As digital transformation and the Internet of Everything accelerate, Wi-Fi has evolved from a simple convenience to mission-critical infrastructure. Starting in 2024, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) enters commercial deployment, bringing groundbreaking features like ultra-high bandwidth, low latency, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO). These innovations unlock new possibilities in high-density, high-demand networking environments.
Qualcomm's IPQ5322 and IPQ5424 SoCs are purpose-built for this evolution, targeting mid-range and high-performance markets respectively. This article provides an in-depth look at their architecture, wireless capabilities, system performance, I/O design, software support, and real-world applications. 1. Architecture: Built for Wi-Fi 7 from the Ground UpKey SpecsIPQ5322IPQ5424
Chipset SeriesQualcomm Networking Pro 620 SeriesQualcomm Networking Pro 820 Series
CPU ArchitectureDual-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.0GHzQuad-core ARM Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz
Process Node14nm6nm FinFET
SoC TypeWi-Fi 7 Dual-Band Embedded SoCWi-Fi 7 Tri-Band High-Performance SoC
IPQ5322: Designed for dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers or cost-sensitive mesh devices, focusing on energy efficiency and simplicity.
IPQ5424: A premium-tier SoC in the Qualcomm Pro 820 series, featuring a 6nm process and powerful CPU cores for advanced applications like enterprise APs, 5G backhaul nodes, and high-performance mesh routers.
IPQ5322: Integrated 2x2@2.4GHz + 2x2@5GHz radios, no external RF needed—ideal for simplified hardware BOM.
IPQ5424: Supports 4x4@2.4GHz + 4x4@5GHz + 4x4@6GHz via external radios like QCN9274 or QCN6274, delivering up to 18Gbps peak PHY rate—perfect for high-density, tri-band applications.
3. Processing Power & Interfaces: Designed for Performance💻 CPU and Network Acceleration
IPQ5322: Dual-core CPU is sufficient for NAT, firewall, QoS, and smart home gateway use.
IPQ5424: High-performance design enables advanced packet processing, DPI, SD-WAN, and integration with edge AI.
🔌 I/O and ExpansionInterface TypeIPQ5322IPQ5424
Ethernet1 x 2.5G MAC + RGMII1 x 10G SFP + multiple RGMII/SGMII
PCIePCIe 3.0 x1PCIe 4.0 x2 (for external RF or SSD)
USBUSB 3.0USB 3.1 (Type-C supported)
Storage InterfaceeMMC / NAND / NOR FlasheMMC / NAND / NVMe
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4 / DDR54. Software Ecosystem: Ready for OpenWRT and OpenWiFi
IPQ5322 is already supported in several OpenWRT branches and is ideal for open-source routers, IoT gateways, and SMB APs.
IPQ5424 is being actively integrated into the OpenWiFi ecosystem, with strong support from ODMs like Wallys, Edgecore, and Hawkeye. It runs on Qualcomm’s SDK 7.x and supports SDN/NFV-based cloud management architectures.
5. Deployment ScenariosApplication ScenarioIPQ5322IPQ5424
Smart Home Gateway✅ Entry-level Wi-Fi 7 CPE✅ Central mesh router
SMB Access Point✅ Dual-band AP at low cost✅ Tri-band high-density AP
Education/Healthcare⚠️ Limited to small clinics/campuses✅ Seamless roaming + QoS optimized APs
Industrial/Mining Wi-Fi❌ Not suitable✅ Outdoor mesh node with 10G uplink
Metro Wireless Hotspot❌✅ 18Gbps Wi-Fi 7 access point with backhaul6. Featured Products Based on IPQ5322 / IPQ5424IPQ5322-based devices:
Wallys DR531
AsiaRF AW7916-NPD
GL.iNet Wi-Fi 7 entry-level routers (in development)
Many manufacturers have recognized IPQ5424 as the go-to tri-band Wi-Fi 7 platform, especially for markets prioritizing 6GHz support such as North America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.
7. Conclusion: A Flexible SoC Duo for All Wi-Fi 7 NeedsQualcomm’s dual-chip strategy with the IPQ5322 and IPQ5424 enables developers and OEMs to address both cost-sensitive and performance-critical Wi-Fi 7 markets:
IPQ5322 targets entry-level and mid-range dual-band deployments with integrated radios.
IPQ5424 offers unmatched flexibility and speed for tri-band, enterprise-class, or industrial-grade networks.
The key to selecting between these SoCs lies in the deployment scenario: does the project require tri-band operation, 6GHz capability, ultra-high bandwidth, or multi-node mesh support? Understanding those real-world requirements is the foundation for choosing the optimal Wi-Fi 7 chipset.
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