11. Throughput vs. Distance

I ran my four-location throughput test using IXIA's Chariot for 11a, 11a Turbo, and 11g operation. Figure 10 shows the 11g mode results.

Figure 10: Four Condition 11g Throughput test - FWAG114
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

For comparison, here's the 11g plot from the Broadcom / Atheros based Linksys WRT55AG review.

Figure 11: Four Condition 11g Throughput test - WRT55AG
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

No comparison, eh? Granted the WRT55AG was tested with draft-11g firmware, but even if you use the throughput results from its 11g-only sibling, the WRT54G, the FWAG still has superior overall throughput vs. range, but is at a slight disadvantage for best-case average throughput.

Moving on to 11a performance, let's once again compare the FWAG (Figure 12) to the WRT55AG (Figure 13).

Figure 12: Four Condition 11a Throughput test - FWAG114
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

Figure 13: Four Condition 11a Throughput test - WRT55AG
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

Although there are more similarities in 11a performance, the FWAG's radio uses a newer Atheros chipset, which appears to give it an edge over the WRT55AG in low-signal conditions.

The best news, however, is the FWAG's 11a Turbo performance shown in Figure 14.

Figure 13: Four Condition 11a Turbo Throughput test - FWAG114
(click on the image for a full-sized view)

There's no Linksys comparison plot because the WRT55AG didn't provide an 11a Turbo mode. This plot clearly shows that Atheros' 802.11a technology can deliver high throughput under indoor test conditions and maximum throughput superior to 802.11g - with or without "packet-bursting" throughput enhancements.

802.11g Wireless Performance Test Results

See details of how we test.