Quectel Wireless has launched a Wi-Fi HaLow module to provide long range data transmission at low power for IoT applications. The FGH100M Wi-Fi HaLow module increases Wi-Fi range both outdoors and indoors, providing improved penetration through walls and other building structures, while cutting power requirements.

Adopting IEEE 802.11ah wireless networking protocol, also known as Wi-Fi HaLow, operating in the license-exempt Sub-1 GHz range, the FGH100M module provides sub–1 GHz signal coverage and allows users to control IoT devices within a one kilometre radius. It provides ten times the range of traditional Wi-Fi, making it suited for both indoor and outdoor IoT scenarios such as home and industrial automation, smart agriculture, smart city, smart building, warehouse, retail store, campus and more.

Based on Morse Micro’s MM6108 Wi-Fi HaLow SoC, the FGH100M is compliant with IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi standard and operates in 850–950 MHz bands with 1/2/4/8 MHz channel width. It features 21 dBm maximum output power and 32.5 Mbps maximum transmission rate.

The FGH100M Wi-Fi HaLow module enables lower power connectivity than previous Wi-Fi technologies and is able to support coin cell battery devices operating for months or years, which is required for use cases such as smart sensors and condition monitor. Unlike similar IoT technologies, Wi-Fi HaLow supports native IP and does not require proprietary gateways, controllers, or hubs, which streamlines the installation and reduces operating costs.

“Integrating the game-changing Wi-Fi HaLow technology, our FGH100M module will deliver long range and robust Wi-Fi connections without having to sacrifice simplicity and efficiency,” commented Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions. “It is a very powerful complement to our already extensive range of Wi-Fi modules delivering functionality across Wi-Fi 4, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi 6, and Wi-Fi 6E.”

With an ultra-compact size of 13.0 mm × 13.0 mm × 2.2 mm, the FGH100M optimises end-product size and design cost, and meets the demands of size-sensitive applications. The module provides a range of interfaces including UART, SPI, I2C, SDIO 2.0, and PWM.

The FGH100M satisfies the latest Wi-Fi requirements for authentication and encryption including WPA3 and AES for over-the-air (OTA) traffic. It also supports SHA-256, SHA-384, SHA-512 encryption algorithms to better protect transmission data.