Taiwanese wireless equipment manufacturer, Alfa Networks, and US-based Wi-Fi HaLow semiconductor company, Newracom, have collaborated to develop the AHST7394S Wi-Fi HaLow module.
The solder-down module is based on Newracom’s NRC7394 SoC, a low-cost and high-efficiency HaLow SoC chipset providing up to 17dbm output power and capable of connecting to a maximum of 8K devices within a single network. The NRC7394 also supports a standalone mode, which enables the execution of a wide range of IoT applications on the embedded ARM Cortex-M3 CPU. While HaLow is more energy-efficient than other Wi-Fi types, low-power operation modes such as legacy, TWT, and WMM-PS can reduce power consumption further.
The AHST7394S Wi-Fi HaLow module supports a data rate of up to 15Mbps, over 600 times faster than LoRaWAN while maintaining a good range (over 1km). The second-generation HaLow module is perfect for building long-range, ultra-low-power networks in sub-1 GHz, license-exempt frequency bands. It is a compact module, measuring 20 x 17mm, and supports Wi-Fi HaLow for North America, Europe, and Asia.
It is ideal for various IoT applications such as weather stations, industrial monitoring, medical patient monitoring, agriculture, and surveillance cameras.
Alfa Networks has released other Wi-Fi HaLow products, namely the Halow-U USB adapter and the AHPI7292S Raspberry Pi HAT. Offerings from Newracom’s competitor, Morse Micro, include the MM6104 and MM6108 Wi-Fi HaLow SoCs.
Alfa Networks AHST7394S specifications:
- SoC – Newracom NRC7394
- Connectivity
- Standard – 802.11ah (HaLow)
- Frequency – 915 MHz (US), 868 MHz (EU), 924 MHz (JP)
- Data rate – Up to 15 Mbps (max. Phy rate)
- Channel bandwidth – 1/2/4 MHz
- Modulation – OFDM with BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM
- Antenna connector – IPEX/U.FL antenna connector
- Host Interface – SPI and UART support
- Operating Temperature – -20°C to 60°C
- Dimensions – 20 x 17 mm
- Form Factor – Solder-down module
The AHST7394S WiFi HaLow module comes in three different product variants, targeted at different regions: AHST7394S-915 (902 MHz – 928 MHz), AHST7394S-868 (863 MHz – 868 MHz), and AHST7394S-924 (920.5 – 927.5 MHz). The module’s product page is live on Alfa Networks’s website but there is no information about pricing and availability. However, you can request more information / ask for a quote via the Contact Us link.
Thanks to TLS for the tip.
Tomisin is a writer specializing in hardware product reviews, comparisons, and explainers. He is very passionate about small form factor and single-board computers.
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