(Image: Silicon Labs)
By Irvind Ghai, vice president of Wi-Fi Solutions, Silicon Labs
From smart doorbells that alert you to new visitors to factory sensors that keep every machine in harmony, the reach and possibilities of the Internet of Things (IoT) are expanding. Wi-Fi plays a crucial role in fostering this connectivity and innovation. Market estimates indicate that Wi-Fi-enabled, low-power IoT applications will increase by up to one billion units annually, which accounts for approximately half of the total yearly IoT unit growth.
IoT device makers are racing to capture this growth but can face an array of obstacles: time-to-market pressures, complex RF design requirements, and resource consuming certification processes, to name a few. To accelerate innovation and extend the real-world benefits of the IoT, device makers need solutions that simplify development — and Wi-Fi modules do just that.
To aid those efforts, Silicon Labs has released the SiWx917Y Wireless Modules as part of the SiWx917 family. Through ultra-low power, high-performance Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 5.4 connectivity, these modules, equipped with an optimized antenna and RF certifications ready for several regions worldwide, provide device makers with an easier, faster, and more cost-effective path to launch Wi-Fi-enabled IoT products. Given these advantages, solution providers opt for RF optimized modules to enable leading edge Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing their R&D teams to differentiate on what sets their IoT application apart – hence avoiding commoditization in the market-place.
Reducing Complexity in a Competitive Wireless Market
The benefits of these Wi-Fi modules extend across diverse industries. In healthcare, for instance, hospital beds equipped with these modules can relay real-time occupancy data, facilitating efficient patient management. In the agricultural sector, Wi-Fi-enabled tracking devices can monitor livestock movement, enhancing security and optimizing herd management practices.
By leveraging pre-certified, modules, developers can bypass the complexities of RF design, antenna integration, and regulatory certification, freeing up valuable resources to focus on product differentiation and quality. The integrated antenna and pre-certification features of the SiWx917Y module empower manufacturers of all sizes and technical backgrounds to deploy connected devices readily. To easily navigate different worldwide regulations, the SiWx917Y Wireless Modules are certified for FCC (North America), CE (Europe), MIC (Japan), and several other regional standards.
A Choice of Configurations to Fit Every Need
As the number of IoT use cases expands and standards evolve, manufacturers need the flexibility to select the right configuration for their specific application requirements, optimizing for performance, power consumption, size, or any other tradeoff. A Wi-Fi-enabled video doorbell, for example, might prioritize high bandwidth for streaming video, while an industrial sensor might require low power consumption for extended battery life. To accommodate scenarios like this, modules like the SiWx917Y offer:
- Large and configurable memory: Manufacturers have a large memory capacity of SRAM, PSRAM, and Flash and they can choose between different PSRAM and Flash configurations to match their storage and processing needs and accommodate space for their own application, wireless stacks, Matter protocol, future firmware updates, and code growth.
- Operational modes: The SiWx917Y supports different operational modes — hostless SoC, and hosted NCP — providing manufacturers architectural flexibility. In the SoC operational mode (SiWG917Y), the same module can run the application software and wireless stacks, enabling highly efficient device designs. The NCP operational mode (SiWN917Y) would integrate with the manufacturer’s host microprocessor system providing only Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 5.4 wireless connectivity.
- Different antenna options: manufacturers can take full advantage of the module’s integrated, highly optimized antenna to save development time and RF engineering costs. However, the module also provides an RF-pin and antenna reference design, should the manufacturer opt out for an external antenna build. Silicon Labs’ RF regulatory pre-certifications apply in both scenarios, helping manufacturers accelerate product launch and reduce costs further.
The adaptability of these modules empowers device makers to tailor their wireless products more easily, avoiding the need for intricate customization.
Driving IoT Innovation with Accessible Wi-Fi Solutions
With RF-ready Wi-Fi modules’ comprehensive configuration options, pre-certified regulatory compliance, and integrated features that reduce design complexity, IoT device makers have more reason to celebrate. They can focus on bringing world-changing devices to market more efficiently.
Earlier this year, Silicon Labs brought together the leaders in IoT development to share expertise and guidance as part of the annual Silicon Labs Works With Developer Conference. You can now watch sessions, organized by technology track, on-demand for free on the Works With 2024 site. Sessions will remain available all year.
Read more about how Silicon Labs can partner with you in your development journey here.
The author, Irvind Ghai, is vice president of Wi-Fi Solutions at Silicon Labs
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