The Qualcomm WCN3950 is a dual-mode wireless connectivity IC that integrates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functionalities for Mobile Devices, smartphones, tablets, and other portable electronics. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) and Bluetooth 5.0 (including Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE) technologies. This chip is designed for applications requiring high-speed data transfer, low-power operation, and dual-mode connectivity for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi communication.

If you're looking for equivalent ICs to the Qualcomm WCN3950, you would want other dual-mode Wi-Fi + Bluetooth solutions from different manufacturers that offer similar features. Here are some alternatives:

Equivalent ICs to the Qualcomm WCN3950

1. Broadcom

Broadcom provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combo ICs that integrate Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities for mobile devices and consumer electronics.

• Broadcom BCM43455: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo chip. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and is designed for smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices. It offers similar features to the WCN3950 for high-speed data and low-power performance.

• Broadcom BCM4335: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 4.2 combo chip, suitable for smartphones and consumer electronics. While it supports Bluetooth 4.2 instead of 5.0, it offers similar Wi-Fi features and performance.

• Broadcom BCM43684: A more advanced Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.1 combo chip. This offers better performance with the latest Wi-Fi standards and Bluetooth 5.1, providing high-speed wireless connectivity and low-latency features, which may be suitable for newer devices requiring higher performance.

2. MediaTek

MediaTek offers a range of dual-mode wireless chips with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies, providing alternatives to the Qualcomm WCN3950.

• MediaTek MT6630: This Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo chip supports both high-speed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. It is used in smartphones and consumer electronics, offering robust dual-mode wireless connectivity.

• MediaTek MT7615: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo chip suitable for IoT devices and smartphones. It integrates high-speed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0, making it a strong contender to the WCN3950.

• MediaTek MT7921: A more advanced Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2 combo chip that supports the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. It is an excellent option for next-gen mobile devices, providing greater throughput and lower latency.

3. Realtek

Realtek also provides a variety of Wi-Fi + Bluetooth combo ICs for smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices.

• Realtek RTL8822BU: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 4.2 combo IC designed for consumer electronics like wireless headphones, tablets, and laptops. While it supports Bluetooth 4.2, it offers a good alternative for applications requiring Wi-Fi 5.

• Realtek RTL8761B: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo IC. It offers dual-mode Bluetooth 5.0 and high-speed Wi-Fi 5, making it a suitable choice for IoT devices and wireless audio applications.

• Realtek RTL8822CS: This is a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo solution that integrates both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies for consumer devices like smartphones and audio products.

4. Qualcomm (Alternative Models)

Qualcomm provides several dual-mode and multi-function wireless ICs that combine Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, similar to the WCN3950.

• Qualcomm WCN3660: This Wi-Fi + Bluetooth combo IC supports Wi-Fi 802.11n/ac (Wi-Fi 5) and Bluetooth 4.1/4.2, providing dual-mode support for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. It is used in smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.

• Qualcomm QCA6174A: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo chip. It is designed for high-performance mobile devices and consumer electronics with support for advanced Bluetooth features such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Wi-Fi 5.

• Qualcomm QCA9377: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 4.2 combo IC. It provides Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for a wide range of devices, similar to the WCN3950.

5. NXP Semiconductors

NXP provides a range of dual-mode connectivity solutions for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth integration.

• NXP IW416: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo chip that supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in a single IC, making it suitable for mobile devices, IoT devices, and wireless audio solutions.

• NXP QN9080: A Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) combo chip suitable for low-power applications such as smart wearables, headphones, and other consumer electronics. It integrates Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for Wireless Communication.

6. Intel

Intel offers dual-mode wireless chips that integrate both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for PCs, laptops, and other devices.

• Intel AX200: A Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.1 combo chip. While this is an advanced solution supporting the latest Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 standards, it is ideal for high-performance devices such as laptops and desktops.

• Intel 7260AC: A Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) + Bluetooth 4.0/4.1 combo solution, typically used in laptops and desktops for wireless connectivity. It supports dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, offering good performance for consumer devices.

7. Broadcom (Wi-Fi 6 Solutions)

For Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) solutions, Broadcom offers more advanced ICs with Bluetooth integration:

• Broadcom BCM4375: A Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.0 combo chip designed for high-performance wireless communication in mobile devices, smartphones, and next-gen IoT.

• Broadcom BCM43684: A Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.1 combo chip that offers advanced features for mobile devices requiring the latest Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.

Key Features to Compare:

When choosing an equivalent IC to the Qualcomm WCN3950, consider the following features:

• Wi-Fi Standards: Look for support for Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), depending on your device's needs.

• Bluetooth Version: Ensure support for Bluetooth 5.0 (or 5.1/5.2) for compatibility with the latest Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) features.

• Dual Mode Operation: The IC must support both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth simultaneously for applications requiring both types of connectivity.

• Power Efficiency: Low-power solutions are essential for battery-powered devices like smartphones and wearables.

• Performance: Look for high data rates for Wi-Fi, low-latency Bluetooth, and dual-band support.

Conclusion:

The Qualcomm WCN3950 is a dual-mode wireless IC that supports Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0 for mobile and consumer devices. Equivalent alternatives include:

• Broadcom BCM43455, BCM4335, BCM43684.

• MediaTek MT6630, MT7615, MT7921.

• Realtek RTL8822BU, RTL8761B, RTL8822CS.

• Qualcomm WCN3660, QCA6174A, QCA9377.

• NXP IW416, QN9080.

• Intel AX200, 7260AC.

These ICs offer similar or improved features for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity in smartphones, tablets, and other portable devices, and the choice will depend on the required performance, power efficiency, and standards for your specific application.