Top IOT Products of 2018

Stand-Alone Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy Module for Industrial IoT Applications

The new ANNA-B12 is an ultra-compact Bluetooth 5.0 low energy module for Industrial IoT applications. It has an industrial operating temperature range that makes it ideal for a wide-range of applications in size-constrained designs requiring high speed Bluetooth connectivity. The ANNA-B12 includes an Arm Cortex-M4 microcontroller unit with a floating point unit, flash and RAM. The open CPU option provides full access to the module’s microcontroller so that custom applications can be embedded into the module. Alternatively, product developers can speed up time to market by leveraging the full force of pre-flashed u-blox connectivity software. Click here to view specs.

LoRaWAN + BLE Module with Integrated Antenna

The Onethinx LoRaWAN Core module is a ready-to-use LoRaWAN + Bluetooth low energy module. It consists of Cypress's PSoC 6 with built-in Bluetooth Low Energy wireless connectivity and Semtech's sub-GHz radio transceiver SX1261. The module can transmit up to +15 dBm of power with a highly efficient integrated power amplifier and consumes up to 4.2 mA of current in receive mode. Click here to view specs.

Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0 IC with Built-in Flash ROM

The TC35680FSG-001 from Toshiba is a Bluetooth® low energy Ver. 5.0 IC that combines high transmission output (data rates up to 2 Mbps) with low current consumption. It has a receiver sensitivity of -105 dBm at 125 kbps, and a built-in high efficiency power amplifier in the transmission block delivers up to +8 dBm transmission power. Additionally, 18-port GPIOs interfaces, which can be set to 2 channels each for SPI, I2C, and UART are also included, allowing full structuring of systems that connect to various peripheral devices. These GPIOs can be configured as a wakeup function, 4-channel PWM, 5-channel ADC interface and many others. They can optionally be configured as a control interface for an external amplifier for long range communication. The TC35680FSG has a built-in Flash ROM and is available in a QFN package that measures 5 x 5 mm. It is ideal for IoT, beacon tags, healthcare and industrial applications. The BLE 5.0 module can be used in a number of other low power applications. Click here to view specs.

Compact, Low Power WLAN 2x2 MU-MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0 Module

The SPB228 is an ultra high performance module for WLAN 2x2 MU-MIMO dual-band and Bluetooth 5 multi-radio ready for integration into Linux platforms. The 12x16mm low power, high performance SPB228 module enables a feature rich client solution providing a nominal 867Mbps data rate. It supports concurrent or independent operation of WLAN and Bluetooth.

The SPB228 has multiple high-speed interfaces to the host to simplify integration into host systems. It comes with dual MHF4 connectors for flexible choice of antennas. Click here to view specs.

Integrated Cat-M1 & NB1 IoT Chipset

The ALT1250 from Altair Semiconductor is a narrowband cellular IoT chipset with integrated GNSS/GPS capability. The module supports both Release 13 standards - CAT-M1 and NB1, and includes a wideband RF front-end supporting a wide range of combinations of LTE bands within a single hardware design. It integrates an LTE baseband processor, RF transceiver, PMU, memory, PAs, filters and antenna switch, a GNSS and a cellular based location engine, as well as an IoT-optimized security framework. The chipset has ultra-low power consumption in a variety of modes, including 3GPP PSM and eDRX, enabling more than 10 years of battery life. It is available in a package measuring less than 100 mm2 in size and is ideal for many IoT applications - including asset tracking, vehicle monitoring and wearable devices. The ALT1250 chipset is designed to operate with rechargeable Li-ion and prime batteries. Click here to view specs.

Ultra-Low Power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Combo Solution for IoT Applications

The CYW43012 from Cypress is an Ultra-Low Power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Combo Solution for wearables, smart home products and portable audio applications. The solution is IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n-compliant and 802.11ac-Friendly, meaning it is interoperable with 802.11ac access points using standard modes. The chip simultaneously supports dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth/Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0 applications. It prolongs battery life by leveraging 28nm process technology to cut power consumption up to 70 percent in receive mode and up to 80 percent in sleep mode. It is available in a 251-pin WLCSP package that measures 3.76 mm x 4.27 mm, 0.2 mm pitch and is ideal for IoT and embedded applications. Click here to view specs.

