since so few of us have 11ac capable client devices, and handheld devices don't need super high speeds ($$$), to me it's moot. And wouldn't pay $100 or more for a WiFi router with 11ac.
sfx2000, I didn't see the MU-MIMO specs stated.
Do you have a link confirming this?
Still seems crippled though with only three streams, even if it does have 4 antenna
MU-MIMO requires more than beam steering. It has a different channel sounding technique and is more complicated and compute intensive than gain type beamforming.It's a logical estimation based on the smart antenna items to be honest...
If one has beam-steering, which is the hard part, MU-MIMO is a given - why have one without the other? Beam-Steering is at the RF/PHY level, MU-MIMO is pre-coding at the MAC into the PHY.
Any performance advantage you get from AC router used with non AC devices is due to better RF design. Non AC clients can't access the higher link rates that open up significant throughput gains, at least with strong to moderate signal levels. How Much Throughput Can You Really Get From An AC Router?To me; the 'AC Hype' is real - the customers I have with AC routers give my older and newer devices much better performance than the RT-N66U I have now.
The extra receive channel for increasing gain has been around and used in two stream products. Whether it actually provides the increased gain that it is capable of all depends on implementation. But it is a known technique and doesn't require anything on the STA side like beamforming does.Supposedly the range is supposed to increase with the 4th antenna - but I don't have hope of that happening outside of a sterile test environment.
At any rate, if the Marvell chipset supports MU-MIMO, Linksys isn't supporting it in this router, this is an AC1900 design.
Jeez, man, what's with you?How do you know this, are you making that call on the basis of the device's name?
Jeez, man, what's with you?
I am not able to say how I know this.
Welcome To SNBForums
SNBForums is a community for anyone who wants to learn about or discuss the latest in wireless routers, network storage and the ins and outs of building and maintaining a small network.
If you'd like to post a question, simply register and have at it!
While you're at it, please check out SmallNetBuilder for product reviews and our famous Router Charts, Ranker and plenty more!