IPQ4019 and IPQ5018 Mesh Networking Solutions,What's the difference？

 Comprehensive Analysis of IPQ4019 and IPQ5018 Mesh Networking Solutions

Mesh networking has become a core function in enterprise routers, home gateways, and IoT devices. Qualcomm’s IPQ4019 (WiFi 5 SoC) and IPQ5018 (WiFi 6 SoC) are two widely adopted network processors in the market. This article provides a comprehensive comparison of their capabilities in supporting Mesh networking, covering architecture, software support, performance, application scenarios, and selection recommendations.

1. Chip Architecture Comparison IPQ4019

• Process / Architecture: 28nm, quad-core ARM Cortex-A7 (up to 717MHz).

• WiFi Support: Integrated 2x2 2.4GHz + 2x2 5GHz dual-band concurrency.

• Standards: Supports 802.11ac Wave2, MU-MIMO.

• I/O Interfaces: PCIe 2.0, USB 3.0, RGMII.

• Positioning: Mid-to-low-end enterprise APs, home routers, and industrial deployments.

IPQ5018

• Process / Architecture: 14nm, dual-core ARM Cortex-A53 (up to 1.0GHz).

• WiFi Support: Native WiFi 6 support (2x2 2.4GHz + 2x2 5GHz), expandable with QCN6102/QCN6122 for 5G/6G.

• Standards: 802.11ax with OFDMA, BSS Coloring, TWT power saving.

• I/O Interfaces: PCIe 3.0, USB 3.0, RGMII.

• Positioning: Mid-to-high-end WiFi 6 routers, indoor/outdoor APs, and IoT/industrial gateways.

2. Mesh Networking Capabilities IPQ4019 Mesh

• Software Support: Compatible with OpenWrt, Qualcomm SON (Self-Organizing Network), and OpenWiFi. Supports B.A.T.M.A.N and 802.11s Mesh protocols.

• Performance:

  • Dual-band 2x2 design, Mesh backhaul mainly relies on 5GHz.

  • Limited throughput (802.11ac 867Mbps), performance drops with multiple hops.

  • Cortex-A7 CPU may bottleneck under large-scale Mesh deployments.

• Use Cases: Small businesses, home Mesh networks, or industrial IoT with low bandwidth needs.

IPQ5018 Mesh

• Software Support: Also supports OpenWrt, OpenWiFi, and WiFi 6 Mesh standards (EasyMesh, 802.11s).

• Performance:

  • WiFi 6 features such as OFDMA and BSS Coloring improve concurrency and interference management.

  • Supports 160MHz channels, enabling higher Mesh backhaul capacity.

  • Higher CPU performance and PCIe 3.0 expandability allow external radios (QCN6102/6122) for tri-band Mesh (2.4G + 5G + 6G).

• Use Cases: Medium-to-large enterprises, campus networks, outdoor coverage, and latency-sensitive industrial applications (e.g., smart factories, mining, surveillance).

3. Pros and Cons Comparison 4. Future Outlook and Selection Advice

1. IPQ4019

   • Advantages: mature, stable ecosystem, and cost-effective.

   • Best for small-scale Mesh deployments with limited bandwidth and performance needs.

2. IPQ5018

   • Advantages: advanced WiFi 6 features ensure long-term competitiveness.

   • Best for high-bandwidth, low-latency, and large-scale Mesh applications in enterprise or industrial settings.

5. Conclusion

• IPQ4019: A classic WiFi 5 Mesh solution, suitable for cost-sensitive deployments with moderate requirements.

• IPQ5018: A future-ready WiFi 6 Mesh solution, delivering stronger performance, scalability, and tri-band capability.

Recommendation:

• Choose IPQ4019 for lightweight Mesh networks.

• Choose IPQ5018 for high-performance Mesh or when planning tri-band extensions.