Silex Unwired

5x Faster Roaming: NXP-based SX-SDMAX Sets the Bar for Wi-Fi Performance for Medical Devices

 

In a hospital environment, unlike a home network, there can be thousands of Wi-Fi access points. This makes connectivity more challenging and critical, requiring devices to roam seamlessly from one access point to the next.

Even with an advanced Wi-Fi network, a device's performance and mobility in a hospital setting are particularly complex and largely depend on the device’s Wi-Fi capabilities. These devices such, as a patient-worn monitor, make critical Wi-Fi decisions for when to disconnect from one AP and re-connect to the next, without dropouts of its real-time data.

Watch this video for more on Wi-Fi roaming in medical devices and how Silex outperforms the competition.

 

Testing Roaming Speed Performance

Silex conducted nearly 1,000 roaming tests to identify differences in performance across various modules. The modules tested included: 

  • Infineon AIROC CYW5573- based module
  • Silex SX-SDMAX, based on NXP IW611 with NXP standard reference driver
  • Silex SX-SDMAX, based on NXP IW611 with Silex reference driver


Roaming speed test results

 

The results

Solution

Mean*

Infineon-based module

115.85 ms

SX-SDMAX with Silex optimized reference driver

24.66 ms

SX-SDMAX with standard NXP reference driver

36.12 ms

*Mean (trimmed): avg. with the removal of 5% of largest and smallest figures.


How does the SX-SDMAX perform 5x faster roaming speed? 

SX-SDMAX-2530STwo critical factors must be considered to achieve seamless roaming. The first is roam time or the time it takes for a device to switch access points. The second, equally or perhaps more important, is the threshold at which the module decides to initiate roaming.

Through extensive testing, Silex has identified optimal configurations to enable seamless roaming. Our testing reveals that many modules fail to roam efficiently. As a device moves further from its connected access point, the signal weakens, and RF interference generally increases. This reduced signal strength and heightened interference can cause data packets to drop, prompting repeated transmission attempts.

The Infineon solution, however, is not optimized to trigger roaming at the appropriate time, holding on to a weaker signal for too long—a critical issue for patient care devices that must maintain continuous connectivity. 

 

Silex + NXP 

NXP Gold Partner Logo (1)

Silex is an NXP Gold Partner. We are recognized as a knowledgeable and experienced partner that rounds out their enablement, especially in the medical device field. The SX-SDMAX, the dual-band Wi-Fi 6 plus Bluetooth combo SDIO module is powered by NXP and with its enhanced reference drivers, is an optimized solution for mission-critical medical applications.

 

Learn more about Silex + NXP partnership and our optimized plug-and-play Wi-Fi solutions for NXP platforms.