Unfortunately, the limited bandwidth of the 2.4-GHz range means that just one 802.11n router using channel bonding will take up virtually the entire 2.4-GHz spectrum, leaving no room for neighboring routers, and causing severe interference.

Second, draft-n uses channel bonding: Instead of the 20-MHz-wide channels found in previous Wi-Fi standards, 802.11n can use 40-MHz-wide channels, which in theory should double their data-carrying capacity. Entry-level routers typically have two receiving and transmitting antennas midrange and high-end models have three of each. Intelligent antennas combine streams of data arriving at different times from multi?path signals bouncing off walls, floors, and ceilings. First, it uses MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) antenna technology to transmit more data at a time. The 802.11n variant of Wi-Fi achieves its high through?put (typically four times that of 802.11g) in two ways. (The 802.11n spec supports both frequencies.) Up to now, vendors have been focusing on the 2.4-GHz band in order to support the vast majority of legacy devices.ДЇor a point-by-point comparison of the six routers we examined, see our chart, вЂњ Wi-Fi Draft-2.0 802.11N Routers: Good, Better, and Best.вЂќ Deconstructing the Technology These top-of-the-line units target users preparing for an expected influx of networked multimedia devices that need uncluttered bandwidth to stream media. To give an idea of the options, we chose two widely available models in each of three categories: under-$90 routers for people who donвЂ™t need maximum performance, but who can nonetheless benefit from 802.11nвЂ™s improved range and speed midrange (about $150) models that offer top wireless speeds and gigabit ethernet and dual-band routers ($180 to $200) that support both the crowded 2.4-GHz frequency range (used by all of the less-Expensive models and their 802.11b/g predecessors) and the relatively open 5-GHz band, with support for legacy 802.11a gear. Upgrading your home router to 802.11n is thus one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve your network.Д«ut choosing a particular 802.11n router has become more complicated than ever because the standard covers a lot of ground that lets vendors issue a dizzying array of product options, with literally dozens of models ranging in price from $50 to $250. With link ratesвЂ“the nominal connection speeds, as opposed to real-world throughputвЂ“of up to 300 megabits per second (compared with 54 mbps for standard 802.11g) and extended range (thanks to multiple smart antennas), 802.11n Wi-Fi is the first Wi-Fi technology that can rival wired 100-mbps ethernet in performance. Although the standard is still technically in draft form and final ratification of 802.11n by the IEEE isnвЂ™t expected until next year, the Wi-Fi Alliance has been certifying draft-2.0 n routers for interoperability and compatibility since last year, and the final version should largely be a formality that at most may require a firmware upgrade.ДЄnd the Wi-Fi certified products are worthy updates. In our first roundup of draft-802.11n Wi-Fi routers (see вЂњ Wireless Routers: The Truth About Superfast Draft-NвЂњ), we found so many problems, we couldnвЂ™t recommend any of them: Firmware was buggy, interoperability between vendors was hit-and-miss, and performance was not as good as that of some enhanced, earlier-generation 802.11g routers.ДЄs of this year, weвЂ™re happy to report, those issues have largely gone away.

Illustration: Mick WigginsWhat a difference a couple of years makes.

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