Versatile Wi-Fi 6 module for the mass market

u-blox now offers its new NORA-W4 module. With its comprehensive range of wireless technologies (Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE 5.3, Thread, and Zigbee), compact form factor (10.4mm x 14.3mm x 1.9mm), and affordability, it is ideal for IoT applications such as smart home, asset tracking, healthcare, and industrial automation.

The device is a single-band tri-radio Wi-Fi 6 module built on the Espressif ESP32-C6 SoC. It allows battery-powered IoT nodes to operate directly over Wi-Fi. This simplifies implementation and lowers system-level costs by limiting the necessity for a Bluetooth gateway, making it an ideal match for applications like wireless battery-operated sensors.

The module employs Wi-Fi 6 technology optimised for IoT, greatly reducing network congestion in environments such as factories, workplaces, or warehouses, improving throughput and lowering latency. Fully backwards compatible with Wi-Fi 4, the module can also be employed in cases where the Wi-Fi infrastructure has not been upgraded.

The module supports Matter protocol, Thread, and Zigbee technologies designed for new applications in the smart home environment. Consequently, it enables interoperability with other Matter smart home devices.

The module’s small form allows designers to adapt to device size constraints. Its compatibility with other u-blox NORA modules is key to effortless technology migration, such as transitioning from Wi-Fi 4 to Wi-Fi 6. Also, the module is packed with improved security features, including secure boot, trusted execution environment, and flash encryption, to name a few.

The module is available in six different variants: open CPU or u-connectXpress, antenna pin or PCB antenna, and with either 4MB or 8MB flash memory.