WLE1216V2-20-I 2.4GHz QCA9994 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 QCA9994, up to 800Mbps PHY rate, industrial grade -40C to 85C, MiniPCIe PCIe 2.0 interface with integrated heat sink.
WLE1216V2-20-I – 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 QCA9994 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, industrial IoT solution providers
Core Strengths：4×4 MU-MIMO with 800Mbps peak rate, industrial temperature -40°C to 85°C, integrated heat sink for passive cooling, PCIe 2.0 interface for higher throughput
Typical Applications：Enterprise-grade access points, high-density WiFi deployments, industrial IoT gateways, smart building infrastructure
Technical Specifications
The WLE1216V2-20-I is a single-band 2.4GHz 4×4 MU-MIMO WiFi 5 module featuring integrated heat sink for reliable operation in demanding environments.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9994 ‘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 | 2.412~2.472GHz |
| Channel Spectrum Widths | Supports 20/40MHz at 2.4GHz |
| Modulation Techniques | CCK, 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 |
| ESD Sensitivity | Class 1B |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to 85°C (industrial grade) |
| 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.
Industrial Temperature Grade
Operating from -40°C to 85°C makes this module suitable for outdoor enclosures, industrial control panels, and extreme environments.
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.
256-QAM Support
Supports up to 256-QAM modulation for maximum spectral efficiency, delivering more data per channel bandwidth.
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-I | Industrial Grade, 4×4 MU-MIMO, 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz Single Band, MiniPCIe, 4 U.FL connectors | -40°C to 85°C | WLE1216V2-20 7B001.02-I-2 |
Target Applications
- Enterprise-grade wireless access points
- High-density WiFi deployments (conference centers, stadiums)
- Industrial IoT gateways and controllers
- Smart building and campus networking
- Outdoor wireless infrastructure
- Public WiFi hotspots
Comparison Table
| Parameter | WLE1216V2-20-I | 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 | -40°C to 85°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-I | Industrial Grade 4×4 802.11b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz Single Band MiniPCIe card, 4 U.FL connectors | -40°C to +85°C | WLE1216V2-20 7B001.02-I-2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is this module 2.4GHz only?
WLE1216V2-20-I 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-I?
Validated on CompexWRT (Qualcomm-based WPJ558, WPJ563, WPJ564, WPQ864, WPQ865) and OpenWRT/LEDE with ath10k drivers.
Q: Does this module support MU-MIMO?
Yes, WLE1216V2-20-I 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 this and the QCA9990?
QCA9994 is a later generation chip than QCA9990, offering improved power efficiency, better thermal performance, and support for newer IEEE 802.11 standards including ‘z’.
