What is WiFi 6E Chipset : Features & Top Manufacturers

A WiFi 6E chipset extends WiFi 6 capabilities into the 6 GHz spectrum, providing additional bandwidth, reduced interference, and faster wireless connectivity. These chipsets support next-generation networking applications in smartphones, laptops, access points, gaming devices, and enterprise wireless infrastructure.

Key features

WiFi 6E represents the latest advancement in WiFi 6, expanding the capabilities of the 802.11ax standard to the 6 GHz frequency band. WiFi 6E chipsets are designed to take advantage of this additional spectrum, offering ultra-low latency and improved network efficiency for demanding applications like AR/VR, 8K streaming, and industrial IoT. Leading WiFi 6E chipset manufacturers are at the forefront of this innovation, producing advanced solutions that meet the growing need for high performance wireless connectivity in both consumer and enterprise markets.

What is WiFi 6E?

WiFi 6E extends the operation of WiFi 6 chips based on IEEE 802.11ax into the 6 GHz frequency band. The new chipset offers low latency, high throughput, and higher capacity due to a greater number of channels with 160 MHz bandwidth. WiFi 6E technology adds up to 1200 MHz of extra spectrum to the existing WiFi 6 spectrum. It supports an additional seven non-overlapping channels of 160 MHz in the 6 GHz band.

WiFi 6E supports a different number of channels in various bands for different bandwidths, as shown in the figure:

• 2.4 GHz band: 3 channels (20 MHz), 1 channel (40 MHz), Span: From 2400 to 2483.5 MHz
• 5 GHz band: 25 channels (20 MHz), 12 channels (40 MHz), 6 channels (80 MHz), 2 channels (160 MHz), Span: From 5150 to 5850 MHz
• 6 GHz band: 59 channels (20 MHz), 29 channels (40 MHz), 14 channels (80 MHz), 7 channels (160 MHz), Span: From 5925 to 7125 MHz

Benefits of WiFi 6E over WiFi 6

The benefits of the WiFi 6E standard include:

• Expanded frequency spectrum: Due to the addition of the 6 GHz band with 1200 MHz bandwidth, it adds 7 more channels with 160 MHz wide channels.
• Reduced interference: Due to specific allocation of the 6 GHz band to Wi-Fi 6E devices.
• Lower latency, faster speeds, and higher data throughput.
• Increased network capacity: The extra spectrum significantly boosts network capacity, which allows more devices to be connected simultaneously and provides a smoother and higher-performance experience.

Manufacturers of WiFi 6E Chipsets

The following table lists WiFi 6E chipset manufacturers along with their features and part numbers.

Manufacturers	WiFi 6E Chipset with features
Broadcomm	• Model : BCM4389 • First Wi-Fi 6E client chipset in the World. • Supports tri-band operation and 7 radio chains • In built Bluetooth 5.0 with MIMO 2x2 • Houses 160 MHz channels • Offers about 2 Gbps in phones • Power efficient due to use of 16nm process technology. • Benefits of BCM4389 : 5x higher throughput, 2x less latency, 5x low power consumption, 2x fast bluetooth pairing, zero Glitch Audio and so on. • Also available is WiFi 6 chipset (BCM4375) with integrated Bluetooth 5
Qualcomm	• Models : FastConnect TM 6700 and FastConnect TM 6900 • Supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 • Speed : 6700 delivers about 3 Gbps and 6900 delivers up to 3.6 Gbps • Bands : 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz • Applications : 1K/4K enhanced gaming, Ultra HD Streaming • Supports superior bluetooth audio using aptX TM • Designed using 14nm process technology • Offers power savings due to less congestion and enhanced scheduling
Intel	• Upcoming WiFi 6E chipset is extension to existing WiFi 6 solutions • Availability : 2021 • Supports tri bands • Applications : PCs, Gateways, Home routers
ON Semiconductor	• Model : QCS-AX2-A12 • Supports Tri-band viz. 6 GHz, 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz • Supports Adaptive MIMO with 8x8 and 4x4 configurations • Other models : QCS-AX2-T12, QCS-AX2-T8

Summary

A WiFi 6E chipset operates in the 6 GHz band to deliver faster speeds and lower congestion. Leading manufacturers offer WiFi 6E solutions for consumer, enterprise, and industrial networking applications.