Morse Micro MM8108 is a new WiFi HaLow (802.11ah) SoC with a throughput of up to 43.33 Mbps, and improved range and power efficiency compared to its predecessor the Morse Micro MM6108 introduced in 2022 and supporting up to 32.3 Mbps transfer rate.
The new chip is also smaller at just 5x5mm in a BGA package instead of 6x6mm in a QFN48 package for the MM6108/MM6104, adds a USB 2.0 host interface besides SDIO 2.0 and SPI, as well as a MIPI RFFE (Radio Frequency Front-End) for integration and interoperability with multi-radio systems.
Morse Micro MM8108 specifications:
- 32-bit RISC-V Host Applications Processor (HAP)
- Single-Chip IEEE802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow transceiver for low-power, long-reach IoT applications
- Worldwide Sub-1 GHz frequency bands (850MHz to 950MHz)
- On-chip 26 dBm power amplifier with support for external FEM (Front End Module) option
- 1/2/4/8 MHz channel bandwidth for up to 43.3 Mbps data rate using 256-QAM modulation at an 8 MHz bandwidth
- Range – No metrics mentioned, but the previous generation MM6108 at a range of up to 1 km
- Host interfaces – USB 2.0, SDIO 2.0, and SPI host interface Options
- Peripherals – GPIO, UART, I2C, PWM, MIPI RFFE interface
- Security – WPA3 with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) and GCMP encryption for link-layer protection
- Power Management – PMU supporting Ultra-Low-Power operation modes, multi-year battery life
- Power Consumption
- 325mA current draw from a 3.3V voltage source at 26dBm Tx power
- “Optimized for battery-operated applications” with “extended sleep times and ultra-low power consumption in sleep modes”
- Package – 5×5 mm BGA package
Morse Micro claims the improved power efficiency significantly extends battery life and enables the uptake of solar-powered Wi-Fi HaLow connected AI-enabled 4K cameras and IoT devices for the agricultural, mining, industrial, home, and city environment markets.
The new USB interface enables USB AP and STA dongle operation, and the company developed the MM8108-RD09 USB dongle reference design allowing users to upgrade new and existing Wi-Fi 4/5/6/6E/7 network infrastructure to support Wi-Fi HaLow. It will be offered as part of a complete evaluation kit called the MM8108-EKH19 with a Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, an SMA antenna, and a power supply.
Morse Micro says the MM8108 SoC, MM8108-RD09 USB dongle, and MM8108-EKH19 evaluation kit are already sampling, and interested companies can get samples through their Morse Micro representative. Maybe it will be more broadly available later on. A few more details may be found on the product page and in the press release.
Thanks to TLS for the tip.
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.
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