WET610N vs. WGA600N
Figure 9: Linksys WET610N
Updated 4/25/2009: Added WET610N memory details
A look inside the new WET610N (Figure 10) reveals that it is based on a Metalink WLANPlus chipset comprised of a MtW8171 2x3 802.11n MAC/BB and MtW8151 2x3 2.4/5GHz 802.11n RFIC.
This is a dual-band 2T 3R draft 11n solution that claims to use Advanced FEC (Forward Error Correction) and be optimized for streaming video due to its ability to do UDP transfers with "minimal" delay, "constant" throughput and "zero" Packet Error Rate. The Star STR9101 is a SoC router and there is 32 MB of RAM and 8 MB of flash.
Note the two metal antennas mounted on board at the top side slanted sections. There is also a printed circuit board antenna in the middle. Kudos to the Cisco design team for the attractive enclosure that orients the antennas in an optimal vertical plane.
Figure 10: WET610N board
In contrast, the WGA600N "gaming adapter" (Figure 11) uses an Atheros AR9160 two dual-band 3x3 MIMO MAC/Baseband and AR9104 dual-band 2x2 MIMO 802.11n Radio. The CPU is a Ubicom IP5090U.
There are two metal antennas here, mounted on board on the left and bottom left of the photo. But the WGA600N's box makes the antennas sit horizontally and close to the surface that it sits on.
Figure 11: WGA600N board
Even though Ubicom is known for its automatic QoS technology, it appears that Metalink has something that Cisco likes better.
It's harder than you think for that expensive router of yours to deliver all the throughput the big number on its box promises. We show you why.
Trying to decide between a router and a Wi-Fi System? This experiment should help you choose wisely.
Updated: Here's a quick primer on Wi-Fi 6E.
Wi-Fi ping spikes aren't always caused by a poor connection. Your router settings could be to blame.
Ever wonder what happens behind the scenes when Wi-Fi devices roam, or more likely don't? We'll show you why the "seamless" roaming Wi-Fi gear makers promise is still as elusive as a Yeti.
We reveal the secrets of why your devices don't always connect where you want them to and what you can do to fix it.