MediaFlex Adapter
The Ruckus MediaFlex adapter is the first Wi-Fi adapter with integrated smart-MIMO antenna technology developed to reliably receive IP-based multimedia content throughout the home.
One of the most sensitive Wi-Fi receivers on the market, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter is ideal for providing reliable Wi-Fi connectivity to Ethernet-equipped media devices such as settop boxes, personal video recorders, media centers and media center extenders. Compatible with standard 802.11b/g access points (AP) that support WDS 4-address format bridging, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter 802.11b/g adapter provides unprecedented range and reliability, effectively eliminating Wi-Fi dead spots and hard-to-reach locations.
When used (but not required) with the Ruckus MediaFlex multimedia AP/router, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter constantly tunes the signal path to enable the most stable and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity possible. This maximizes range and assures uninterrupted bandwidth for whole-home multimedia transmissions.
Service providers can deploy the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter in subscribers’ homes to deliver broadcast quality, IP-based video applications, such as IPTV and IPVoD (Video on Demand), without truck rolls for wiring installations.
Introducing the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter
The Ruckus MediaFlex adapter is the first smart-MIMO wireless Ethernet adapter that provides video-grade, 802.11b/g connectivity to any Ethernet-equipped media appliance such as a video server, video receiver, cable set top box, personal video recorder, media center, or a media center extender. Unlike any other Wi-Fi adapter on the market, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter automatically avoids Wi-Fi interference and mitigates multipath fading by selecting the best signal path to the wireless AP.
One the most sensitive Wi-Fi receivers available, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter is ideal for use with the Ruckus MediaFlex router to ensure the most consistent and reliable signal quality. Together, they enable broadcast quality, wireless IPTV distribution despite the existence of physical obstructions. Simple to provision, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter allows IP-capable set-top boxes to be located anywhere in the home without wiring concerns.
Both the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter and MediaFlex router integrate patent-pending BeamFlex smart antenna technology that constantly adapts to the changing RF environment and automatically adjusts the antenna pattern to steer signals to the optimum path. This provides the strongest protection against degrading RF conditions.
BeamFlex Increases Range/Performance
BeamFlex is the first-of-it’s kind smart antenna technology that works with off-the-shelf 802.11 silicon to deliver the most cost-effective MIMO benefits to 802.11a/b/g devices today.
Each Ruckus MediaFlex adapter integrates Ruckus BeamFlex technology - a compact, internal antenna array with six high-gain, directional antenna elements capable of combining to form 63 unique antenna patterns for massive diversity. BeamFlex expert system control software continuously ranks the antenna patterns for each destination device using the feedback mechanism built into the 802.11 MAC layer protocol. Cognizant of the real time RF conditions, the direction and performance of the communicating devices, network capacity and application types, BeamFlex steers each packet to the optimum signal path, enabling a Wi-Fi device to sustain high transmission speeds while minimizing retransmissions.
Integrated with the 802.11 software driver, the BeamFlex control software provides automatic antenna reconfiguration, data rate and transmission management. It consumes minimal incremental processing cycles and memory footprint.
Flexible Deployment Options
Deployed with the Ruckus MediaFlex router, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter enables the highest possible performance and best quality user experience. The MediaFlex adapter can also be deployed without the MediaFlex router on the client-side to mitigate interference and maximize signal quality.
Multiple client devices can be supported by a single MediaFlex adapter. The Ruckus MediaFlex adapter can be attached to a switch or hub, providing reliable and simultaneous connectivity to multiple devices.
Automatic Interference Avoidance
Unlike conventional wireless devices, BeamFlex in the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter automatically mitigates interference caused by multipath fading, neighbor networks and other wireless devices.
A sophisticated interference avoidance algorithm enables the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter to detect the direction of interference from, for example, a neighboring network, a microwave oven or a nearby blue tooth device. In response, the Ruckus MediaFlex adapter is able to select antenna patterns that direct energy away from the direction of interference; thereby attenuating noise.