Intel has quietly launched its first Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless network adapter, codenamed Cyclone Peak. The new WLAN adapter will deliver up to 2.4 Gbps network throughput when used with a compatible access point, but, like Wi-Fi 6 in general, its main advantage is that it will work better than existing adapters in RF-noisy environments where multiple Wi-Fi networks co-exist.

The Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 is a CNVi WLAN card that supports 802.11ax via 2x2 MU-MIMO antennas over the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. And never found too far from a Wi-Fi card, Intel's AX200 also supports Bluetooth 5.0.

The maximum throughput supported by the Wi-Fi 6 AX200 is a speedy 2.4 Gbps, but the key advantage of the Wi-Fi 6/802.11ax technology is not necessarily peak bandwidth, but rather improved spectral efficiency when working with compatible APs. In particular, the tech adds OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) to allow different devices to be served by one channel, by dedicating different sub-carriers for individual client devices. As a result, even existing Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) client devices can benefit from a Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) AP, though matching Wi-Fi 6 devices will deliver the best results.

The Wi-Fi 6 AX200 devices come in M.2-1216 or M.2-2230 form-factors, interacing with host PCs over a combined PCIe 3.0 x1 (Wi-Fi) and USB 2.0 (Bluetooth) connection. The adapter should be compatible with all existing desktop, laptop, and tablet PCs that support CNVi WLAN solutions. CNVi itself is relatively new – the roll-out plans for it were disrupted by the quasi-cancelation of Intel's 10nm Cannon Lake processors – but will be growing in number as Intel launches more CNVi-capable chipsets and platforms.

Intel’s web-site says that the first Cyclone Peak wireless network adapter has been launched, so the device is available to makers of PCs. Depending on the order, the Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 costs Intel’s customers from $10 to $17.

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Source: Intel (Thanks, SH SOTN)

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  • Xajel - Thursday, April 4, 2019 - link

    Now lets wait for Ubiquiti to release the successor of UniFi-AC-Pro and nanoHD with WiFi-6 support. Hopefully with a proper multi gigabit ports too; 5Gbps should be good.

    Oh wait, they're taking their time with it. it might be a long wait.
  • oRAirwolf - Friday, April 5, 2019 - link

    Compex will probably release something first. I run an ap ac pro, but compex makes some fun diy ap hardware.
  • MDD1963 - Friday, April 5, 2019 - link

    Can't wait to get one of these, hoping it makes my 750 Mbps internet connection seem even faster...somehow! :/

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