en.Wedoany.com Reported - u-blox has launched two new Wi-Fi 6 module series, designed to provide integrated wireless connectivity solutions for industrial and IoT device manufacturers, reducing the complexity of RF design. According to Gartner's 2024 forecast, the number of IoT endpoints in enterprise and automotive sectors will reach approximately 3.9 billion units by 2025. This high-density deployment trend is driving demand for module-level integration to simplify RF design processes while maintaining wireless performance.

The MAYA-W5 series is primarily aimed at developers relying on external processors, offering host-based Wi-Fi 6 connectivity via the SDIO interface and Bluetooth LE 5.4 functionality via UART. Measuring 10.3 mm × 14.3 mm × 1.9 mm, the module integrates Texas Instruments' CC3351 chipset and features an integrated PCB antenna, supporting space-constrained board designs.

The NORA-W5 series, on the other hand, integrates an Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller and can operate as a standalone wireless platform, allowing developers to consolidate system architecture without requiring a separate host processor. Based on Texas Instruments' CC3501 and CC3551 devices, this series supports single-band or dual-band Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE 5.4, embedded flash memory, and multiple antenna configurations.

Both module series operate within a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C, making them suitable for environments such as factory floors and outdoor control cabinets. They maintain pin compatibility with previous NORA modules, facilitating generational upgrades with minimal hardware redesign.

By handling RF design, antenna tuning, protocol integration, and wireless certification within the module, development and certification cycles are shortened. The NORA-W5 series extends functionality through embedded interfaces, including UART, SPI, I2C, I2S, CAN, SDIO, GPIO, and ADC, supporting complex multi-functional systems.

Built-in security features for each module include Arm TrustZone-M, secure boot, secure firmware updates, secure FOTA, TLS encryption, and WPA3. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) notes that modern industrial IoT deployments increasingly combine Wi-Fi 6 with security frameworks based on WPA3 and TLS to meet the resilience requirements of cyber-physical systems.

In the market, suppliers such as Silicon Labs, Murata, and Quectel also offer industrial Wi-Fi 6 modules, competing in energy efficiency and RF performance. The Wi-Fi Alliance expects that Wi-Fi 6 and 6E will account for over 50% of all Wi-Fi shipments by the middle of this decade. According to IDC (International Data Corporation), global IoT spending is projected to reach approximately $1.1 trillion by 2028.

The IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard leverages OFDMA and enhanced MU-MIMO technology in dense deployments, enabling up to a 4x improvement in average per-user throughput. This capacity enhancement targets scenarios in industrial facilities where numerous devices frequently transmit data packets simultaneously.

The modules support the Matter protocol and Wi-Fi 6 Target Wake Time functionality, reducing power consumption for devices that transmit data intermittently. In locations where battery-powered condition monitors or sensors coexist with active devices, these protocols establish a consistent wireless ecosystem for smart buildings and low-power industrial equipment.

Some NORA-W5 variants support the U-ConnectXpress feature, allowing developers to configure wireless behavior through simple AT commands, providing a direct path for rapid prototyping and streamlined firmware development without the need for custom embedded software.

The hardware is designed and manufactured in Europe, offering an alternative for customers who prioritize localized supply chains to address component supply fluctuations and regulatory conditions.

Module-level integration is increasingly oriented toward hybrid environments that converge sensors, automation equipment, and building systems. With this product launch, u-blox provides hardware teams with more networking options for building next-generation wireless industrial and IoT devices.