Low Power ZigBee, 802.15.4, DigiMesh and BLE RF Module

The XBee3 ZigBee3.0 modules from Digi support all 2.4 GHz protocols including ZigBee, 802.15.4, DigiMesh and BLE. These modules provide MicroPython programmability and dual-mode radios that are capable of providing RF connectivity for short range and Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) applications. The modules have a low-power microcontroller capable of delivering intelligence at the network edge, and the ability to switch between multiple frequencies and wireless protocols without changing the device. Click here to view specs.

Dual Mode Multi-Protocol Wireless Solution for V2X Communications

The WaveCombo Module (Part No. WCMBA1-NBZ-D0P) from Redpine signals is a multi-protocol wireless module that supports 802.11a/b/g/n, 802.11p, dual-mode Bluetooth and 802.15.4/Zigbee. The module can be used in either 802.11p mode or 802.11n/Bluetooth/802.15.4 mode with an application layer switching between the two modes. It has integrated MAC Layer, PHY Layer, 2.4/5 GHz RF transceiver and a power amplifier.

The module is available in a surface mount package that measures 20 x 23.9 x 2.2 mm and is ideal for Connected Car (V2X) applications. It can be used for dedicated short range communications (DSRC) as well as non-DSRC applications and can also be for use in bicycles, helmets, smart phones, and any such non-vehicular applications for rider as well as pedestrian safety. WaveCombo can be used in Road Side Units (RSUs) as well as On-Board Units (OBUs). Click here to view specs.

Bluetooth 5 Module with Integrated Antenna

The BL651 Series from Laird is a Bluetooth 5.0 module with an integrated antenna based on Nordic's nRF52810 chipset. This module has been customized to balance throughput with power usage, enabled by ultra-low power sleep mode. Customers can write hostless applications utilizing the Nordic SDK directly and all supporting Nordic utilities. Click here to view specs.

Embedded Bluetooth 4.0 module for Lighting Control Applications

The CBM-002A/B from Casambi is a Class 2 embedded Bluetooth 4.0 module designed to be integrated into LED drivers, different lighting control applications, light fixtures and LED bulbs. The module provides an output power of up to 4 dBm and has a RX sensitivity of -93 dBm. It can be controlled wirelessly with Casambi smartphone and tablet applications using Bluetooth 4.0 protocol and automatically forms a wireless mesh network. The module has a powerful 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4 CPU and a 2.4 GHz transceiver with on-board antenna and optional matching circuitry. The CBM-002 is available in two variants: CBM-002A, that has a chip antenna and CBM-002B, that has a pin antenna. It can be mounted both in horizontal and vertical position making it very versatile for projects with different form-factors. Click here to view specs.

Size-optimized LTE Cat M1/NB1 and EGPRS Module

The SARA-R412M from u-blox is a LTE Cat M1, NB-IoT, and quad band 2G (EGPRS) module for worldwide coverage. Using this module, developers can select their own desired frequencies and operator configurations. It ensures data integrity between applications via secure communication protocols, notably including two-way authentication between the client and server, a strategy often utilized with cloud services. The module measures 16 x 26 x 2.5 mm and is ideal for gas, water, and electricity metering, city street lighting, building automation, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), industrial monitoring and control, telematics, insurance, asset and vehicle tracking, security systems, alarm panels, outpatient monitoring, and many consumer wearables. Click here to view specs.

LTE Multi-Band Front End Module for IoT

The SKY68020-11 from Skyworks is Front-end Solution for IoT Applications. This hybrid multi-band, multi-chip module supports LTE-M / NB-IoT (half-duplex system) transceiver systems. The module contains the entire RF Front End required for an LTE multi-band radio operating at low-band (5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 71 and 85) and mid-band (1, 2, 3, 4, 25, 39, 66 and 70) frequencies. It includes Rx-low pass filters, broadband PA with a bias controller, Tx low-pass harmonic filter, antenna switch and MIPI RFFE controller. The FEM is available in a 4 mm x 5 mm x 0.9 mm package. Click here to view specs.

