Along with the rapid development of the Internet of Things, one of the most important functions for current electronic products has become the ability of wireless connection. For connection with the internet or between devices, wireless connection is more convenient than a wired connection, which makes the product more competitive. This text will introduce wireless modules launched by Murata Company for you and how they add wireless connection ability for electronic products.
A connection function changes the user experience of electronic products
Usually traditional household electrical appliances and consumer electronics are not equipped with network connection ability, which belongs to independently operating devices. However, along with the rise of the application of the Internet of Things, all things need to be interconnected in order to have a device connect to the internet, develop more smart functions, conduct remote control, or conduct interconnection and information exchange, and provide interlocking functions between devices.
For example, smart televisions that are able to conduct networking can enjoy OTT (Over-The-Top) network video service (e.g. Netflix, Amazon) via the network and can carry out more applications via installing an APP, which makes the television into the main center for obtaining information for the family. In addition, wireless connection technology like WiFi and Bluetooth, etc., can also connect to mobile phones, tablets, and televisions. Then a mobile phone can control the television or project the frames on the phone onto the television wirelessly for mutual appreciation of the whole family. These are the function expansions brought by television’s wireless connection ability, which provides a more convenient operational experience for users.
What’s more, products like sound equipment can also have a new life due to the addition of wireless functionality. Both power amplifiers and loudspeaker can play online music and broadcast or connect with a mobile phone to play the collected music after adding the function of wireless connection, which can improve the practicality and convenience of sound equipment. In the future, more traditional home appliances and consumer products will add the function of network connection and gradually change the use habits of products in order to bring more convenience to human life.
Adding a network connection ability for traditional home appliances and consumer products creates challenges for the manufacturers because they’re not familiar with IT technology. Nowadays, some manufacturers have launched WiFi and Bluetooth modules to speed up the development of new products. The Type 1MW wireless module launched by Murata is a small size high-performance module based on the Cypress CYW43455 combo chipset which supports WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Combined with Bluetooth 5.0 BR/EDR/LE, the PHY data rate of WiFi can reach 433Mbps and the rate of Bluetooth can also reach 3Mbps. The WLAN supports SDIO v3.0 DDR50 ports and the Bluetooth supports high speed 4-wire UART ports and PCM audio data.
The Cypress CYW43455 achieves a highly sophisticated and enhanced collaborative coexistence hardware mechanism and algorithm, which can guarantee the optimization of WLAN and Bluetooth collaboration to realize optimum performance. In IEEE 802.11ac mode, WLAN operation supports the rate of MCS0 - MSC9 (up to 256 QAM) in the channels with the frequency of 20MHz, 40MHz, and 80MHz, of which the data rate reaches up to 433Mbps. The Type 1MW module adopts an impressively small form factor package which contributes to integration with applications with a sensitive size and power dissipation, such as applications on the Internet of Things, hand-held wireless system and gateway, etc., which is also suitable for applications including industrial Internet of Things, smart home, audio/video/voice, etc.
With the order number of LBEE5HY1MW, Type 1MW from Murata is a wireless module carrying a shielded ultra-small dual-band WiFi 11a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth 5.0 module, which simultaneously supports a 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi and Bluetooth module, provides an AP and STA dual-mode network topology. The Cypress CYW43455 chipset can support DSSS/CCK/OFDM modulation techniques and has high-performance functions for the Internet of Things, which supports the NXP i.MX Linux and Cypress WICED™ development platform.
The cooperation among Murata, NXP Semiconductor, Cypress Semiconductor and Embedded Artists AB provides a complete Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection environment, which is used for building world-class internet connection products. Connection modules from Murata can help developers shorten development time the most and reduce the workload of conducting connection function. Developers can get Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module hardware and software fully verified by Murata on the NXP I.MX platform, which simultaneously supports Linux and FreeRTOS.
WICED is the development system of Cypress. It can largely reduce the workload of adding wireless connection for embedded devices. The software development kit (SDK) can help developers quickly create network connection application programs aiming at low resource microcontrollers.
The WICED™ SDK includes an open-source build system developed on the basis of GNU (a sort of free operating system) and toolchain. GUIDE, based on Eclipse CDT, can be seamlessly integrated with the program based on OpenOCD and gdb, as well as a single step and thread-aware debugger, which has complete software stacks and includes advanced safety and network functions such as SSL/TLS, IPv4/IPv6 network, and mDNS/Bonjour. With the functions of producing sample applications available for mass production and providing driver firmware, it is suitable for Linux driver/firmware on the NXP i.MX platform and RTOS driver/firmware of Cypress WICED, which also provides evaluation tools for customers to conduct evaluation and testing.
Adding wireless connection ability for home appliances and consumer products has become an irresistible trend. But how to make these products generate new user experiences, enhance product value, and drive customers’ willingness to replace equipment after adding wireless connection function depends on the manufacturers to use continuous creativity to find bigger blue ocean business opportunities.