2.2 IEEE 802.11 Performance Gain Table

The Performance Gain Table refers to the gain setting that allows the ATWINC3400A to be compliant to the limits set in the IEEE 802.11 specification.
  • The product characterization of the TX and RX parameters as defined by IEEE 802.11 must be tested with a suitable WLAN test instrument, for example, IQxel-80.
  • During the characterization, the user has to derive the Performance Gain Table by adjusting the Digital Gain (DG) value for all Wi-Fi channel and data rate combinations using the MCHPRT2 GUI tool for optimal performance and compliance to the IEEE 802.11 specification.
    Note: During transmitter EVM measurements, the test equipment must use the “LTF” channel estimation, as required by the IEEE 802.11 specification.
  • The product characterization can be done at a typical condition (3.3V, 25ºC) and at extreme voltages and temperature conditions. The ATWINC3400A device transmitter RF output power can vary by about 2 to 3 dB at extreme boundary conditions from its typical value.
  • The final Performance Gain Table is derived after characterizing the product across operating voltage and temperature conditions.
    Note: There is a trade-off between the transmitter RF output power and compliance to IEEE 802.11 specification. For example:
    1. Increasing the RF output power might impact the spectral mask requirements in the IEEE 802.11b signals.
    2. Increasing the RF output power might impact the EVM requirements of the IEEE 802.11g/n signals.
  • Below is a sample gain table that can be used as a starting point by the user. The user has to derive the Performance Gain Table for their product.
Table 2-3. Sample IEEE 802.11 Performance Gain Table
Data RateChannel
1234567891011121314
1-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15
2-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15
5.5-12-12-12-12-12-12-13-13-13-13-13-14-14-14
11-13-13-13-13-13-13-14-14-14-14-14-15-15-15
6-8-8-8-8-9-9-9-9-9-10-10-10-10-10
9-8-8-8-8-9-9-9-9-9-10-10-10-10-10
12-8-8-8-8-9-9-9-9-9-10-10-10-10-10
18-8-8-8-8-9-9-9-9-9-10-10-10-10-10
24-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10
36-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12
48-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13
54-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15
MCS0-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-11-11-11-11-11
MCS1-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-11-11-11-11-11
MCS2-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-11-11-11-11-11
MCS3-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-11-11-11-11-11
MCS4-11-11-11-11-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12
MCS5-12-12-12-12-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13
MCS6-14-14-14-14-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15
MCS7-15-15-15-15-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16