Different Wi-Fi Protocols and Data Rates
Last Reviewed: 07-Apr-2017
Article ID: 000005725
IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol summary
| Protocol | Frequency | Signal | Maximum data rate |
| Legacy 802.11 | 2.4 GHz | FHSS or DSSS | 2 Mbps |
| 802.11a | 5 GHz | OFDM | 54 Mbps |
| 802.11b | 2.4 GHz | HR-DSSS | 11 Mbps |
| 802.11g | 2.4 GHz | OFDM | 54 Mbps |
| 802.11n | 2.4 or 5 GHz | OFDM | 600 Mbps (theoretical) |
| 802.11ac | 5 GHz | 256-QAM | 1.3 Gbps |
- Released in 1997
- Two raw data rates of 1 and 2 Mbps
- Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) or direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)
- Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz
- Originally defined carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA-CA)
- Released in 1999
- Data rates with varying modulation types: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps
- Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) with 52 subcarrier channels
- 12 non-overlapping unlicensed national information infrastructure (UNII) channels in 5 GHz frequency band
- Released in 1999
- Data rates with varying modulation types: 1, 2, 5.5 and 11 Mbps
- High-rate direct-sequence spread spectrum (HR-DSSS)
- Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz
- Released in 2003
- Data rates with varying modulation types: 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 54 Mbps; can revert to 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps using DSSS and CCK
- Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) with 52 subcarrier channels; backwards compatible with 802.11b using DSSS and CCK
- Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz
- Data rates with varying modulation types: 1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps (see table below)
- Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) using multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) and channel bonding (CB)
- Three non-overlapping channels in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) frequency band at 2.4 GHz
- 12 non-overlapping unlicensed national information infrastructure (UNII) channels in 5 GHz frequency band with and without CB
| Note | We recommend channel bonding for the 5 GHz because there are a limited number of non-overlapping channels available in the 2.4 GHz band. |
| Mode | Maximum rate (Mbps) | Antenna transmit / Receive arrangements |
| Legacy a/b/g with antenna diversity and CB | 121.5 | 1 TX 1 RX |
| 2x2 20 MHz | 130 | 2 TX 2 RX |
| 2x3 20 MHz | 144.44 | 2 TX 3 RX |
| 2x2 40 MHz | 270 | 2 TX 2 RX |
| 2x3 40 MHz | 300 | 2 TX 3 RX |
| 3x3 20 MHz | 405 | 3 TX 3 RX |
| 3x3 40 MHz | 450 | 3 TX 3 RX |
- Released in January 2014
- Data rates varying modulation types; 200 Mbps, 400 Mbps, 433 Mbps, 600 Mbps, 867 Mbps, 1.3 Gbps. See table below
- 24 non-overlapping unlicensed national information infrastructure (UNII) channels in 5 GHz frequency band
| Mode | Maximum rate (Mbps) | Antenna transmit/ Receive arrangements |
| 1x1 40 MHz | 200 Mbps | 1 TX 1 RX |
| 2x2 40 MHz | 400 Mbps | 2 TX 2 RX |
| 3x3 40 MHz | 600 Mbps | 3 TX 3 RX |
| 1x1 80 MHz | 433 Mbps | 1 TX 1 RX |
| 2x2 80 MHz | 866 Mbps | 2 TX 2 RX |
| 3x3 80 MHz | 1300 Mbps | 3 TX 3 RX |
