u-blox MAYA-W4 tri-radio IoT module features NXP IW610 chipset with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and 802.15.4 radios

Last year, we covered the u-blox MAYA-W3 module, which was based on the Infineon AIROC CYW5551x chipset and utilized separate chipsets for 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequencies. Now, u-blox has introduced the MAYA-W4 series, a host-based Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and 802.15.4 module built on the NXP IW610 chipset. Designed for industrial and commercial applications such as building automation, energy management, smart homes, and healthcare, the MAYA-W4 series supports SISO Wi-Fi 6 with a 20 MHz channel width, ensuring reliable performance in dense network environments. These modules can function as access points, stations, P2P devices, or in mixed modes.

The MAYA-W4 modules are compatible with the Matter protocol over Thread and Wi-Fi, facilitating seamless integration across ecosystems. With a compact size of 10.4 x 14.3 mm, these modules rank among the smallest Wi-Fi 6 SMD modules and are available with integrated antennas or U.FL connectors. Rigorous testing and verification ensure their reliability and long-term performance in demanding environments, making them suitable for a wide range of industrial and commercial uses.

We have not previously covered any module with the cost and power-optimized NXP IW610 chipset, though we have seen the iW611 and iW612 modules featured in the u-blox MAYA-W2 IoT module, with the iW610 supporting Bluetooth 5.4 and the iW612 supporting Bluetooth 5.2. Additionally, we have explored several Wi-Fi 6 modules in the past, including the Ezurio Sona NX611, Qualcomm QCC74xM, Quectel FG50X and AF50T, and Silicon Labs SiWG917Y and SiWN917Y, among others.

u-blox MAYA-W4 Wi-Fi 6 module specifications:

• Main chip – NXP IW610
  • Wi-Fi
    • Wi-Fi 6 (1×1 Dual Band 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz 802.11 a/b/g/n/ax)
    • IEEE 802.11d/e/i/k/r/v/w
    • 256 QAM, 20 MHz bandwidth, Peak Throughput: 114.7 Mbps
    • Wi-Fi Tx output power up to +23 dBm
    • Wi-Fi 6 Extended Range (ER), Dual Carrier Modulation (DCM), Target Wait Time (TWT)
    • Low-power Wi-Fi idle, standby, and sleep modes
    • Support for Matter over Wi-Fi
    • Single, dual antenna with diversity
  • Bluetooth
    • v5.4 LE long-range, power management, LE Audio
    • Switchable Bluetooth LE/802.15.4 operation
    • Integrated PA / LNA / Switch with up to +15 dBm TX output
    • High-speed 2 Mbps, long-range, advertising extensions
  • 802.15.4
    • 802.15.4 support for Matter over Thread
    • IEEE 802.15.4-2015 compliant MAC
•  Antenna
  • MAYA-W433 – 1 antenna pin
  • MAYA-W442 – 1 U.FL connector
  • MAYA-W463 – 1 antenna pin
  • MAYA-W471 – 2 antenna pins
  • MAYA-W476 – 1 antenna embedded in PCB
• Interfaces
  • Wi-Fi – SDIO 3.0 (4-bit, up to 208 MHz clock); USB 2.0
  • Bluetooth – 4-wire high-speed UART
  • 802.15.4 – SPI
  • Coexistence – WCI-2 (2-wire); OTA
  • GPIO
• Security
  • 128-bit AES hardware encryption
  • Secure boot with EdgeLock
  • WPA2 (CCMP, AES) and WPA3 support
• Power supply
  • RF power: 3.13 – 3.46 VDC
  • I/O power: 3.3 VDC or 1.8 VDC
• Dimensions – 10.4 × 14.3 × 1.9 mm (90-pin LGA package)
• Operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C
• Moisture sensitivity – Level 4
• RoHS and REACH compliance
• Certifications – Europe (RED), US (FCC), Canada (ISED), Japan (Giteki)

RF calibration and pre-assigned MAC addresses are stored in onboard OTP memory for a quick and reliable setup. For secure networking, the modules support WPA2 (CCMP, AES) and WPA3 protocols. They offer flexible Wi-Fi operational modes, including station, access point, Wi-Fi Direct, or any combination of these. Additionally, free Linux and Android drivers are provided to facilitate development and deployment.

The u-blox MAYA-W4 series includes five variants: MAYA-W433, MAYA-W442, MAYA-W463, MAYA-W471, and MAYA-W476 each with different antenna options. To support the development and evaluation of the MAYA-W4 module, u-blox offers the EVK-MAYA-W476 evaluation kit. This kit provides access to all interfaces and ships with microSD, SD, and M.2 adapters with associated cables, dual-band SMA dipole antennas (Linx Technologies ANT-DB1-RAF-SMA) for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a USB Type-C cable.

The company has yet to disclose the pricing for the modules or the evaluation kit. Additional details can be found on the product pages for the wireless module and evaluation kit, and in the official press release.

Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies, become a Patron on Patreon, or purchase goods on Amazon or Aliexpress