Wi-Fi + Bluetooth Low Energy MCU Module for IoT Applications

The ESP32-WROOM from Espressif Systems is a Wi-Fi+BT+BLE MCU module that supports variety of applications such as low-power sensor networks, voice encoding, music streaming and MP3 decoding. The module has an integarted 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip. It supports a data rate of up to 150 Mbps and has a sleep current of under 5 microampere, making it suitablefor battery powered and wearable electronics applications. The module has an embedded antenna switch, RF balun, power amplifier, low-noise receive amplifier, filters, and power management modules. It is available with a U.FL connector to which an external antenna can be attached. The module supports secure (encrypted) over the air (OTA) upgrades and is FCC/CE (RED)/IC/TELEC/KCC/SRRC/NCC and Wi-Fi Alliance certified. Click here to view specs.

Ultra-Low-Power Multi-protocol Bluetooth 5 System-on-Chip

The RSL10 from ON Semiconductor is an ultra-low-power, multi-protocol Bluetooth 5 certified SoC for IoT and "connected" health and wellness devices. It has been specifically designed for applications using 1.2 and 1.5 V batteries, with a voltage supply range between 1.1 and 3.6 V without a required DC/DC converter. The highly-integrated SoC has a dual-core architecture and a 2.4 GHz transceiver, providing the flexibility to support Bluetooth low energy technology and other 2.4 GHz proprietary or custom protocols. The SoC has a receive sensitivity of -94 dBm and transmits a power of -17 to 6 dBm. This ultra-low power device consumes 62.5 nW of power in deep sleep mode and 7 mW of power during receive mode. It also supports firmware updates over the air (FOTA). The module is ideal for fitness trackers, activity monitors, hearables and heart rate monitors. Click here to view specs.

Bluetooth Smart SiP Module with Built-in Chip Antenna

The BGM12x series of bluetooth low energy system-in-package (SiP) modules with a built-in chip antenna from Silicon Labs are ideal for fitness wearables, smartwatches, personal medical devices, wireless sensor nodes and other space-constrained connected devices. The BGM12x module provides an all-in-one Bluetooth connectivity solution integrating an ARM Cortex-M4 processor, high-output Bluetooth power amplifier, high-efficiency onboard antenna, external antenna options, oscillators and passives, along with a reliable, secure Bluetooth 4.2 stack and best-in-class development tools. These modules are available with different transmit output power options, from 3 dBm (BGM123) to 8 dBm (BGM121) and have a range up to 200 meters. They are available in a tiny 6.5 mm x 6.5 mm x 1.4 mm package with an antenna clearance area up to 51 mm2 and are pre-certified for use in key global markets. All application code can be executed on the BGM12x module, eliminating the need for an external MCU. Click here to view specs.

860 to 930 MHz RF Front-End Module

The SKY66420-11 is available in a 16-pin, 3.0 x 3.0 x 0.75 mm Multi-Chip Module (MCM) package and is suitable for IoT, smart meters, LP-WAN devices and Industrial applications. Click here to view specs.

LPWA Module for LTE-M / NB-IoT Networks

The WP7702 from Sierra Wireless is a Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) LTE-M / NB-IoT module, which is fully compliant with the 3GPP Release 13 standard. It has an ultra-low power mode that reduces power consumption by 200x for battery or solar powered applications and an optional GNSS receiver that enables tracking and location-based services. The module delivers up to 300 Kbps download speed and 375 Kbps upload speed. It is available in LGA package that measures 22 x 23 x 2.5 mm and is ideal for real-time fixed or mobile applications such as consumer wearables, health monitoring devices, tracking devices, and smart city devices. The module comes with FREE unlimited firmware over-the-air (FOTA) upgrades for the lifetime of the module. Click here to view specs.