Because 160 MHz bandwidth uses eight 5 GHz channels--typically all that are available in the U.S.--the WRT3200ACM is certified to also use the DFS channels normally unavailable for use because they are also used for radar applications. This expands the number of available 5 GHz channels from 8 to 24, greatly enhancing channel selection flexibility.
Like Linksys' other WRT routers, the WRT3200ACM is Marvell based, using a three-stream (3x3) design for both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. Both radios support 256 QAM, giving the 2.4 GHz radio 600 Mbps maximum link rate in 40 MHz bandwidth mode. The 5 GHz radio's maximum link rate is 2600 Mbps when 160 MHz bandwidth mode is in use. This results in the product's "AC3200" designation, which unfortunately will be confused with "tri-band" AC3200 class products that have two 5 GHz radios.
The router also has a third radio that supports Bluetooth and 5 GHz receive. It is used to monitor 5 GHz, allowing faster reuse of DFS channels when radar is detected.
Other hardware details include a 1.8 GHz dual-core ARM CPU, 256 MB flash and 512 MB DDR3 RAM. Wired interfaces on the new router include a built-in four port Gigabit LAN switch, one Gigabit WAN connection, an eSATA/USB 2.0 port, and one USB 3.0 port.
Features include built-in media and FTP servers, OpenVPN support, media/bandwidth QoS prioritization, parental controls, built-in speed test and support for DDNS services such as No-IP, DynDNS and TZO.
The WRTAC3200ACM is also open source ready, supporting OpenWRT's "Chaos Calmer" 15.05 branch and also DD-WRT.
The Linksys WRT3200ACM lists for $279.99 and can be pre-ordered today at Linksys.com and Amazon, with general availability following next week.