SmallNetBuilder

SD WiFi Redux

Shortly after the SD WiFi card review was published, SanDisk sent me a 400MHz Dell Axim X3 Advanced to try, which they said should have significantly improved wireless throughput over that provided by the H2210. (SyChip says Sandisk's SD WiFi card is capable of supporting SD 4 bit mode at a maximum clock rate of 25MHz.)

The Axim X3 Advanced model uses an Intel PXA263, also clocked at 400 MHz. Although the PXA263 has the same MMC interface as its sibling PXA255, it has integrated flash memory and an internal 32bit memory bus that could provide improved wireless speed.

Figure 1: Internal view of the SD WiFi

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I reran the tests using both the Dell X3 and HP H2210 and the Chariot test results are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2: SD Wi-Fi in Dell 400MHz Axim X3 and HP H2210
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Figure 2 shows test results for AP to STA and STA to AP transfers with the SanDisk card inserted into the H2210 and X3. I used a NETGEAR ME102 Access Point (the same used in the original SD WiFi review) with the PDA under test within 6 feet or so of the AP.

The results clearly show improved performance in both directions using the Axim X3. You can also see that AP to STA transfers were speedier no matter which PocketPC was used.

SyChip also sent me results of their own testing using the X3 and an ORiNOCO AP-500, also with PDA within 6 feet of the AP.

Figure 3: SD Wi-Fi in Dell 400MHz Axim X3 - AP to STA (SyChip data)
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Figure 3 shows somewhat better performance than I obtained, but the results are still pretty consistent.