Side-by-Side Comparison
Wi-Fi
Legacy Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g) vs. Wi-Fi 4
Comparing 2 standards across 14 specifications. 14 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Legacy Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g)
Wi-Fi 4
Legacy IEEE 802.11 standards (802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11g) established commercial consumer wireless networking between 1999 and 2003, transitioning from 11 Mbps DSSS/CCK in the 2.4 GHz band to 54 Mbps OFDM modulation across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
Wi-Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11n) was ratified in 2009, introducing Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) spatial streaming and optional 40 MHz channel bonding across both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, achieving maximum theoretical physical link rates up to 600 Mbps.
Specification Comparison Table
14 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Frequency Bands
|
2.4 GHz (802.11b/g), 5 GHz (802.11a) | 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (Dual-Band) |
|
Max Channel Width
|
20 MHz | 40 MHz |
|
Standards Included
|
802.11b (1999), 802.11a (1999), 802.11g (2003) | — |
|
Max Data Rate (802.11b)
|
11 Mbps | — |
|
Max Data Rate (802.11a/g)
|
54 Mbps | — |
|
Modulation Schemes
|
DSSS / CCK (802.11b), OFDM (802.11a/g) | — |
|
Spatial Streams (MIMO)
|
1 (SISO only) | — |
|
IEEE Standard
|
— | IEEE 802.11n-2009 |
|
Wi-Fi Generation
|
— | Wi-Fi 4 |
|
Ratification Year
|
— | 2009 |
|
Max Theoretical PHY Rate
|
— | 600 Mbps |
|
Max Spatial Streams (MIMO)
|
— | 4x4 |
|
Modulation Standard
|
— | 64-QAM |
|
Guard Interval
|
— | 400 ns (Short GI) / 800 ns (Standard) |