MAXtream

The breakthrough TDMA technology making
outdoor AP smoother and more efficient

Why do I need MAXtream?

It significantly reduces
drops in throughput

In normal indoor environment, an STA transmitting in CSMA/CA mode will check if another STA is communicating with the AP and will not
send data to the AP until the channel is free. However, in outdoor environments, where the distance between STAs is much greater, an STA may
not be able to determine whether another STA is communicating with the AP and more than one STA may try to transmit data to the AP at the
same time. This leads to a problem called hidden-node collision, which dramatically decreases the total throughput (the rate of successful data
delivery) of the AP as STAs become more numerous. MAXtream eliminates hidden-node collisions and helps keep throughput consistently high.

  • 100%
  • 80%
  • 60%
  • 40%
  • 20%
  • 0%
  • 5  
  • 10
  • 15
  • 20
  • 25

Total Throughput

MAXtream TDMA Mode

802.11 CSMA Mode

Quantity of STAs

* Notice: Actual throughput depends on the environmental factors such as distances, obstacles,wireless interference,weather,and etc.

What is MAXtream?

It is a method for
transforming
disorder into order

Think of the data that an STA is trying to transmit to an outdoor AP as a car. Only one of these metaphorical cars can use the road at a time. If the drivers of these cars cannot see each other and try to get on the road at the same time, many collisions will occur. This is similar to the hidden-node collisions that occur between the outdoor AP and its STAs. More cars create more collisions and it will take more time to let every car pass through.

Similarly, as more STAs attempt to communicate with the AP, more hidden-node collisions will occur and total throughput will decrease dramatically. However, if cars were to get on the road one by one, collisions would be avoided and traffic would move faster. MAXtream is a technology that creates order where none existed before, thereby supporting faster connections and greater efficiency.

How does MAXtream work?

MAXtream
mode produces
more efficient
communications

MAXtream is based on TDMA protocols, which stands for
Time Division Multiple Access. When MAXtream mode is
activated, STAs will take turns transmitting data to the AP
in pre-designated timeslots. This eliminates the time waste
causing by hidden-node collision.

  • STA1Factory
  • STA2Hotspot
  • STA3Office
  • STA4Residence

AP

* The AP allocates transmission
   opportunities for each STA

What are the benefits of MAXtream?

Retain more than
90% of maximum
throughput

MAXtream TDMA technology can counteract STA competition and ensure throughput remain above 90% of ideal condition, even as demand increases, so the total speed of the network can be guaranteed.

QoS promotes
smoother video and
voice transmissions

QoS (Quality of Service) based on MAXtream gives video and voice streams higher priority, which promotes smoother performance for video and voice services, such as IPTV streaming and VOIP calls.

What does TP-LINK offer with MAXtream*

  • WBS510/WBS210

    5GHz/2.4GHz 300Mbps
    Outdoor Wireless Base Station

  • CPE520/CPE220

    5GHz/2.4GHz 300Mbps
    16dBi/12dBi Outdoor CPE

  • CPE510/CPE210

    5GHz/2.4GHz 300Mbps
    13dBi/9dBi Outdoor CPE

* Pharos MAXtream is a proprietary Wi-Fi protocol that is only compatible with TP-LINK’s Pharos series products.
Detail information & configuration please refer to support page.