Will a AC product connection downgrade the connected AX network ?

[emptyso]

If there is a 802.11ac product connects to a WIFI 6 network, will the performance of the WIFI 6 network forced to downgrade to WIFI 5 ?
Many thanks.

 

[thiggins]

No. A device and Access Point exchange information about each other's capabilities during the connection process. The AP can communicate using the appropriate standard on a frame-by-frame basis.

That said, "slower" devices use more airtime than "faster" ones. But an AX device near the limit of its range (with a low signal level) can end up using more airtime than an AC device with a strong signal.

Bandwidth sharing effects take place only when devices are active. Idle associated devices do not use up much airtime at all.