Qualcomm's WiFi 7 SoCs – IPQ5322 and IPQ5424-Empower Next-Generation Wireless

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As digital transformation and the Internet of Everything accelerate, Wi-Fi has evolved from a simple convenience to mission-critical infrastructure. Starting in 2024, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) enters commercial deployment, bringing groundbreaking features like ultra-high bandwidth, low latency, and Multi-Link Operation (MLO). These innovations unlock new possibilities in high-density, high-demand networking environments.
Qualcomm's IPQ5322 and IPQ5424 SoCs are purpose-built for this evolution, targeting mid-range and high-performance markets respectively. This article provides an in-depth look at their architecture, wireless capabilities, system performance, I/O design, software support, and real-world applications.

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1. Architecture: Built for Wi-Fi 7 from the Ground UpKey SpecsIPQ5322IPQ5424
Chipset SeriesQualcomm Networking Pro 620 SeriesQualcomm Networking Pro 820 Series
CPU ArchitectureDual-core ARM Cortex-A53 @ 1.0GHzQuad-core ARM Cortex-A73 @ 2.2GHz
Process Node14nm6nm FinFET
SoC TypeWi-Fi 7 Dual-Band Embedded SoCWi-Fi 7 Tri-Band High-Performance SoC

• IPQ5322: Designed for dual-band Wi-Fi 7 routers or cost-sensitive mesh devices, focusing on energy efficiency and simplicity.
• IPQ5424: A premium-tier SoC in the Qualcomm Pro 820 series, featuring a 6nm process and powerful CPU cores for advanced applications like enterprise APs, 5G backhaul nodes, and high-performance mesh routers.
  

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2. Wireless Capabilities: Full Wi-Fi 7 Feature Set✅ Wi-Fi 7 Feature SupportFeatureIPQ5322IPQ5424
Multi-Link Operation (MLO)✅✅
320MHz Channel Width✅ (5GHz only)✅ (6GHz supported)
4096-QAM Modulation✅✅
Preamble Puncturing✅✅
MU-MIMO & OFDMA✅✅📡 RF Configuration

• IPQ5322: Integrated 2x2@2.4GHz + 2x2@5GHz radios, no external RF needed—ideal for simplified hardware BOM.
• IPQ5424: Supports 4x4@2.4GHz + 4x4@5GHz + 4x4@6GHz via external radios like QCN9274 or QCN6274, delivering up to 18Gbps peak PHY rate—perfect for high-density, tri-band applications.
  

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3. Processing Power & Interfaces: Designed for Performance💻 CPU and Network Acceleration

• IPQ5322: Dual-core CPU is sufficient for NAT, firewall, QoS, and smart home gateway use.
• IPQ5424: High-performance design enables advanced packet processing, DPI, SD-WAN, and integration with edge AI.
  

🔌 I/O and ExpansionInterface TypeIPQ5322IPQ5424
Ethernet1 x 2.5G MAC + RGMII1 x 10G SFP + multiple RGMII/SGMII
PCIePCIe 3.0 x1PCIe 4.0 x2 (for external RF or SSD)
USBUSB 3.0USB 3.1 (Type-C supported)
Storage InterfaceeMMC / NAND / NOR FlasheMMC / NAND / NVMe
Memory SupportDDR4DDR4 / DDR5

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4. Software Ecosystem: Ready for OpenWRT and OpenWiFi

• IPQ5322 is already supported in several OpenWRT branches and is ideal for open-source routers, IoT gateways, and SMB APs.
• IPQ5424 is being actively integrated into the OpenWiFi ecosystem, with strong support from ODMs like Wallys, Edgecore, and Hawkeye. It runs on Qualcomm’s SDK 7.x and supports SDN/NFV-based cloud management architectures.
  

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5. Deployment ScenariosApplication ScenarioIPQ5322IPQ5424
Smart Home Gateway✅ Entry-level Wi-Fi 7 CPE✅ Central mesh router
SMB Access Point✅ Dual-band AP at low cost✅ Tri-band high-density AP
Education/Healthcare⚠️ Limited to small clinics/campuses✅ Seamless roaming + QoS optimized APs
Industrial/Mining Wi-Fi❌ Not suitable✅ Outdoor mesh node with 10G uplink
Metro Wireless Hotspot❌✅ 18Gbps Wi-Fi 7 access point with backhaul

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6. Featured Products Based on IPQ5322 / IPQ5424IPQ5322-based devices:

• Wallys DR531
• AsiaRF AW7916-NPD
• GL.iNet Wi-Fi 7 entry-level routers (in development)
  

IPQ5424-based devices:

• Wallys DR54X9 (tri-band design)
• Edgecore EAP107 series enterprise APs
• Carrier-grade 5G backhaul CPEs (with QCN9274 RF module)
  

Many manufacturers have recognized IPQ5424 as the go-to tri-band Wi-Fi 7 platform, especially for markets prioritizing 6GHz support such as North America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

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7. Conclusion: A Flexible SoC Duo for All Wi-Fi 7 NeedsQualcomm’s dual-chip strategy with the IPQ5322 and IPQ5424 enables developers and OEMs to address both cost-sensitive and performance-critical Wi-Fi 7 markets:

• IPQ5322 targets entry-level and mid-range dual-band deployments with integrated radios.
• IPQ5424 offers unmatched flexibility and speed for tri-band, enterprise-class, or industrial-grade networks.
  

The key to selecting between these SoCs lies in the deployment scenario: does the project require tri-band operation, 6GHz capability, ultra-high bandwidth, or multi-node mesh support? Understanding those real-world requirements is the foundation for choosing the optimal Wi-Fi 7 chipset.