Ubiquiti QCA9994 Application guide

QCA9994 Dual-Band 4x4 with 4 SS MIMO
802.11a/n/ac WLAN SoC
Device Specification

1Introduction
1.1 General description
The QCA9994 with Qualcomm
®
VIVE
TM
802.11ac technology is a highly integrated wireless local area
network (WLAN) system-on-chip (SoC) for 5 GHz 802.11ac. The QCA9994 is a synthesizer WLAN ra-
dio with 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz support. It includes a CPU and memory for WLAN media access
layer (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) management and provides host offload of other high-level net-
working tasks. It enables high-performance 4x4 MIMO with 4 spatial streams for wireless applications
demanding the highest robust link quality and maximum throughput and range, plus 4 spatial stream
MU-MIMO. The QCA9994 integrates a multi-protocol MAC, PHY, analog-to-digital/digital-to-analog
converters (ADC/DAC), 4x4 MIMO radio transceivers, and PCIE interface in an all-CMOS device for
low power consumption and small form-factor applications.
The QCA9994 implements half-duplex OFDM, supporting 1.733 Gbps for 802.11ac 160/80+80/80 MHz
channel operation in 5 GHz mode, and IEEE 802.11a/n/ac data rates. Additional features include 802.11ac
explicit transmit beamforming (TxBF), 802.11 compatible implicit TxBF, multi-user MIMO (MU-
MIMO), Dynamic Bandwidth Switching, Per Packet Switching between 4SS/80 MHz and 2SS/160/80+80
MHz, Maximal Likelihood (ML) decoding, Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC), Maximal Ratio Combin-
ing (MRC), Space Time Block Code (STBC), and On-Chip OneTime Programmable (OTP) memory to
eliminate the need for an external flash and to further reduce the external component count and BOM cost.
The QCA9994 supports 802.11 wireless MAC protocol, 802.11i security, Wi-Fi offload, error recovery,
and 802.11e quality of service (QoS).
The QCA9994 supports up to four simultaneous spatial streams integrating four Tx and four Rx chains for
high throughput and extended coverage. Tx chains combine PHY in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals,
convert them to the desired frequency, and drive the RF signal through external power amplifiers (PAs). Rx
chains receive from antennas through external LNAs. The frequency synthesizer supports 1-MHz steps to
match frequencies defined by IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac specifications. The QCA9994 supports frame data
transfer to and from the host using a PCIE interface that supports interrupt generation and reporting and
status reporting. Other external interfaces include EEPROM and GPIOs.

QCA9994 Dual-Band 4x4 with 4 SS MIMO 802.11ac/abgn WLAN SoC Device Specification Introduction
1.2 Features
General
 4x4 SU-/MU-MIMO technology improves effective throughput and range over existing 802.11a/n/
ac
products
 Support for up to four spatial streams
 Support for 48-MHz crystal
 156-pin, 12 mm x 12 mm DRQFN package
 Package footprint compatible with QCA9980/QCA9990
WLAN
 Dual-synthesizer WLAN radio with 160 MHz and 80+80 MHz support
 Supports 20/40/80/160/80+80 MHz at 5 GHz
 Supports up to 256 QAM
 Data rates of up to 1.733 Gbps in 802.11ac 80 MHz channels using reduced (short) guard interval (GI)
 Multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) beamformer
 802.11ac explicit transmit beamforming (TxBF) and legacy implicit TxBF for both beamformer and
beamformee
 TCP and UDP checksum offload
 Dynamic bandwidth switching
 Per-packet switching between 4SS/80 MHz, 2SS/160 or 80+80 MHz
 Dynamic frequency selection (DFS) in required 5-GHz bands when used as an AP
 Maximal likelihood (ML) decoding
 Supports spatial multiplexing, cyclic-delay diversity (CDD), low-density parity check (LDPC),
maximal ratio combining (MRC), Space Time Block Code (STBC)
 AMSDU and AMPDU frame aggregation
 802.11e-compatible bursting
 Digital predistortion
 Support for locationing (RSSI and RTT-based, 802.11REVmc compliant)
Supported Standards
 802.11a/n/ac
 Support for IEEE 802.11d, e, h, i, j, k, r, u, v time stamp, w, and z standards
CPU/Memory
 Integrated CPU for Wi-Fi offload with memory
 On-chip OTP memory

Safety Notices
1. Read, follow, and keep these instructions.
2. Heed all warnings.
3. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer.
WARNING: Do not use this product in location that can
be submerged by water.
WARNING: Avoid using this product during an electrical
storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from
lightning.
Electrical Safety Information
1. Compliance is required with respect to voltage, frequency, and current
requirements indicated on the manufacturer’s label. Connection to a
different power source than those specified may result in improper
operation, damage to the equipment or pose a fire hazard if the
limitations are not followed.
2. There are no operator serviceable parts inside this equipment. Service
should be provided only by a qualified service technician.
3. This equipment is provided with a detachable power cord which has
an integral safety ground wire intended for connection to a grounded
safety outlet.
a. Do not substitute the power cord with one that is not the provided
approved type. Never use an adapter plug to connect to a 2-wire
outlet as this will defeat the continuity of the grounding wire.
b. The equipment requires the use of the ground wire as a part of the
safety certification, modification or misuse can provide a shock
hazard that can result in serious injury or death.
c. Contact a qualified electrician or the manufacturer if there
are questions about the installation prior to connecting the
equipment.
d. Protective earthing is provided by Listed AC adapter. Building
installation shall provide appropriate short-circuit backup
protection.
e. Protective bonding must be installed in accordance with local
national wiring rules and regulations.

