Wi-Fi Radio Modules

USB, SDIO and PCIe Interfaces

USB 2.0, on the other hand, offers significantly higher data rates and allows an equally space-saving integration with 4 lanes. At a gross data rate of 480Mbps (USB 2.0, high speed), the 802.11n standard can easily be used in a MIMO 2x2 operation (antenna data rate of 300Mbps). By contrast, the 802.11ac standard in a MIMO 1x1 configuration (antenna data rate of 433Mbps) is enough to push this interface (USB 2.0) to its limits.

SDIO is often preferred in industrial applications over USB because the interface is more reliable and stable at similar data rates.

PCIe Mini Card is by far the interface with the highest data rate and is therefore the preferred solution for the 802.11ac broadband standard, but also has the highest power dissipation rate and space requirements. Due to the PCIe Mini Card specifications, all modules are available with the same mechanical interface, which requires a 52-pin connector on the target hardware. Therefore, PCIe modules are mostly used in PC-based systems operating with Linux or Windows.

CODICO offers a wide range of Wi-Fi modules for each interface and each standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Most of these modules support several antennas (MIMO: Multiple Input Multiple Output) to increase data rates or to allow for the use of the Rx- and Tx-Diversity technologies. While modules with USB, SDIO, SPI and UART are offered in MIMO 1x1 and 2x2 designs, the PCIe modules support multiple antenna systems up to a maximum of MIMO 4x4. For 802.11ac, CODICO even offers solutions with MU-MIMO 4x4 (MU:Multi User), a new technology that allows the simultaneous transmission of independent data streams to different clients. Many modules are CE, FCC, and IC certified and are available in commercial or industrial temperature ranges.

Here you can find further information about Wi-Fi Radio Modules.