Wi-Fi standards are constantly increasing the speed in which data is transmitted over networks and with the recently introduced plans of WiGig products, Wi-Fi is going to be even faster with Qualcomm's latest announcement of their MU-Mimo (multi-user, multiple input, and multiple output) technology.
MU-Mimo is a breakthrough in wireless networking. The way Wi-Fi access points work now is comparable to a lunch line. People get served one at a time while the others wait. MU-Mimo, which has taken seven years to research and develop, allows data to be sent to multiple groups of users at the same time using algorithms that change to suit the situation. The company has stated that "Using MU-MIMO is like using the carpool lane: the Wi-Fi Highway doesn't change, but grouping up with other users lets you go much faster while de-congesting the other lanes."
Qualcomm claims that when the network and its users are using MU-Mimo, that network speeds will increase two to three times. Although, devices without the technology will still see an improvement, but not as significant as those using MU-Mimo, as Todd Antes, the VP of Product Management at Qualcomm's Atheros unit, states.
Qualcomm plans to sell their MU-Mimo chips to manufacturers of wireless routers, access points, smartphones, tablets, and other electronics that use Wi-Fi. They also plan on showing off this new technology in a few months before they begin to ship to customers in early-Q1 of 2015.
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