Advantages of BeamFlex over Transmit Beamforming (TxBF)

Summary

802.11ac standard includes beamforming technology. This does the same thing as the BeamFlex, which helps to focus signal towards the destination giving additional gain. Keeping this basic functionality aside, there are few things that BeamFlex can do which TxBF can't. This articles lists some of those advantages.

Question

Why should I still care about BeamFlex since 802.11ac includes Beamforming?

Customer Environment

Standard wireless network

Root Cause

Latest 802.11ac standard includes Beamforming as its one of the fundamental features.

Resolution

Beamforming in 802.11ac is a radio based technology. Whereas BeamFlex engages adaptive antennas so this is an antenna based technology.
What Ruckus does is use beamforming (which is radio based) and combines it with adaptive antennas (BeamFlex which antenna based) to maximize the performance. Other advantages include:
1. BeamFlex is not client dependent. It can work with any 802.11 standard client. Whereas beamforming requires a 802.11ac client. Just to add, not all 802.11ac standard clients come with TxBF built-in.
2. Spatial multiplexing with TxBF will use one of its chains just to send same data. So TxBF will waste one of two chains just to provide redundancy.
3. BeamFlex is more accurate in reaching the destination. This will cause less interference to neighbors and also maximize performance.

Article Number:
000003942

Updated:
May 06, 2021 12:54 AM (about 3 years ago)

Tags:
Performance, ZoneFlex Indoor, ZoneFlex Outdoor

Votes:
13

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