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Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

SNR Required for Each MCS

The SNR table below shows the Signal to Noise Ratio WiFi required for each MCS index as well as the modulation, coding and data rate per stream based on channel width in MHz. Note in the SNR WiFi table that each channel uses up to two streams.

Examples:

  • 2 x 80 MHz channels operating at MCS 8 with 4 streams would yield 1560 Mbps (390 Mbps * 4 streams).
  • 1 x 40 MHz channel operating at MCS 6 with 2 streams would yield 270 Mbps (135 Mbps * 2 streams).
Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) PHY Data Rate (Mbps/stream)
Index Modulation Coding Required SNR (dB) 20 MHz 40 MHz 80 MHz
0 BPSK 1/2 5 7.2 15 32.5
1 QPSK 1/2 7.5 14.4 30 65
2 QPSK 3/4 10 21.7 45 97.5
3 16-QAM 1/2 12.5 28.9 60 130
4 16-QAM 3/4 15 43.3 90 195
5 64-QAM 2/3 17.5 57.8 120 260
6 64-QAM 3/4 20 65 135 292.5
7 64-QAM 5/6 22.5 72.2 150 325
8 256-QAM 3/4 25 86.7 180 390
9 256-QAM 5/6 27.5 n/a 200 433