u-blox has released MAYA-W2, a compact tri-radio module capable of supporting Wi-Fi 6, low energy Bluetooth 5.2, and the IEEE 802.15.4 (Thread and Zigbee). The module supports both Bluetooth classic and Bluetooth LE along with Bluetooth LE audio. The module is available in four variants with three antenna options, including antenna pins, U.FL connectors, or a PCB antenna, the tri-radio module can easily be designed into any type of IoT device.
According to the company, the module brings Wi-Fi 6 technology to industrial and consumer mass-market applications such as in smart building & energy management, healthcare, industrial automation, smart home, and many other applications. MAYA-W2 comes with an advanced set of connectivity features that include the Thread which paves the way for low power, IP-based mesh networks commonly used in home automation. It also features Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax which provides better network efficiency even in congested areas. Furthermore, it provides lower latency and improved range over previous-generation Wi-Fi standards. Additionally, the dual-mode Bluetooth module supports both Bluetooth classic and Bluetooth LE, including Bluetooth LE audio. The new audio functionalities allow devices to simultaneously receive multiple audio streams, concurrently transmit several distinct audio streams, and broadcast audio streams to multiple users.
The company claims that it can enable fast-track product development, since all required Linux, Android, and FreeRTOS software drivers are available as open source. The designing process is simplified by software integration and testing. Moreover, the FreeRTOS software drivers are pre-integrated into the MCUXpresso software development kit (SDK), while the Android and Linux software drivers are pre-integrated into the board support packages (BSPs) for NXP’s i.MX application processors. It also offers a seamless migration path to upgrade Wi-Fi 4 devices to Wi-Fi 6 technology.
MAYA-W2 can work in a wide temperature range of -40 °C to 85 °C. The module comes in four variants with three different antenna options, which include antenna pins, U.FL connectors, or a PCB antenna, the tri-radio module can easily be designed into any type of IoT device.
“NXP’s recently announced IW612 is the industry’s first tri-radio device for enabling seamless, secure connectivity for smart home and industrial use cases, and is ideally suited for addressing different ecosystems including the new Matter protocol. As an NXP Gold Partner, u-Blox is one of the first companies to leverage this innovative solution for their new MAYA-W2 module – which will help expedite the development of high-performance, commercial end-products that require robust, secure, and reliable connectivity,” says Tom Eichenberg, Sr. Director of Marketing – Connectivity, at NXP® Semiconductors.
MAYA-W2 is an industrial-grade Wi-Fi module that offers advanced Wi-Fi 6 technology for a broad range of IoT applications. It can be used in solar inverters, EV charging infrastructure, as well as wireless hubs and gateways used in healthcare, etc. Additionally, the introduction of Bluetooth LE audio paves the way for further use cases such as hearing aids that leverage its new audio streaming capabilities.
Samples of the modules will be made available from June 2022.
