Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5 combo module caters to industrial IoT

Wireless technologies provider Laird Connectivity has announced a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.1 module that it says is purpose-built for industrial Internet of Things connectivity through a secure, reliable, and robust feature set. [via]

Powered by the Cypress Semiconductor CYW4373E wireless solution, the Sterling-LWB5+ was intentionally designed for industrial IoT applications where performance, size, cost, and ruggedness are required to deliver reliable wireless connectivity. Careful design considerations were made, says the company, to ensure the Sterling-LWB5+ is painless when integrating into host platforms.

“Our customers span multiple industries that have a diverse set of requirements and a common need we identified was the creation of a true industrial IoT module,” says Jay White, product manager for Laird Connectivity’s Wi-Fi solutions. “We took direct customer feedback and together with Cypress, made purposeful design considerations to ensure that our module caters to industrial IoT devices, is fully certified, and simplifies our customers’ BOM; reducing certification costs and improving time-to-market.”

The Sterling-LWB5+ feature-set includes 802.11ac Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth, an industrial temperature specification, and a solder-down module form factor that is suitable for industrial devices where vibration and impacts are common. With an integrated PA (power amplifier) and LNA (low noise amplifier) and antenna diversity, says the company, the module ensures reliable connectivity in harsh RF environments.

A Linux Backports package ensures compatibility for a broad range of Linux kernels. The Sterling-LWB5+ is offered as ideal for harsh industrial IoT application areas including rugged handheld devices, industrial IoT connectivity, industrial IoT sensors, and battery powered medical devices.

The module supports the latest WPA3 security standards and will be globally certified to reduce customers’ barrier to entry. Pending certifications include FCC, IC, CE, Giteki, and RCM.

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