Wireless modules are usually straightforward to integrate
into a design and pair with a compatible main MCU to offer
a complete IoT solution. With a wireless module, the design
team doesn't need to worry about developing a certification-
and regulation-passing wireless communications circuit,
which can dramatically reduce costs and development
time. Additionally, product line diversity can be achieved by
using different wireless modules—or even the same wireless
module with different programming—to operate with various
wireless standards.
Wireless Modules vs. Wireless
MCUs for 2.4GHz and Sub-GHz IoT
Applications
With both 2.4GHz and sub-GHz frequency ranges well-
suited for most IoT applications, there are many approaches
and product options for designing IoT solutions in these
ranges. Some groups choose to go with a wireless MCU
SoC and design their wireless communication circuit instead
of selecting a prebuilt wireless module. However, to make
"
With a wireless module,
the design team doesn't need
to worry about developing
a certification- and
regulation-passing wireless
communications circuit.
a wireless MCU solution viable, a design group needs RF
design/engineering expertise, lab equipment, RF sourcing
expertise, RF PCB design skills, and antenna design and
fabrication capability, and the entire solution would then
need to be separately certified. On the other hand, a
wireless module is a drop-in solution that can alleviate the
need for additional development work aside from software
development for programming the module.
Conclusion
For a given application, there are a variety of factors to
keep in mind when selecting between wireless MCUs
and wireless modules. Wireless modules have higher
per-chip costs than wireless MCU SoCs. Depending on
the production volume of an IoT product, designers may
incorporate a wireless MCU with a low per-unit cost where
the RF design and development costs would be divided
among a large number of parts. This could result in a lower
cost of production than a wireless module, which may also
not be available at specific volumes desired, depending on
the supply chain for the part.
Beyond the Wires 8
STM32WB1MMC
BLUETOOTH
®
Low Energy
Module
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Discovery Kit with
STM32WB5MMG
MCU
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