Multiradio module released for combo applications

16th March 2021

u-blox

Alex Lynn

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u-blox has announced the professional-grade u-blox MAYA-W1 WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5 multiradio module. Based on NXP’s IW416 chip, the module is tailored to a wide range of fast-growing, future-oriented professional applications, such as power management, electric vehicle charging, professional appliances, tracking, telematics, and fleet management.

Robust, flexible, and reliable, MAYA-W1 offers product designers short range connectivity that is both cost-effective and simple to implement.

Qualified for operation up to 85°C and fitting on a 10x14mm footprint, the professional-grade MAYA-W1 is ideal for size-constrained applications that operate in harsh industrial environments. The module serves professional and consumer market segments, including energy management, e.g., solar power converters and electric vehicle charging stations.

It also delivers connectivity for professional appliances such as connected ovens and laundromats, and for industrial applications, enabling industrial automation, predictive maintenance, industrial gateways, and human-machine interfaces. Other application areas include connected healthcare, smart homes, and retail.

With more and more connected devices competing for WiFi spectrum in the 2.4 GHz band, robust performance in congested environments has become an important differentiator. Featuring WiFi 4 (802.11a/b/g/n) dual-band 1x1 SISO, MAYA-W1 can select WiFi channels from the entire 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi spectrum, reliably connecting end devices and access points even when the bandwidth is scarce.

Increasing design flexibility was front and center in the development of the MAYA-W1 module. In addition to offering WiFi 4 and dual-mode Bluetooth (Bluetooth low energy, and Bluetooth classic) in a single hardware component. Pre-integration of the module’s firmware and driver in NXP’s MCUXpresso development environment simplifies product development.

“WiFi 4 continues to be the most used technology in our target segments, but there is concern over congestion of the 2.4GHz band. With its dual-band capability, MAYA-W1 addresses these concerns head-on, strongly positioning it in the broad IoT segment,” said Stefan Berggren, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Product Center Short Range Radio at u-blox.

“We are excited to see u-blox build their MAYA-W1 module around the NXP IW416 dual-band WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5 chipset and our i.MX RT series of MCUs. We see great potential for this combination of technologies for many existing industrial and consumer applications,” added Tom Eichenberg, Director of Product Marketing at NXP.

Samples of the module and EVKs will be available by April 2021.