QCA9882 and QCN6224 as WiFi Module SoCs Comprehensive Comparison

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Comprehensive Comparison of QCA9882 and QCN6224 as WiFi Module SoCsQualcomm 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.

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1. Product Positioning and Generational DifferencesItemQCA9882QCN6224
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

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2. Wireless Specifications and Frequency SupportItemQCA9882QCN6224
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 PackagingItemQCA9882QCN6224
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)

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4. Software Support and Ecosystem CompatibilityItemQCA9882QCN6224
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

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5. Application Scenarios ComparisonScenarioQCA9882QCN6224
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)

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6. Power and Thermal DesignItemQCA9882QCN6224
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)

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7. Cost and AvailabilityItemQCA9882QCN6224
Market AvailabilityWidely available, mature stockIncreasing volume, often via B2B/custom modules
Cost PositioningLow-cost (<$10 per module)Mid-high-end (30–30–30–60 depending on configuration)
Future ViabilityNearing EOL in modern applicationsWiFi 7 mainstream SoC over next 5+ years

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8. Summary and Selection GuidanceUse 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

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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.