Wi-Fi throughput, in simple terms, refers to the actual maximum speed supported by Wi-Fi devices (AP/STA) on both uplink and downlink channels. It is a form of stress testing that closely resembles real-world usage scenarios, especially as products increasingly transition towards wireless connectivity, with wired Ethernet ports gradually fading out.

Tools for Wi-Fi Throughput Testing

• iPerf: This is a cross-platform network performance testing tool supporting Win/Linux/Mac/Android/iOS, etc. iPerf can test TCP and UDP bandwidth quality, measure maximum TCP bandwidth, and report bandwidth, latency jitter, and packet loss. For devices requiring large data transfers, iPerf is a crucial testing tool.

• Wi-Fi Box: Produced by Ruijie, this powerful Wi-Fi testing tool directly detects aspects like signal level, rate, interference, security, and displays detailed test results. Wi-Fi Box also offers functions like network measurement, channel analysis, roaming analysis, Ping, etc., providing intuitive insight into current carrier bandwidth, signal level, channel information, etc.
• NetStumbler: A classic free tool mainly used for detecting 802.11 a/b/g WLAN and assisting in configuring, validating, and identifying weak signals. However, it's worth noting that NetStumbler's last update was in 2004 and may not be as applicable to the latest wireless environments.
• Xirrus Wi-Fi Inspector: Provided by Xirrus, known for its array-based Wi-Fi systems, this tool is primarily used for troubleshooting and design.
• Tamosoft Throughput Test: A free tool that quickly provides performance data for wireless and wired networks. This tool continuously sends TCP and UDP data across networks to measure uplink and downlink throughput, as well as packet loss information and round-trip time.
• IxChariot: An application layer performance testing software from US-based IXIA, it's a unique and industry-recognized testing system in the application layer performance testing field. IxChariot evaluates the performance and capacity of network applications, providing throughput, latency, and packet loss performance under different applications and parameters.

Factors Affecting Wi-Fi Throughput

Software Factors

• Background scanning, Bluetooth coexistence, EDCA contention, RTS/CTS frames, and screen-off power-saving modes may all affect Wi-Fi throughput.

Hardware Factors
Transmitter: Transmit power, scattering, and other characteristics affect signal transmission quality.
Receiver: Receiver sensitivity, multi-antenna reception differences, inter-board interference, etc., affect signal reception.
Environmental Factors

• Co-channel Interference: When multiple Wi-Fi devices communicate on the same frequency, interference occurs, reducing throughput.
• Adjacent Channel Interference: Although theoretically different frequency Wi-Fi devices do not interfere with each other, there may still be interference if the frequencies are close.
• Low-rate Device NAV: If there are many low-rate devices in the network, they will occupy more channel resources, leading to a decrease in overall throughput.

Other System Performance

• CPU Scheduling: Improper CPU scheduling may slow down network processing speed, affecting throughput.
• Management Control: Some network management software may restrict or optimize Wi-Fi connections, affecting throughput.
• Application Sensitivity: Different applications have different network performance requirements; some may require higher throughput to function properly.

Coverage Area
In scenarios with low population density, the coverage range of wireless APs affects throughput. Excessive coverage may lead to signal attenuation and decreased throughput, while insufficient coverage cannot meet user needs.
Number of Users
In high-density areas, too many users may cause network congestion, reducing throughput. Different models of wireless APs have different recommended numbers of connected users in different scenarios and need to be selected according to actual conditions.
Chip Selection and Layout Design
Choosing suitable chips for product applications and reasonable layout designs are crucial for improving Wi-Fi throughput. For example, the theoretical rate of the physical layer and the supported communication interface types will directly determine the throughput of products designed with this chip. Factors such as Wi-Fi signal isolation, power processing, and the layout of interference devices in layout design will also affect Wi-Fi RF indicators.

How to Optimize Wi-Fi Throughput

Select Suitable Channels

• Use professional Wi-Fi analysis tools to check the surrounding wireless environment and find the best channels.
• Avoid using the same channels as other wireless devices to reduce interference.

Optimize the Position of Wireless Routers

• Place wireless routers in the center of the room to ensure uniform coverage of wireless signals throughout the area.
• Avoid placing wireless routers near metal objects or appliances as they may interfere with wireless signals.

