RF Monolithics has added the WLS-series of Wifi and Wifi plus Bluetooth combination modules to its integrated short-range radio products.
Three standards-based modules have been added – the WLS1270, WLS1271 (pictured) and the WLS1273 – to the company’s proprietary RFIC and saw-based product portfolio.
“The addition of the WLS-series combo modules enables RFM to reach a broad new level of customer beyond our historical customer base,” said Farlin Halsey, RFM’s president and CEO. “We are already engaged with both existing and new customers in early evaluation stages, which provide us initial insight into how this product line further enhances our opportunities in our target markets and across a broader set of applications.
“And given the rapid introduction of new Wifi and Bluetooth devices in M2M applications, the potential market for these products is significant and fits well within our M2M strategy.”
Larry Miller, director of product management for the RFM integrated short-range radio product portfolio, added: “Immediate access to information and the standard-based communications protocols for ease of connectivity have become major selling points for Wifi and Bluetooth. As a result, the RFM WLS series of combo modules are ideal for OEMs wanting to quickly add Wifi, or Wifi plus Bluetooth, connectivity within a broad range of products for worldwide markets.
The WLS-series of products include Wifi and Bluetooth technology in a single SoC and a high-efficiency RF front-end circuit plus a DC-DC converter. Some external circuitry is required to complete a radio design; add an antenna, power source, processor and associated interface hardware, and the radio hardware design is complete.
“The WLS-series modules are particularly appealing to designers because of their optimised RF performance and high-level of integration all within a small form factor,” said Miller. “Both are hallmarks of the RFM integrated short-range radio line for which we are well-known. The benefits to our OEM customers are low-cost and shorter design cycles.”
They are FCC or Etsi certifiable. The WLS1270 is IEEE 802.11b/g/ and 11n compliant; the size of the module is 9.2 by 8.4 by 1.35mm. The WLS1271 is IEEE 802.11b/g/ and 11n compliant, Bluetooth 2.1 plus EDR, power class two compliant; the size of the module is 9.2 by 8.4 by 1.35mm. The WLS1273 is IEEE 802.11a/b/g/ and 11n compliant, Bluetooth 2.1 plus EDR, power class two compliant; the size of the module is 11.4 by 9.4 by 1.4mm.
The WLS evaluation kits support Linux and Android operating systems.