Wi-Fi 7 Multi-Link Operation (MLO) Simulator
A Wi-Fi 7 client can use 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz as one connection. Compare MLSR, eMLSR, MLMR-STR and MLMR-NSTR on busy channels and see what each one does to throughput and gaps.
How to use this tool controls and what to look for
Choose a client mode and how busy each band is, press Play, and compare throughput and gaps across the four modes.
Controls to change
- Client mode: choose MLSR, eMLSR, MLMR-STR or MLMR-NSTR.
- Traffic for our client: choose Downlink, Uplink, or Both (video call).
- Other traffic on each channel: choose Quiet, Typical office, 5 GHz busy or Everything busy.
- 5 GHz: other traffic wins: set how often other devices win each band. The same slider exists for 2.4 and 6 GHz.
- New random run: run the same settings again with different luck.
- Window start: move along the timeline, or click the overview to jump.
What to look for
- MLSR uses one band at a time. eMLSR listens on several and moves both radio chains to whichever link wins.
- When one band is busy, the multi-link modes keep the longest gap short, which is what helps latency.
- MLMR-STR sends on several bands at once. NSTR must start and end its links together, which wastes some airtime.
- Compare the side-by-side results: throughput and longest gap for each mode on the same channels.
About this tool
A Wi-Fi 7 access point and client can use 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz as one connection. How much that helps depends on what the client's radios can do. This simulator compares MLSR, eMLSR, MLMR-STR and MLMR-NSTR on the same busy channels, with a timeline of what each link is doing, what triggers a switch, and uplink as well as downlink.
What you'll learn
- What Multi-Link Operation is, and what a multi-link device is
- How single-radio modes (MLSR, eMLSR) switch between bands
- How multi-radio modes (STR and NSTR) use several bands at once
- Why NSTR links must start and end together, and what that costs
Common questions
What is MLO in Wi-Fi 7?
Multi-Link Operation: one connection between an access point and a client that can use several bands (2.4, 5 and 6 GHz), for more throughput, lower delay or better reliability.
What's the difference between eMLSR and STR?
An eMLSR client has one main radio and listens on several links, switching to whichever gets the channel first. An STR client has separate radios and can send and receive on several links at the same time.
Does a client need three radios to use three bands?
To transmit or receive on three bands at once (STR), yes. Single-radio modes use several bands, but only one at a time.
Free for private and educational use. This interactive model is a simplified teaching aid and may contain mistakes. It is provided as is, without warranty. Use it to understand the concepts, not as a substitute for a site survey, vendor documentation or professional design advice.