Global IoT solutions provider Quectel, in its own words, “exists to connect devices and people to networks and services, powering digital innovation.” Quectel is on a mission to help build a smarter world; one more connected with products and services that make aspects of our lives more convenient and efficient, as well as comfortable and secure.
Last week, I shared an article about Quectel; specifically, about how the company had introduced a new pre-paid connectivity offering to help simplify IoT deployments for European markets. (i.e. providing flat-rate roaming IoT SIMs for 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE Cat-M, and NB-IoT at a highly competitive one-time charge)
Now, we’ve got more Quectel news on our hands:
Quectel has officially announced the launch of its FGH100M Wi-Fi HaLow module. This provides long-range data transmission, low power consumption, less complexity in general, and improved penetration through walls and other obstructions.
Here are the long-story-short technicals: Adopting IEE 802.11ah wireless networking protocol (known as Wi-Fi HaLow) this FGH100M module meets a slew of unique IoT application requirements by operating within the license-exempt Sub-1 GHz signal coverage range. This allows IoT device users control within a one kilometer radius, providing 10 times the range of traditional Wi-Fi (and deeming this suitable for both indoor and outdoor IoT uses cases like smart home automation, smart agriculture, smart warehouses and retail stores, campuses, and elsewhere).
Per Quectel: “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 even years). This is critical for smart sensors and condition monitors, for instance. And unlike similar IoT tech, Wi-Fi HaLow supports native IP and requires neither proprietary gateways, nor controllers or hubs. This streamlines the installation greatly while reducing operating costs.
Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO of Quectel Wireless Solutions, added more to this list of specs and benefits.
“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,” Muhrer said. “And with its ultra-compact design, it optimizes end-product size costs and meets size-sensitive application demands.”
Notably (for those wondering), this solution satisfies the latest in Wi-Fi requirements for authentication and encryption, including WPA3 and AES for OTA traffic, and it supports SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512 encryption algorithms to more profoundly protect transmission data.
“This 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,” Muhrer added.
Engineering samples of the FGH100M Wi-Fi HaLow module are currently available.
Edited by
Greg Tavarez
