802.11ac

The 802.11ac builds on 802.11n with a wider RF bandwidth up to 160 MHz, MU-MIMO (multi-user) and more MIMO spatial streams (up to 8) and higher order 256 QAM modulation, and promises more than 3X faster transfer speeds (throughput of 1Gigabit/sec below 6 GHz for multiple stations), more reliable coverage and up to 6X more power efficiency than equivalent 802.11n solutions.

Applications such as Internet sharing, HDTV, Blu-Ray, Interactive gaming, Manufacturing floor automation and Uncompressed / Slightly uncompressed video all require higher data rates and are therefore driving the need for the 802.11ac amendment to the 802.11 standard.

Rohde & Schwarz 802.11ac Test Solutions

Rohde & Schwarz offers a broad range of solutions to solve both component / design and system / production level receiver and transmitter measurement challenges for 802.11ac. This includes test instruments such as the R&S AFG100A/B I/Q modulation generator and R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer, which combined with application specific firmware allow engineers to view and troubleshoot all 802.11ac modulation formats, from BPSK to 256QAM. In addition all signal bandwidths are supported, including 20, 40, 80, 80 +80 and 160 MHz, multi-user MIMO and MIMO modes with up to 8 transmit antennas.