NORA-W3 compact modules offer dual-band Wi-Fi and BLE

Author: EIS Release Date: Nov 16, 2022

u-blox has announced the NORA-W3 module series, which will extend its Wi-Fi stand-alone module range.

 

NORA-W3 compact modules offer dual-band Wi-Fi and BLE

 

In a compact form factor (14.3 mm x 10.4 mm x 1.9 mm) with dual-band Wi-Fi 4 capability, the series will be aimed at space-constrained designs for healthcare, HVAC, EV charging and industrial sensing or monitoring applications.

 

The modules will have two variants: NORA-W36 (pictured, with the u-connectXpress software to simplify integration into an end-product) and NORA-W30 (allowing customers to run their own applications on the modules).

 

Specifically, NORA-W3 modules will support dual band Wi-Fi 4 (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n) and Bluetooth LE 5 based upon a Realtek Ameba chipset. They will also integrate two MCUs: an Arm Cortex-M33 compatible, 200 MHz as the main MCU, and an Arm Cortex-M23 compatible, 20 MHz for low power operation.

 

Security features include secure boot, encryption, trusted execution environment, authentication and storage that protects sensitive data.

 

The product is currently being sampled to lead customers and partners, the company told Electronics Weekly. Broader sample availability is expected in Q1 and full production in Q2, 2023.

 

The Swiss company writes:

 

“By offering dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, the u-blox NORA-W3 modules ensure a robust Wi-Fi connection in the field, partly due to the ability to operate in the less congested 5 GHz band while the Bluetooth LE capability ensures ease of use and installation. The inclusion of u‑connectXpress significantly reduces software effort by removing the need for competence in embedded Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE, thereby allowing solutions to be delivered to the market more rapidly.”