WiFi HaLow IoT gateway is based on Morse Micro MM6108 802.11ah chip

Most WiFi HaLow hardware platforms we’ve seen so far are based on Newracom chips, but AsiaRF AP7688-WHM WiFi HaLow IoT gateway features a module based on Morse Micro MM6108 802.11ah SoC instead.

The gateway is powered by a 580 MHz MediaTek MT7688 MIPS processor providing 802.11n WiFi 4 and dual Ethernet networking, and features a USB port as well as an RS232 console for industrial control. WiFi HaLow (802.11ah) enables video and data transmission at a range of up to one kilometer and data rates of up to 32.5 Mbps.

AP7688-WHM WiFi HaLow gateway specifications:

SoC – Mediatek MT7688 MIPS SoC @ 580 MHz with built-in WiFi 4
System Memory – TBD
Storage – TBD
Connectivity
- 2x Ethernet RJ45 ports
- 2.4 GHz WiFi 4 1T1R up to 150 Mbps; PCB antenna
- 850 to 950 MHz WiFi HaLow 1T1R up to 32.5Mbps @ 8 MHz bandwidth via Morse Micro MM6108 chip; external dipole antenna
- Optional Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, and Matter support
USB – 1x USB Type-A port
Serial – RS232 via terminal block
Security – 64/128-bits WEP, TKIP, WPA, WPA2, AES, WPS
Misc – Reset button
Power Supply – 12V/1A via DC power barrel jack
Dimensions – 115 x 90 x 35 mm
Certifications – FCC/CE

The gateway is based on the AsiaRF MM610X-001 WiFi HaLow module based on the Morse Micro MM6108 and mesuring just 22 x 17mm. WiFi HaLow supports access point, station, and bridge modes. The company does not list the operating system, but there should be a Linux distribution, most probably OpenWrt, running on the MIPS processor.

The data rate of WiFi HaLow will depend on the range, and the further away you go the lower the bandwidth and/or link rate. Four bandwidths are available each with several link rates to choose from:

1MHz BW – 0.16, 0.33, 0.66, 1, 1.33, 2, 2.66, 3, 3.33Mbps
2MHz BW – 0.72, 1.44, 2.16, 2.88, 4.33, 5.77, 6.5, 7.22Mbps
4MHz BW – 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 9, 12, 13.5, 15Mbps
8MHz BW – 3.25, 6.5, 9.75, 13, 19.5, 26, 29.25, 32.5Mbps

So the actual link rate will vary from 0.16 Mbps to 32.5 Mbps.

AsiaRF sells the AP7688-WHM WiFi HaLow IoT gateway for $99 and the MM610X-001 module for $17.85.

Thanks to David for the tip.

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.