]

It has hit the FCC database. Note the DFS test report.

Test reports indicate 4x4 for 2.4 and 5 GHz. This would normally make it AC2600 class unless they are using 1024 QAM, which I don't think they are.

AC2600 = 2.4 GHz max link rate is 800 Mbps and 5 GHz max rate is 1733.

I think they may be doing some, uh, creative math at the stream level to get to 3200 Mbps. Sorta Like adding link rates of MU-MIMO connections.

This is really bugging me.

 

[sfx2000]

Like I mentioned before - Marvell does some interesting things...

Interesting note 1 from the report...

There are four bandwidth systems.

• For 20MHz bandwidth systems, use Channel 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140, 144, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165.
• For 40MHz bandwidth systems, use Channel 38, 46, 54, 62, 102, 110, 118, 126, 134, 142, 151, 159.
• For 80MHz bandwidth systems, use Channel 42, 58, 106, 122, 138, 155.
• For 160MHz bandwidth systems, use Channel 50, 114.

(comment - see the channel spreads here)

the other interesting note...

1. The EUT has five antennas.
2. The EUT has three radios.

• Radio 1 supports 2.4GHz WLAN TX/RX function,
• Radio 2 supports 5GHz WLAN TX/RX function
• Radio 3 supports Bluetooth TX/RX function and 5GHz WLAN RX function

(comment - this pretty much confirms the extra radio, but look how it's used - neat... RF3 is basically a sounder, just listens/measures/reports when it's not doing bluetooth)

For Radio 1:

• For 2.4GHz WLAN function (4TX/4RX):
• Chain 1: Connect to Ant. 1, Chain 2: Connect to Ant. 2, Chain 3: Connect to Ant. 3, Chain 4: Connect to Ant. 4.
• Chain 1, Chain 2, Chain 3 and Chain 4 could transmit/receive simultaneously.

For Radio 2:

• For 5GHz WLAN function (4TX/4RX):
• Chain 1: Connect to Ant. 1, Chain 2: Connect to Ant. 2, Chain 3: Connect to Ant. 3, Chain 4: Connect to Ant. 4.
• Chain 1, Chain 2, Chain 3 and Chain 4 could transmit/receive simultaneously.

For Radio 3:

• For Bluetooth function (1TX/1RX):
  • Chain 1: Connect to Ant. 5
• Only Chain 1 can be used as transmitting/receiving functions. For 5GHz WLAN function (1RX):
  • Chain 1: Connect to Ant. 5
  • Only Chain 1 can be used as receiving function.

 

[sfx2000]

I think they may be doing some, uh, creative math at the stream level to get to 3200 Mbps. Sorta Like adding link rates of MU-MIMO connections.

This is really bugging me.

The whole marketing number rating system has been bugging me for a long time, as you already know...

My best guess at the moment - when they go 160MHz channels, the best they can do, and this is kind of confirmed with their marketing is AC2600 - which is a 3-stream configuration...

5GHz

BW - 160Mhz
SS - 3
Modulation - 256QAMr5/6
Guard Interval - Short
Phy Datarate - 2600 Mbps
Throughput - 1800 Mbps

2.4GHz

BW - 40Mhz
SS -3
Modulation - 256QAM5/6
Guard Interval - Short
Phy Datarate - 600Mbps
Throughput - well... let's be honest, it's B/G/N space, so realistically... we're really looking at a 20MHz channel with 64QAM and three streams - so expect real world of 216Mbps (TurboQAM in 20MHz channels can do 289Mbps, but I have never seen this in the real-world - on the bench, yes, but not in live production)

So that's how they get the 3200 label...

EDIT - removed 4*4:4 for 2.4Ghz, as this just ain't so...

As a point of reference - see table 2 of the reference link - http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/produc...ies/white_paper_c11-713103.html#_Toc383047841

Looking forward to seeing this thing on the SNB test bench at some future point...

 

[RTN]

http://www.marvell.com/company/news/pressDetail.do?releaseID=6118
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Linksys_WRT3200ACM

 

[thiggins]

WRT3200ACM announced.

 

[sfx2000]

So they stuck with the same 4*4:3 configuration that the other Marvell's have done - should lead to decent range then...

 

[sfx2000]

Anyways...

Linksys/Belkin and the WRT line has, if anything, gained some more attention... but also some very confusing messages about the overall plan for the product line... it's obvious that Linksys is still engaged with this product line, but it does seem to have some project/program management direction issues...

When one looks at things, there's really three generations of WRT's - the WRT1900acV1 (Gen1), the WRT1200ac/1900acV2/1900acs (Gen2) and the WRT3200ACM (Gen3).

HW wise - they're all pretty good - always wondered why the 1200ac even exists, as the BOM just doesn't justify the WRT being in that class...

 

[dilantin22]

Avoiding all the marketing BS of the WRT lineup, Linksys' hardware has been pretty decent. But I'm done with Linksys/Belkin and their software. They literally push a few updates when new hardware comes out for crippling bugs and then entirely forget about it.

On the other hand, I see Netgear, Asus, and Synology pushing security updates at a decently consistent basis for their routers. My WRT1200 hasn't seen an update in over a year while other router vendors have been pushing security updates for XSS attacks and etc. I'm not a complete networking noob, but I dislike having to flash my routers with DDWRT or OpenWRT. And if that's what it takes to get security updates on the WRT lineup, why even bother recommending them to family and friends?

All I'm saying is that it seems Linksys/Belkin are relying way too much on the open source community to do everything for them software wise and when things fail, their answer is "flash with dd-wrt or openwrt". They themselves should be heavily investing in keeping the WRT lineup and keeping the software running fast, lean, and secure.

It just saddens me as Linksys and the old WRT54 were my favorite back in the day.
/rant

 

[sfx2000]

$249.00 on the shelf at Fry's Electronics...

(the 1900acs is $199, the 1200ac is 149, they had all three in stock)

 

[sfx2000]

Big Blue hits the $180 barrier...

Fry's brick and mortar store in San Diego...

 

[FattysGoneWild]

I seen that same deal online black friday/cyber monday. Has not come back since. Maybe as it gets closer to xmas.