WiFi
Technology is evolving constantly, with regular changes in specifications. Avnet Silica offers a full range of WiFi products, including chips, modules and devices, along with a full technology range from WiFi4 to WiFi6e. Some products are combinations of technologies such as WiFi with Bluetooth, but some new generations also combining with other radios like 802.15.4. based Thread and Zigbee. The newest products most commonly support dual frequency, with a few supporting only 2.4 GHz.
Even with the constant updates, transition is smooth as not all applications require the newest standards. Most products are host controlled devices but some also support embedded software stacks, which means that they can work as a stand-alone solution.
On our linecard, Chip supplier Dialog can offer very low power consumption, Microchip, the embedded solution, whilst NXP and onsemi cover the high-end roadmap. In addition to Chips, our portfolio includes solder down modules, as well as pluggable modules in Mini-PCIe and M.2 Formfactor. We also support Routers and Gateways to connect the local WiFi network to the infrastructure.
The following table will help guide you to the right solution quickly.
| WiFi Technology topic |
Chips | Modules | Embedded Modules |
SoC (WIs MCU) |
WiFi4 | WiFi 5 | WiFi 6 | WiFi 7 | WiFi / BT Combo | WiFi / Multi-Radio | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 6 GHz type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supplier | |||||||||||||
| AzureWave Technologies | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| H&D Wireless | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||
| Insight-SiP | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||
| MaxLinear | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| Microchip | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||
| Nordic Semiconductor | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||
| NXP | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Panasonic | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Quectel Wireless Solutions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Raytac | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||||
| Renesas | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| STMicroelectronics | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| u-blox | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
Ultimate connectivity, superior low power performance
Renesas wireless solutions deliver exceptional performance, energy efficiency, and reliable, secure connectivity, from ultra-low-power Bluetooth® Low Energy to advanced Wi-Fi and best-in-class NFC. Whether you're developing a connected home device, Point of Sale terminal, or long-life asset tracker, Renesas provides future-ready wireless built for longevity and scale.
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Next-Gen Wireless Connectivity
In the ever-evolving landscape of wireless connectivity, staying abreast of the latest advancements is crucial. We delve into the forefront of innovation, spotlighting three key pillars shaping the future of wireless communication: WiFi 6, Bluetooth, and the emergent standard, Matter.
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Bluetooth
Bluetooth is one of the most common wireless technologies in the market, propelled into the consumer world by the smartphone, as well as increased demand for fitness, health, and entertainment devices.
ISM 2.4GhZ and Sub-GHz
ISM radio bands are portions of the radio spectrum reserved internationally for industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) purposes. ISM Bands are license free and not available for Telecomm Applications, which are regulated.
ANTENNAS
Avnet Silica offers antennas from specialised suppliers, that focus solely on antenna design and production, such as Antenova and 2J Antenna, along with other suppliers that offer antennas as part of overall portfolio for wireless products, such as Quectel.
Cellular
Evolving from GSM to GPRS then to 3G (UMTS / WCDMA) we are now seeing global coverage with LTE / 4G, with next generation 5G leading the way in applications which require higher data transfer.
RFID / NFC
Radio Frequency Identification, is a technology that enables simple, secure and fast identification of things, persons and animals. It is mainly made for very short ranges, with one exception, the UHF based RFID called RAIN-RFID for mid range identification, used mainly in logistics.
ROUTER / GATEWAYS / MODEMS
Connecting short range wireless devices, or some wired devices to a wired or wireless infrastructure, requires bridging technologies, such as Modems, Gateways or Routers / Access Points.
LPWAN
In Europe, major networks have announced their intention not to support 3G networks across Europe beyond 2020. We offer LPWAN technology from our market-leading suppliers, available in a range of modules.
UWB / Ultrawide Band
Ultra-wideband is a radio technology that can use a very low energy level for short-range, high-bandwidth communications (approx. 500 MHz or 20% of the arithmetic center frequency) over a large portion of the radio spectrum. This co-existing with other radio standards is a major advantage.
GNSS
Today GNSS technology is not only used for military and cars, but for many types of vehicle, in applications such as container tracking, animal and people tracking and logistics.
DECT
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications, or DECT, was introduced to the market in 1992. It mainly uses the frequency bands 1880 to 1900 MHz, but due to the extension of the ETSI, also 2010-2025 MHz and 24-00 – 2480 MHz are specified.