NRF7002 and MU-MIMO

[Adam M]

I can't find any mention about MU-MIMO in the datasheet. Does the nRF7002 support MU-MIMO TX and RX?

I cannot find any details of if support is mandatory for a 802.11ax station device. I understand that it is mandatory on the access point side, but not sure if it is only supported by some devices.

[AHaug]

Hi,

I will have to look closer into the nRF7002 PS myself. I find one hit under https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/protocols/wifi/wifi.html#physical_layer for Multuser support in WiFi 6 so I assume it is supported, but I will verify.

I will get back to you later this week

Kind regards,
Andreas

[AHaug]

Hi,

First thing that I've uncovered is that this link attempts to describe that MU operation can be achieved through two separate mechanisms, OFDMA and MIMO. Our device only supports the OFDMA mechanism for MU operation.

Let me know if this answers your question

Kind regards,
Andreas

[Adam M]

Thanks for the fast reply Andreas.

I guess the question is if it is compatible with the access point using MU-MIMO. As it has 1 antenna only I know it cannot do multiple spatial streams at the same time to the device, but more if for instance a 4 spatial stream access point can talk to it using 1 stream while simultaneously using the other 3 streams to talk to other devices. It isn't clear if this requires special support on all devices, or only at the AP end.

[AHaug]

Hi again,

I had to discuss this with some of my colleagues first, but here's what they said regarding the nRF7002 being compatible with access points using MU-MIMO:

MU-MIMO is a technique for concurrent operation between an AP and multiple STAs. So is OFDMA. Both are MU techniques. APs can choose to use one or the other or even a combination of both techniques depending on the capabilities of the connected STAs and traffic. We declare that we do not support MU-MIMO, so when the AP wishes to communicate data with us it cannot utilize the MU-MIMO technique It can either use OFDMA, or simply revert to TDMA. When there is nothing to transmit to our STA it may choose to utilize MU-MIMO.

Does this resonate with you and answer your question?

Kind regards,
Andreas