WLE1216V5-20 5GHz QCA9984 WiFi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) 4×4 MU-MIMO Single Band Module
Single-band 5GHz 4x4 MU-MIMO WiFi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) module with Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984, up to 1733Mbps PHY rate, 80+80MHz bandwidth support, MiniPCIe PCIe 2.0 interface with integrated heat sink.
WLE1216V5-20 – Single Band 5GHz 4×4 WiFi 5 MiniPCIe Module
Product Overview
Single-band 5GHz 4×4 MU-MIMO WiFi 5 module based on Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984 Cascade series. Delivers up to 1733Mbps physical data rate with 80+80MHz bandwidth support. Integrated heat sink enables free air operation for 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 1733Mbps peak rate, 80+80MHz bandwidth support, integrated heat sink, PCIe 2.0 interface for higher throughput, DFS support
Typical Applications：Enterprise-grade access points, high-density WiFi deployments, smart building infrastructure, public WiFi hotspots
Technical Specifications
The WLE1216V5-20 is a single-band 5GHz 4×4 MU-MIMO WiFi 5 module featuring integrated heat sink and support for 80+80MHz bandwidth for maximum throughput.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9984 ‘Cascade’ Series |
| System Memory | 256Kbit serial I²C bus EEPROM |
| Reference Design | Qualcomm Atheros CUS239 |
| Host Interface | MiniPCIe interface with PCIe 2.0 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Power Consumption | 8.5W (Max) |
| Wireless Standard | 5GHz 802.11a/n/ac, max 21dBm per chain |
| MIMO Configuration | 4×4 MU-MIMO |
| Peak Data Rate | Up to 1733Mbps (PHY rate) |
| Frequency Range | 5.150~5.825 GHz |
| Channel Spectrum Widths | Supports 20/40/80/80+80MHz at 5GHz |
| Modulation Techniques | OFDM: BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-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 |
| DFS Support | Dynamic Frequency Selection supported |
| 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 (W × H × D) |
| Certifications | FCC (USA), CE (EU), IC (Canada), REACH, RoHS |
Key Features
4×4 MU-MIMO with 1733Mbps Peak Rate
Four spatial streams enable up to 1733Mbps PHY rate in 5GHz band, ideal for high-bandwidth enterprise applications with multiple concurrent users.
80+80MHz Bandwidth Support
Supports 80+80MHz channel bonding for maximum throughput, delivering the highest data rates available in WiFi 5 technology.
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.
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS)
DFS support enables operation in additional 5GHz channels, increasing available spectrum for high-density deployments.
256-QAM Modulation
Supports 256-QAM modulation for higher data rates, improving throughput in good signal conditions.
Model Variants
| Model | Description | Temperature Range | Item Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLE1216V5-20 | Standard Grade, 4×4 MU-MIMO, 802.11a/n/ac, 5GHz Single Band, MiniPCIe, 4 U.FL connectors | -20°C to 70°C | WLE1216V5-20 7A00001.03-2 |
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 | WLE1216V5-20 | Typical 2×2 AC Module | Typical 3×3 AC Module |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIMO | 4×4 MU-MIMO | 2×2 MIMO | 3×3 MIMO |
| Max Data Rate | 1733Mbps (5GHz) | 867Mbps (5GHz) | 1300Mbps (5GHz) |
| Frequency Band | 5GHz only | 2.4GHz/5GHz | 2.4GHz/5GHz |
| Channel Width | 20/40/80/80+80MHz | 20/40/80MHz | 20/40/80MHz |
| TX Power (per chain) | 21dBm | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLE1216V5-20 | Standard Grade 4×4 802.11a/n/ac 5GHz Wave 2 MiniPCIe card, 4 U.FL connectors | -20°C to +70°C | WLE1216V5-20 7A00001.03-2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this module 5GHz only?
WLE1216V5-20 is optimized for deployments where 5GHz band is preferred, offering higher bandwidth and less interference compared to 2.4GHz. Ideal for high-density environments requiring maximum throughput.
Q: What platforms are supported by WLE1216V5-20?
Supported by CompexWRT (v3.x and above) with Qualcomm Atheros reference wireless drivers. Throughput up to 800Mbps on WPJ558, WPJ563, and WPJ564 platforms; up to 1300Mbps on WPQ864 and WPQ865. Also supports OpenWRT/LEDE with ath10k wireless drivers.
Q: Does this module support MU-MIMO?
Yes, WLE1216V5-20 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 80+80MHz bandwidth?
80+80MHz (also called 160MHz equivalent) is a channel bonding technique that combines two non-contiguous 80MHz channels to achieve higher data rates up to 1733Mbps.
Q: What is DFS and why is it important?
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) is a regulatory requirement that allows WiFi devices to detect and avoid radar signals in certain 5GHz channels. This provides access to additional channels that are otherwise restricted, increasing available spectrum.
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.
