Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1517877
8 Experts on Overcoming Challenges of RF Solution Design 19 The goal is to solve the problem by achieving the requirement with minimum effort and at the lowest cost. The question is, how do we prioritize these competing factors within the design? The answer depends on many factors, including the complexity of the wireless requirement, reliability, and the product life cycle. If you have a highly specialized requirement, you may need to design your own wireless section, but that takes a lot of time. In contrast, if you can find a module that satisfies all your wireless requirements, it will save a lot of engineering time. Software development is another consideration. Many wireless devices have two levels of software development: lower-level software that works on the data link and network layer and higher-level software that is the device's application layer. When you use a wireless module, the lower-level software is already developed. So, you can focus all your efforts on developing and debugging the higher-level software, a potentially complex process in itself that can involve multiple teams. Not having to develop and debug the lower-level software saves a lot of time. A wireless module can reduce development time—if you can find the right module. This module must satisfy your wireless requirements. Reference regulatory certification is a valuable proposition because it is a proven, compliant component—and it is available. Quality and availability are important, as well. A module that is unreliable can have a high failure rate, high service costs, and result in brand damage. If the module is unavailable, you don't even have a product. The solution is to choose a prestigious manufacturer that has a track record of delivering quality components at high volumes, even in the hundreds of millions of units. Second sourcing is also an option to ensure availability, but that is not always possible because of the different performance characteristics of wireless modules. Also, you must ''A wireless module can reduce development time— if you can find the right module. This module must satisfy your wireless requirements. Reference regulatory certification . . . is a proven, compliant component—and it is available."