5 Benefits of Using MU-MIMO That Everyone Should Know

With the advent of the latest WLAN standard 802.11ac, Wi-Fi users are offered better performance through a feature called MU-MIMO. The Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output, or MU-MIMO has made it quite easier for multiple users to access the internet without facing issues of latency or disruption.

However, it’s important to understand how it works so that you can reap benefits in the best manner. This article will be covering insights into how MU-MIMO increases the performance of a Wi-Fi network and the benefits it brings with it. So, let’s get started:

How Does MU-MIMO Work?

Previously, Wi-Fi standards only had MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output). However, it only allowed a single user to benefit from the network. With MU-MIMO, multiple users can access the network and benefit from internet availability.

It uses beamforming, a technique that is used to manage the Wi-Fi frequency directly toward the targeted devices. This makes it easier for MU-MIMO to provide proper Wi-Fi signals and internet access efficiently to the designated client.

The only hurdle is the internet connection, which has to be strong enough to entertain multiple users on the go. If you’re looking for a reliable internet service, we recommend checking out Xfinity internet deals. You’ll get the most appropriate speed tier at an economical rate and promising service quality.

Benefits of MU-MIMO

Now that we know what MU-MIMO is and how it works, it’s time to check out some of the benefits that it brings with it:

1. Increases Overall Wi-Fi Capacity

One of the amazing features of MU-MIMO is that it increases the overall Wi-Fi capacity. In this manner, your Wi-Fi is able to entertain multiple users using multiple streams for data flow. In MIMO, only one stream is used. Therefore, only a single client is entertained (even though the time lapse is minuscule; still it can add to a lot if there are several users).

2. Entertains Multiple Users

As highlighted earlier, MU-MIMO is able to use multiple streams. It elevates the performance of your Wi-Fi, making it capable of entertaining multiple users/ devices at the same time. That means the connected devices have access to the same speed and bandwidth without facing a deadlock or disruption of any kind.

3. Offers Performance for Large Data Packets

In most networks, users often need to send large data packets. Networks that don’t use MU-MIMO often end up choking with large data packets in the queue. This results in a deadlock for other users connected to the same network since they’re waiting for their turn to access the network. With MU-MIMO, this is minimized since the network can now entertain multiple users that are sending large data packets.

4. Minimizes Network Issues

Another advantage that you get with MU-MIMO is the reduction in network issues. We’ve already highlighted how it offers better performance for the users sending large data packets. However, even that can face issues due to network disruption.

MU-MIMO resolves this by ensuring minimum latency, which stabilizes the network, giving a smooth data transfer. In addition, it minimizes the power consumption of the device too, which can increase significantly while entertaining multiple users, resulting in choking.

5. Suitable for Higher Bandwidth Clients

This again relates to sending large amounts of data through the network stream. MU-MIMO makes it easier for the network to entertain clients with higher bandwidths to accomplish their tasks effectively.

In addition, clients with a low number of users but with greater bandwidth requirements are also entertained effectively without resulting in network choking or a deadlock. Moreover, Wi-Fi signals are prone to disruptions more than Ethernet connections.

Therefore, clients sending large Wi-Fi data packets will also need a reliable connection to avoid any disruption in the middle of the process. MU-MIMO helps entertain this requirement too by providing a stable internet connection.

The Downsides to MU-MIMO

Although MU-MIMO brings significant advantages, still, it has some downsides that you should know about before implementing it completely in your network:

1. Requires Precise Beamforming

We highlighted earlier that MU-MIMO uses beamforming to provide efficient network performance. However, it requires precision in this process. Else, the network can face similar interferences such as in a regular MIMO network.

2. Complex to Handle

It requires hardware enhancements to implement proper beamforming and achieve its goal. With more hardware, system management will become a hurdle, and not having an effective team to handle it will make it difficult to manage everything.

3. Requires Algorithms to Function

The interference between the connection terminals is reduced with the application of complex algorithms. These algorithms hold the processing between the complex hardware and connected terminals. Again, designing an accurate algorithm to handle the entire network is a work of precision, which ultimately increases the overall complexity.

Closing Thoughts

MU-MIMO is one of the amazing features that you get with the latest Wi-Fi standard. Even though it carries some complexities with it, still, managing it with a team will reap benefits that will strengthen the overall performance of your network.