What Are the Maximum Link Setup Rate, Real-time Packet Sending Rate, and Bandwidth of a STA?
- The maximum link setup rate of a STA is negotiated between the STA and AP during association. The rate is a theoretical data transmission rate, depending on the capabilities of the STA and AP.
Many factors may affect the maximum link setup rate, including the radio type (802.11b/g/n/a), guard interval (GI), bandwidth (HT20/HT40/HT80), and number of spatial streams (one/two/three).
The maximum link setup rate varies depending on different combinations of the preceding factors.
For example, if a STA supports 802.11n, one spatial stream, normal GI, and HT20 mode, the maximum link setup rate of the STA can only reach 65 Mbit/s even if the AP supports short GI, three spatial streams, and HT40 mode.
The following table shows the maximum link setup rates of a STA for different combinations in 802.11n mode.
Table 6-3 Maximum link setup rateNumber of Spatial Streams
GI Mode
Bandwidth
Maximum Link Setup Rate (Mbit/s)
One
normal
HT20
65
One
normal
HT40
135
One
short
HT20
72.2
One
short
HT40
150
Two
normal
HT20
130
Two
normal
HT40
270
Two
short
HT20
144.4
Two
short
HT40
300
Three
normal
HT20
195
Three
normal
HT40
405
Three
short
HT20
216.7
Three
short
HT40
450M
- The real-time packet sending rate of a STA refers to the 802.11 physical layer rate used for air interface packet transmission between the STA and AP. The rate is dynamically adjusted based on the air interface environments (such as the interference and signal attenuation) but does not exceed the maximum link setup rate.
- The bandwidth of a STA refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted within a specific time period, that is, the capability of a STA to transmit data through a communication channel, expressed in Hz. Currently, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, and 80 MHz bandwidths are supported. Only STAs in 802.11ac mode support the 80 MHz bandwidth.