Quectel Targets the Internet of Things, Industrial Networks with New Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Modules

Embedded communications specialist Quectel has announced five new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radio modules, ranging from high-performance Wi-Fi 6 parts to cost-and-area-optimized Wi-Fi 4 versions.

"We're aiming to redefine the landscape of short-range communication technology with this range of five different modules," claims Quectel president and chief sales officer Norbert Muhrer of the company's latest launch. "From lightning-fast Wi-Fi to robust Bluetooth connectivity, our latest innovations promise unparalleled performance, reliability, and versatility. With compact designs tailored to meet the demands of size-sensitive applications, these modules empower IoT [Internet of Things] solutions worldwide to reach new heights of connectivity and efficiency."

The new model range is topped by the FCS866R and FCE863R — the former offering a SecureDigital Input/Output (SDIO) 3.0 interface, the latter a PCI Express Gen. 1.1 interface — with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 radios. Available in an LCC package as a castellated module for surface mounting, the parts offer a maximum data rate of 1,201Mb/s through a two-transmit two-receive (2T2R) multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) configuration and an industrial-grade operating temperature range of -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F).

The FGS061N is another Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 module, again featuring an SDIO 3.0 interface — though this time packaged as a LGA chip. Its data rate, however, is half that of the FCS866R/FCE863R, at 600.4Mb/s, though it benefits from a wider operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C (-40°F to 185°F). The FC906A drops down to Wi-Fi 5, while retaining Bluetooth 5.2, with a maximum data rate of 433.3Mb/s, while the entry point of the new family is the FCS945R with Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5.2, a maximum data rate of 150Mb/s, and a Secure Digital 2.0 interface, but the narrowest operating temperature range of 0°C to 70°C (32°F to 158°F).

The modules are due to appear in the channel in the near future, Quectel has confirmed, with pricing starting at $3.96 per unit for the FCS945R in 4,000-unit tray quantities. More information is available on the Quectel website.