Update Router Firmware and Drivers
Ensure that your wireless router firmware and network adapter drivers on your computer are up to date for optimal performance and compatibility.
Use the 5GHz Band
If your devices support the 5GHz band, try to use it. The 5GHz band is less susceptible to interference than the 2.4GHz band and can provide higher data transmission rates.
Turn Off Unnecessary Services and Applications
Turn off unnecessary services and applications running in the background to reduce network load and interference.
Use QOS (Quality of Service) Features
If your router supports QOS features, use them to prioritize important network traffic such as video streaming or online gaming.
Limit the Number of Wireless Access Points
Too many wireless access points in one area may cause channel congestion and interference. Try reducing the number of wireless access points or adjusting their channel settings.
Use Network Encryption and Security Measures
Use strong encryption algorithms like WPA2-PSK to protect your wireless network from unauthorized access and interference.
Optimize TCP/IP Settings
Adjust TCP/IP settings such as MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit) size and window size according to your network environment and requirements for better network performance. If you require high-speed data transmission, consider using external devices like powerline adapters or wireless repeaters to extend your wireless network coverage and throughput.
Regularly Restart the Router
Sometimes simply restarting the router can resolve network issues, including decreased throughput.
Monitor and Adjust Network Load
Use network monitoring tools to see which devices or applications are consuming a lot of network resources and adjust as needed.
Test Environment Selection
It is recommended to conduct testing in a shielded darkroom to shield the influence of multiple wireless signals.

The Significance of Testing Wi-Fi Throughput

Performance Evaluation
Wi-Fi throughput is a key indicator for evaluating wireless network performance. By measuring and comparing Wi-Fi throughput, you can understand the performance of the network under different conditions, thereby evaluating its robustness and stability.
User Experience
Wi-Fi throughput directly affects users' network usage experience. Higher throughput means users can download files, upload data, watch HD videos, or engage in real-time communication faster. In a high-throughput network environment, users can enjoy smoother, higher-quality network services.
Network Optimization
By analyzing Wi-Fi throughput data, you can identify bottlenecks and potential issues in the network, allowing for targeted optimization. For example, if low throughput is found in a certain area, it may be due to inadequate signal coverage, device interference, or configuration issues, which can be improved by increasing the number of APs, adjusting channels, or optimizing configurations.
Device Selection
Wi-Fi throughput is an important reference indicator when purchasing network devices. Different brands and models of devices may have differences in throughput. Choosing devices with high throughput can ensure that the network can meet the demands of future business growth.
Network Planning
When planning wireless networks, factors such as network coverage, user density, and business requirements need to be considered regarding the impact on Wi-Fi throughput. By properly planning network architecture, deploying device locations, and selecting appropriate transmission protocols, network throughput performance can be improved.
Fault Diagnosis
When network failures or performance degradation occur, Wi-Fi throughput data can serve as important evidence for fault diagnosis. By analyzing throughput data at different time periods and locations, you can pinpoint the cause and location of the problem, quickly resolve the issue, and restore normal network operation.

Conclusion

In today's increasingly popular wireless networks, Wi-Fi throughput, as one of the key performance indicators of network connectivity, is crucial for ensuring smooth and efficient network connections. From device selection, network planning, fault diagnosis to user experience improvement, Wi-Fi throughput plays an indispensable role. As technology continues to advance, our requirements for Wi-Fi throughput are also increasing. From the initial tens of megabits to today's hundreds of megabits, or even gigabits, the improvement in Wi-Fi throughput not only brings faster data transmission speeds but also unprecedented convenience and comfort when enjoying network services. However, improving Wi-Fi throughput is not achieved overnight. It requires us to continuously pay attention to the development trends of network technology, choose high-performance network devices, plan network architecture reasonably, and continuously optimize network configurations. Only in this way can we ensure that the network can meet the growing demands of business and provide users with more stable and efficient network services. At the same time, we also need to recognize that Wi-Fi throughput is not the only performance indicator. In practical applications, we also need to pay attention to other indicators such as network latency, packet loss rate, coverage range, etc., to comprehensively evaluate network performance. In summary, as one of the key performance indicators of network connectivity, Wi-Fi throughput is crucial for ensuring smooth and efficient network connections. We should continuously pay attention to the development trends of network technology, choose high-performance network devices, plan network architecture reasonably, and continuously optimize network configurations to ensure that the network can meet the growing demands of business and provide users with better quality network services.