Multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) is a feature introduced midway through the WiFi 5 generation as part of the IEEE 802.11ac Wave 2 standard. MU-MIMO operates in the downstream direction (broadcaster to client) and allows a WiFi router or access point to transmit to multiple client devices simultaneously.
MU-MIMO can reduce latency and improve performance during data-intense activities such as streaming video, video conferencing, or viewing webinars. Because the broadcast device never interrupts its connection to the client to communicate with other clients, MU-MIMO can minimize jittery video, freezes, and buffering. MU-MIMO can also help to reduce network congestion and improve download speeds.
MU-MIMO’s predecessor, single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO), was introduced in the WiFi 4 (802.11n) generation. SU-MIMO also allows multiple simultaneous transmissions, but only to one client device at a time.
If you want to use MU-MIMO in your home or business wireless network, both your client device and your router or access point must support the 802.11ac Wave 2 standard at a minimum. MU-MIMO only takes effect when two or more client devices that support MU-MIMO are connected.
While MU-MIMO provides a situational performance benefit to many devices, it can in rare cases cause connection instability for older devices. Depending on the age of your router or access point and the installed firmware version, MU-MIMO might or might not be enabled by default. We recommend enabling MU-MIMO unless you experience connection issues with it turned on. For more information, see How do I enable or disable MU-MIMO on my NETGEAR router?
The WiFi 6 (802.11ax) standard enables MU-MIMO to connect to even more devices than the WiFi 5 implementation. For more information, see How is WiFi 6 different from WiFi 5?
Last Updated:02/04/2022
|
Article ID: 31309