Qualcomm announced a new tech Thursday that will support MU-MIMO (multi user-multiple-input multiple-output) in its future network equipment and mobile chips.
Qualcomm, the renowned chip maker, has come up with a solution to slow download speeds in overcrowded Wi-Fi hotspots. With the latest technology in place, the chipmaker says the new network equipment and mobile chips will triple the download speeds even in the busiest Wi-Fi hotspots. Qualcomm Atheros,the chipmaker's subsidiary, which specializes in developing semiconductors for wireless chipsets, announced Thursday that the new Multi-user multiple input, multiple output (MU-MIMO) algorithms will help achieve efficient 802.11ac Wi-Fi networks by allowing multiple devices connect and stream simultaneously at speeds up to 600Mbps.
The development of the new tech comes after years of experimenting and currently requires compatible devices on both ends of the Wi-Fi network. The MU-MIMO supports Snapdragon 801 mobile processor, which currently powers the HTC One (M8) and the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones, and also Snapdragon 805. The chip maker will begin selling new chips with the new technology to companies that build routers, smartphones, tablets, automotive and smart TVs later this year.
"After seven years of MU-MIMO development and testing, we've gained a deep understanding of real-world channel behavior with this advanced Wi-Fi technology in crowded environments," said Dan Rabinovitsj, Qualcomm Atheros senior vice president, in a press statement. "These insights have led to the creation of our precision-based algorithm technology that, along with technologies like the Qualcomm Internet Processor and StreamBoost, maximizes Wi-Fi performance for all connected devices."
Qualcomm is not a new player in the MU-MIMO space, as rival Quantenna has already built and integrated its own version of MU-MIMO chip in an Asus router. Other companies like Wi-Fi Alliance will also join the race and are expected to start testing the new tech later this year or early next year.
The chip maker is expected to ship the first home networking equipment with its MU-MIMO-integrated chipset by the end of this year or during the first quarter of next year. Equipment for business users will arrive in mid-2015 or later, PC World reports.
