Embedded wireless modules can be designed for use in either access points (APs), wireless client stations, or sometimes both.  The following post will help you understand the role and key differences between access points and station/client applications, and how to decipher the right connectivity solution for your needs.

Let’s first explain the difference between access point applications and station/client applications.

What is an access point (AP) module? 

An access point serves as a central hub within a wireless network, allowing multiple devices to connect and communicate with each other or with a wired network. It acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, extending the range of the network and allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi. So modules that are designed to be used in such applications are called access point modules. 

What is a station module?

A station module, or “client”, is any device that connects to a wireless network provided by an access point. These are end-user devices, such as smartphones or other Wi-Fi enabled devices that rely on the access point to connect to the broader network. These are devices that connect to an access point. The wireless modules used for such devices are called station modules. 

SoftAP mode

Station/client modules can be configured as access points. This special function or mode is called “SoftAP” mode, also referred to as Software Enabled Access Point. The key difference is that this configuration is via the software as the function, and is not designed on the hardware side.

Access point modules are designed differently, both from a hardware and software perspective, when compared to a station module. It is very important to understand when to use which module. 

When an access point is required

In the design process, attributes such as speed, reliability, enterprise security, client count, virtual ends, and multiple SSID are important to know specific needs. 

• Speed: a high-speed access point is crucial for strong signal throughput and greater user capacity.
• Reliability: Access points that come with the latest industry communication standards like Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) ensure a reliable network without buffering or interruptions. 
• Enterprise security: Wireless access points must provide security for network monitoring and mitigation of threats. 
• Client count: if hundreds of simultaneous clients need to be on the network, then an access point is needed.
• Virtual LAN: Multiple VAPs can exist within a single physical AP. This allows for segmenting wireless network services within a single radio frequency. VAPs allow the network administrator configurations on a single physical interface. 
• Multiplied SSID, Guest access, etc: A guest Wi-Fi network is essentially a separate access point on your router. Supporting multiple SSIDs is an important feature that many AP manufacturers need for their devices. 

Access point vs. station differences

Now let’s get into the details. The table below shows key technical points of comparison between the two modules. 

Knowing the specifics of your application requirements will lead you to the right connectivity product sooner. Silex offers both station and access point modules with the SX-PCEAX and SX-PCEAX-AP series. 

The SX-PCEAX is a tri-band IEEE 802.11abgn/ac/ax WLAN radio plus Bluetooth 5.2 BR/EDR/LE combo module based on Qualcomm’s QCA2066 SoC. It’s one of the industry’s first Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E modules that provides the benefits of Wi-Fi 6 to the 6 GHz for improved capacity and performance, and comes in multiple form factors. The SX-PCEAX can be used as a soft access point (SoftAP) or software-enabled access point that can support 32 client connections. Using the SX-PCEAX in SoftAP mode may work for some applications, but not for gateways, routers, or as an access point for devices.

The SX-PCEAX-AP series (PCEAX-AP and PCEAX-AP6E) is a IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 and 6E) WLAN access point module using Qualcomm’s QCN9072 chipset. These 6 GHz embedded wireless LAN modules are ideal for access points, gateways, and routers in medical and industrial applications. 

The SX-PCEAX and AP series are designed to future-proof your medical/industrial devices, enabling long product life cycles of 10-15 years. With Silex’s wireless expertise and custom driver support, we can help save tens of thousands of development hours, and provide software, hardware, and certification support. To learn more about these products, visit the product pages linked below or reach out to our sales team. 

Silex products

SX-PCEAX

SX-PCEAX-AP 

SX-PCEAX-AP6E