Finding MIMO

It’s been quite a while in the queue to wait for the next 802.11 technology and here it is, 802.11n. We all understand the 802.11b has been a great technology and is a big success, as we could find wireless devices running on 802.11b and 11g everywhere around the world due to its cheap price and good quality coverage. The 802.11n technology is still being researched and we don’t have an estimate to its official launch.

Until that time you can certainly take a look at some of the MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) device already in the market to get a taste of what 802.11n in store for you. What MIMO does? It releases multiple signals at your premises to catch all the wireless enables connected antenna’s to build a certain path to each one. And by the way, it ranges more that what 802.11g offers today.

Patience is the virtue and taste good! Therefore those enterprises which have an urgent need for such technology which can take them beyond the scope 802.11b & g can try out the recent crop of MIMO Routers to enhance the coverage factor. If you feel that your office performance is being affected because of poor speed and range, now it’s a time to taste a better mix i.e. pre-n MIMO hardware.

So, what kind of longer range can you expect from MIMO? Well it all depends on the kind of site you are in currently. There are other players in market like the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router (F5D8230-4) which has a greater coverage somewhere around 800 percent over standard 802.11g adapters. Don’t get carried away with different stories related to efficient MIMO devices as things can be different at different places like for example, not every office structure is same, not every market place is same.

What do you think the speed is going to be? Take an example of Buffalo’s Technology AirStation MIMO Wireless Cable/DSL Router (WZR-G108), a touch system which brings an excellent WPA security. It works almost 8 times faster than a normal 802.11g device. This device will bring in revolutionary access to your wireless network where old technology of 802.11b & g will fail to even compete.

Next player is the D-link DI-634M Wireless 108G MIMO Router. It has 4 antennas, 2 vertical and 2 horizontal with a quick and simple configuration setup. Next one is the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with SRX200. It has four-port 10/100 switch for almost GBP50 with a nice 3 year warranty. There is also SMC Networks’ Barricade g 802.11g MIMO Wireless Cable Broadband Router, same price as Linksys and works as a 54Mbps 802.11g access point with 4 port Ethernet switch. Then comes NetGear RangeMax 240, you will love the speed going upto almost upto 240Mbps when used with RangeMax 240 adapters. Sounds like someone is wired or running on as advertised 802.11n. The news so far is that majority of MIMO-enabled routers can speed upto 108Mbps approximately.

Therefore, wait and watch the next generation wireless technology taking you with a fly.