The Qualcomm QCA9984 is a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) chipset, designed specifically for high-performance wireless networking applications. It is a Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) chip with support for MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input Multiple Output), Beamforming, and 256-QAM for increased throughput. It's commonly used in routers, gateways, and other Wi-Fi access points.

If you're looking for equivalent or alternative Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) ICs with similar performance and features, here are some options from other major chipset manufacturers that support similar functionality:

1. Broadcom BCM43602

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Bands: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

• Features:

  • Supports MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and 256-QAM.

  • Enhanced for high-performance routing and Wi-Fi applications, with a focus on mobile and home networking devices.

• Applications: Used in high-performance routers, access points, and mesh systems.

• Advantages: Broadcom is one of the leading manufacturers of Wi-Fi chips, known for high performance and wide compatibility.

  
  

2. MediaTek MT7615

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Bands: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

• Features:

  • Supports MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and 256-QAM for increased data rates.

  • Integrated Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 functionality.

• Applications: Commonly found in home routers, mesh systems, and wireless access points.

• Advantages: MediaTek offers cost-effective solutions while maintaining solid performance and reliability.

  
  

3. Qualcomm QCA9886

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Bands: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

• Features:

  • Supports MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and 256-QAM.

  • This chip is a direct predecessor to the QCA9984, providing similar features for wireless routers and access points.

• Applications: Ideal for mid-range to high-end routers, gateways, and mesh networks.

• Advantages: As a Qualcomm chip, it has a high level of integration and compatibility, making it a reliable alternative in a similar market.

  
  

4. Intel Wireless AC 9260

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Bands: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

• Features:

  • Supports MU-MIMO, Wave 2 technologies, and 160 MHz channel width for faster speeds.

  • Integrated Bluetooth 5.0 functionality.

• Applications: Primarily used in laptops, desktops, and other consumer electronics for high-speed Wi-Fi connections.

• Advantages: Intel offers high-quality wireless chips with great performance and strong compatibility, especially for client-side devices.

  
  

5. Realtek RTL8812AE

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Bands: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

• Features:

  • Supports MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and 256-QAM for optimized performance and coverage.

  • Often used in consumer-grade routers, access points, and network adapters.

• Applications: Used in routers, Wi-Fi adapters, and embedded systems.

• Advantages: Realtek offers a balance between performance and cost, making it suitable for both consumer and SMB applications.

  
  

6. Marvell 88W8997

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Bands: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

• Features:

  • Supports MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and 256-QAM.

  • Can be used in both consumer and enterprise routers, access points, and IoT devices.

• Applications: Found in high-performance wireless routers, gateways, and access points.

• Advantages: Marvell’s Wi-Fi solutions are designed to offer solid performance with a focus on power efficiency.

  
  

7. Qualcomm QCA9888

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)

• Bands: Dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz)

• Features:

  • Supports MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and 256-QAM for high throughput and better overall coverage.

  • This chip is a good alternative from Qualcomm itself, especially for applications requiring high-performance wireless connectivity.

• Applications: Typically used in routers, gateways, and wireless access points in home or office environments.

• Advantages: As a part of Qualcomm's Wi-Fi 5 chipset family, it offers robust performance and a reliable alternative to the QCA9984.

  
  

Key Considerations:

• Wi-Fi Standard: All these chips are Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), so they will offer similar performance in terms of speeds, range, and features such as MU-MIMO, Beamforming, and 256-QAM.

• Dual-Band Support: Like the QCA9984, most of these chips support dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).

• Applications: These chips are typically used in routers, gateways, mesh systems, and access points, though some (like the Intel chips) can also be found in laptops or client devices.

• Bluetooth Integration: Some chips, like the MediaTek MT7615 and Intel 9260, also integrate Bluetooth (often Bluetooth 5.0), so they can be a good choice if you need both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionality in your design.

  
  

Conclusion:

The Qualcomm QCA9984 is a powerful Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) solution with support for MU-MIMO and Beamforming, and several alternatives offer similar or even enhanced functionality. Depending on your exact requirements—whether it's cost, power efficiency, or integration with Bluetooth—you might consider alternatives like the Broadcom BCM43602, Qualcomm QCA9886, MediaTek MT7615, or Realtek RTL8812AE. These chips all offer competitive features for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) networking, making them solid replacements or alternatives to the QCA9984.