Performance comparison of Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11ac and Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11n

Abstract

This paper's objective is to present the performance comparison between Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11ac and Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11n by measuring the throughput and steaming rate of big data streaming. The performance test is divided into four scenarios, 1) data streaming to one device, 2) data streaming with different distances, 3) data streaming to multiple devices, and 4) live broadcast a big data streaming. The results of evaluations are as follow. In the first scenario, maximum transfer rate of IEEE 802.11ac is higher but the average transfer rate depends on the video type. In second scenario, maximum transfer rate to the first and second device of IEEE 802.11ac is significantly greater than IEEE 802.11n but IEEE 802.11ac cannot reach the third device which located on the different floor, while IEEE 802.11n can reach the third device with maximum transfer rate of 942.8 kbps. The throughput of IEEE 802.11ac is more stable than IEEE 802.11n by compare the data from the first and second device. In third scenario, the maximum transfer rate of IEEE 802.11ac is higher than IEEE 802.11n and throughput of IEEE 802.11ac is more stable than IEEE 802.11n. In fourth scenario, the maximum transfer rate and average transfer rate of IEEE 802.11ac is higher than IEEE 802.11n.