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QCA9882 and QCN6224 as WiFi Module SoCs Comprehensive Comparison

Qualcomm has consistently driven the evolution of wireless networking technology, from WiFi 5 to the latest WiFi 7, offering solutions that span enterprise, industrial, and consumer applications. This article provides a detailed comparison of two key Qualcomm WiFi SoCs: the QCA9882 (WiFi 5) and the QCN6224 (WiFi 7), analyzing their differences in architecture, performance, band support, application scenarios, and software ecosystem.



1. Product Positioning and Generational Differences

ItemQCA9882QCN6224
WiFi GenerationWiFi 5 (802.11ac)WiFi 7 (802.11be)
Release Year~2014~2023
Architecture802.11ac Wave 2Next-gen WiFi 7 platform
Process Node28nm6nm / 7nm (depending on version)
Target Use CaseEntry-level enterprise APs / Industrial IoTMid-high-end APs / Industrial routers / WiFi 7 modules

2. Wireless Specifications and Frequency Support

ItemQCA9882QCN6224
Supported Protocols802.11a/b/g/n/ac802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be (WiFi 7)
Supported Bands2.4GHz / 5GHz2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz (Tri-band)
MIMO Configuration2x2 MU-MIMO2x2 or 4x4 MU-MIMO
Channel BandwidthUp to 80MHzUp to 320MHz (WiFi 7 feature)
OFDMANot supportedSupported (Uplink & Downlink)
MU-MIMOLimited supportEnhanced MU-MIMO with high user density
Multi-Link Operation (MLO)Not supportedSupported (key WiFi 7 feature)
Max Data Rate867 MbpsUp to 9.6 Gbps (configuration dependent)

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3. Hardware Interfaces and Packaging

ItemQCA9882QCN6224
Host InterfacePCIe 2.0PCIe 3.0 / 4.0
Common Form FactorMini PCIe moduleM.2 / NGFF / Custom module
Antenna Support2 antennas2 or 4 antennas, supports advanced beamforming
Power ManagementBasicAdvanced PMU, supports Target Wake Time (TWT)


4. Software Support and Ecosystem Compatibility

ItemQCA9882QCN6224
Mainline Driverath10k / ath10k-ctath12k (WiFi 7 dedicated)
OpenWRT SupportMature and stableEmerging support (included in 2024 mainline)
OpenWiFi CompatibilityNoYes (supported under OpenWiFi initiative)
SDK EcosystemSupported by QSDK/QCA SDKSupports latest Qualcomm SDK and OpenSync
Recommended KernelLinux Kernel 4.x+Linux Kernel 5.15+ for optimal ath12k support

QCN6224.jpg

5. Application Scenarios Comparison

ScenarioQCA9882QCN6224
Industrial Gateways / IoT Edge Devices✅✅ (better for high concurrency & speed)
Enterprise AP (dense deployments)Partially suitable✅
Mesh BackhaulLimited✅ (6GHz high-bandwidth backhaul)
Real-time apps (video conferencing / AR / XR)❌✅ (low latency, QoS aware)

6. Power and Thermal Design

ItemQCA9882QCN6224
Peak Power Consumption~5–7W~8–12W (depending on band and antenna config)
Cooling RequirementsPassive heatsink sufficientRecommended: heatsink + thermal pad / casing
TWT Power SavingNot supportedSupported (essential WiFi 7 power-saving)

7. Cost and Availability

ItemQCA9882QCN6224
Market AvailabilityWidely available, mature stockIncreasing volume, often via B2B/custom modules
Cost PositioningLow-cost (<$10 per module)Mid-high-end (30–30–60 depending on configuration)
Future ViabilityNearing EOL in modern applicationsWiFi 7 mainstream SoC over next 5+ years

8. Summary and Selection Guidance

Use CaseRecommended SoC
Cost-sensitive, basic functionalityQCA9882 (mature and affordable)
Developing WiFi 7 products, mesh backhaul, or high performance CPEQCN6224 (tri-band, MLO, high concurrency)
OpenWiFi or TIP ecosystem integrationQCN6224
Legacy system replacementsQCA9882

Additional Notes

  • QCN6224 is part of Qualcomm’s WiFi 7 platform lineup, designed for low-to-mid power WiFi 7 applications, offering tri-band support, 320MHz bandwidth, MLO, and efficient OFDMA scheduling.
  • QCA9882 remains popular in budget-friendly routers, industrial CPEs, and older wireless deployments but lacks future-facing features like 6GHz, MLO, or TWT.

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