Limited Warranty
UBIQUITI NETWORKS, Inc (“UBIQUITI NETWORKS”) warrants that the
product(s) furnished hereunder (the “Product(s)”) shall be free from defects
in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date
of shipment by UBIQUITI NETWORKS under normal use and operation.
UBIQUITI NETWORKS’ sole and exclusive obligation and liability under
the foregoing warranty shall be for UBIQUITI NETWORKS, at its discretion,
to repair or replace any Product that fails to conform to the above
warranty during the above warranty period. The expense of removal and
reinstallation of any Product is not included in this warranty. The warranty
period of any repaired or replaced Product shall not extend beyond its
original term.
Warranty Conditions
The above warranty does not apply if the Product:
(I) has been modified and/or altered, or an addition made thereto,
except by Ubiquiti Networks, or Ubiquiti Networks’ authorized
representatives, or as approved by Ubiquiti Networks in writing;
(II) has been painted, rebranded or physically modified in any way;
(III) has been damaged due to errors or defects in cabling;
(IV) has been subjected to misuse, abuse, negligence, abnormal
physical, electromagnetic or electrical stress, including lightning
strikes, or accident;
(V) has been damaged or impaired as a result of using third party
firmware;
(VI) has no original Ubiquiti MAC label, or is missing any other original
Ubiquiti label(s); or
(VII) has not been received by Ubiquiti within 30 days of issuance of
the RMA.
In addition, the above warranty shall apply only if: the product has been
properly installed and used at all times in accordance, and in all material
respects, with the applicable Product documentation; all Ethernet cabling
runs use CAT5 (or above), and for outdoor installations, shielded Ethernet
cabling is used, and for indoor installations, indoor cabling requirements
are followed.
Returns
No Products will be accepted for replacement or repair without obtaining
a Return Materials Authorization (RMA) number from UBIQUITI NETWORKS
during the warranty period, and the Products being received at UBIQUITI
NETWORKS’ facility freight prepaid in accordance with the RMA process of
UBIQUITI NETWORKS. Products returned without an RMA number will not
be processed and will be returned freight collect or subject to disposal.
Information on the RMA process and obtaining an RMA number can be
found at: www.ubnt.com/support/warranty.

Disclaimer
EXCEPT FOR ANY EXPRESS WARRANTIES PROVIDED HEREIN, UBIQUITI
NETWORKS, ITS AFFILIATES, AND ITS AND THEIR THIRD PARTY DATA,
SERVICE, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE PROVIDERS HEREBY DISCLAIM
AND MAKE NO OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
REPRESENTATIONS, GUARANTEES, OR WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
ACCURACY, QUALITY OF SERVICE OR RESULTS, AVAILABILITY,
SATISFACTORY QUALITY, LACK OF VIRUSES, QUIET ENJOYMENT, FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT AND ANY
WARRANTIES ARISING FROM ANY COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OR
TRADE PRACTICE IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT NEITHER UBIQUITI NETWORKS NOR
ITS THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS CONTROL BUYER’S EQUIPMENT OR THE
TRANSFER OF DATA OVER COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, INCLUDING
THE INTERNET, AND THAT THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MAY BE
SUBJECT TO LIMITATIONS, INTERRUPTIONS, DELAYS, CANCELLATIONS
AND OTHER PROBLEMS INHERENT IN THE USE OF COMMUNICATIONS
FACILITIES. UBIQUITI NETWORKS, ITS AFFILIATES AND ITS AND THEIR THIRD
PARTY PROVIDERS ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INTERRUPTIONS,
DELAYS, CANCELLATIONS, DELIVERY FAILURES, DATA LOSS, CONTENT
CORRUPTION, PACKET LOSS, OR OTHER DAMAGE RESULTING FROM ANY
OF THE FOREGOING. In addition, UBIQUITI NETWORKS does not warrant
that the operation of the Products will be error-free or that operation will
be uninterrupted. In no event shall UBIQUITI NETWORKS be responsible
for damages or claims of any nature or description relating to system
performance, including coverage, buyer’s selection of products (including
the Products) for buyer’s application and/or failure of products (including
the Products) to meet government or regulatory requirements.
Limitation of Liability
EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROHIBITED BY LOCAL LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL
UBIQUITI OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES OR SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR
DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES
(INCLUDING LOST PROFIT, LOST DATA, OR DOWNTIME COSTS), ARISING
OUT OF THE USE, INABILITY TO USE, OR THE RESULTS OF USE OF THE
PRODUCT, WHETHER BASED IN WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHER
LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES.

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