WLE1216V2-20 2.4GHz QCA9984 WiFi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) 4×4 MU-MIMO Single Band Module
Single-band 2.4GHz 4x4 MU-MIMO WiFi 5 (802.11ac) module with Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984, up to 800Mbps PHY rate, MiniPCIe PCIe 2.0 interface with integrated heat sink.
WLE1216V2-20 – Single Band 2.4GHz 4×4 WiFi 5 MiniPCIe Module
Product Overview
Single-band 2.4GHz 4×4 MU-MIMO WiFi 5 module based on Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984 Cascade series. Delivers up to 800Mbps physical data rate with integrated heat sink for free air operation. Designed for high-bandwidth enterprise wireless access points.
Key Overview
Target Users：Enterprise WLAN system integrators, high-density wireless deployment specialists, SMB network solution providers
Core Strengths：4×4 MU-MIMO with 800Mbps peak rate, integrated heat sink for passive cooling, PCIe 2.0 interface for higher throughput, supports CCK and OFDM modulation
Typical Applications：Enterprise-grade access points, high-density WiFi deployments, smart building infrastructure, public WiFi hotspots
Technical Specifications
The WLE1216V2-20 is a single-band 2.4GHz 4×4 MU-MIMO WiFi 5 module featuring integrated heat sink for reliable operation in enterprise environments.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984 ‘Cascade’ Series |
| System Memory | 256Kbit serial I²C bus EEPROM |
| Reference Design | Qualcomm Atheros CUS260 |
| Host Interface | MiniPCIe interface with PCIe 2.0 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Power Consumption | 6.68W (Max) |
| Wireless Standard | 2.4GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac, max 20dBm per chain |
| MIMO Configuration | 4×4 MU-MIMO |
| Peak Data Rate | Up to 800Mbps (PHY rate) |
| Frequency Range | 2.412~2.472 GHz |
| Channel Spectrum Widths | Supports 20/40MHz at 2.4GHz |
| Modulation Techniques | CCK, OFDM: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM |
| RF Connectors | 4× U.FL Connectors |
| WiFi Features | Spatial Multiplexing, Cyclic-Delay Diversity (CDD), LDPC Codes, MRC, STBC |
| Compliance Standards | IEEE 802.11d, e, h, i, j, k, r, u, v time stamp, w, and z |
| ESD Sensitivity | Class 1B |
| Operating Temperature | -20°C to 70°C |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to 90°C |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 95% (non-condensing) |
| Storage Humidity | Max. 90% (non-condensing) |
| Dimensions | 29.9 × 50.8 × 12.9 mm (L × W × H) |
| Certifications | FCC (USA), CE RED (EU), IC (Canada), REACH, RoHS |
Key Features
4×4 MU-MIMO with 800Mbps Peak Rate
Four spatial streams enable up to 800Mbps PHY rate in 2.4GHz band, ideal for high-density environments with multiple concurrent users.
Integrated Heat Sink
Built-in heat sink allows free air operation without additional cooling requirements, simplifying system design and reducing BOM costs.
PCIe 2.0 Interface
PCIe 2.0 provides higher throughput compared to PCIe 1.1, ensuring the interface doesn’t become a bottleneck for 4×4 MIMO traffic.
CCK & OFDM Modulation
Supports both CCK and OFDM modulation techniques for backward compatibility with legacy devices and efficient data transmission.
LDPC Error Correction
Low-Density Parity Check codes improve link reliability and extend range in challenging RF environments.
Comprehensive Standards Compliance
Full compliance with IEEE 802.11d, e, h, i, j, k, r, u, v, w, z standards ensures global regulatory compliance and interoperability.
Model Variants
| Model | Description | Temperature Range | Item Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLE1216V2-20 | Standard Grade, 4×4 MU-MIMO, 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz Single Band, MiniPCIe, 4 U.FL connectors | -20°C to 70°C | WLE1216V2-20 7A00001.02-2 |
Target Applications
- Enterprise-grade wireless access points
- High-density WiFi deployments (conference centers, stadiums)
- Smart building and campus networking
- Public WiFi hotspots
- Small to medium business networks
- Wireless infrastructure for hospitality
Comparison Table
| Parameter | WLE1216V2-20 | Typical 2×2 AC Module | Typical 3×3 AC Module |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIMO | 4×4 MU-MIMO | 2×2 MIMO | 3×3 MIMO |
| Max Data Rate | 800Mbps (2.4GHz) | 300Mbps (2.4GHz) | 600Mbps (2.4GHz) |
| Frequency Band | 2.4GHz only | 2.4GHz/5GHz | 2.4GHz/5GHz |
| Channel Width | 20/40MHz | 20/40MHz | 20/40MHz |
| TX Power (per chain) | 20dBm | 17~20dBm | 18~21dBm |
| Operating Temp | -20°C to 70°C | -20°C to 70°C | -40°C to 70°C |
| Interface | MiniPCIe (PCIe 2.0) | MiniPCIe / M.2 | MiniPCIe / M.2 |
Ordering Information
| Model | Description | Temperature | Ordering Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLE1216V2-20 | Standard Grade 4×4 802.11b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz Single Band MiniPCIe card, 4 U.FL connectors | -20°C to +70°C | WLE1216V2-20 7A00001.02-2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this module 2.4GHz only?
WLE1216V2-20 is optimized for deployments where 2.4GHz band is preferred, such as environments with dense walls or long-range requirements. The 2.4GHz band provides better penetration through obstacles compared to 5GHz.
Q: What platforms are supported by WLE1216V2-20?
Supported by CompexWRT or OpenWRT/LEDE operating systems.
Q: Does this module support MU-MIMO?
Yes, WLE1216V2-20 supports 4×4 MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO), allowing it to communicate with multiple clients simultaneously, improving throughput in high-density environments.
Q: What is the advantage of PCIe 2.0 over PCIe 1.1?
PCIe 2.0 provides double the bandwidth of PCIe 1.1 (5GT/s vs 2.5GT/s), ensuring the interface doesn’t become a bottleneck when handling 4×4 MIMO traffic at 800Mbps peak rate.
Q: Does the heat sink require any special mounting?
The heat sink is integrated into the module and requires no special mounting. It enables free air operation, simplifying system integration and reducing cooling requirements.
Q: What is the difference between QCA9984 and QCA9994?
QCA9984 and QCA9994 are both from Qualcomm’s Cascade series. The QCA9994 typically offers industrial temperature rating (-40°C to 85°C) while QCA9984 is standard grade (-20°C to 70°C).
