Fanstel has launched a series of combined Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi modules that aim to simplify the development process for new Matter smart home product designs. The modules, known as the ‘WT02E40E Series,’ integrate Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF5340 high-end multiprotocol SoC and nRF7002 Wi-Fi 6 Companion IC. Matter is a unified application layer for smart home applications developed by the Connectivity Standards Alliance.

To meet the requirements of most Matter applications that require two antennas, the Fanstel modules offer multiple antenna options. These options include modules with u.FL connectors for Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi 6 antennas, on-chip Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi 6 antennas, vertically-mounted chip antennas for Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi 6, a u.FL connector for a Wi-Fi 6 antenna and an on-chip Bluetooth LE antenna, and a u.FL connector for a Wi-Fi 6 antenna and a high-performance Bluetooth LE PCB antenna.

The modules come with embedded hardware, including three crystals, inductors for DC-DC converters, and a power switch, providing a feature-packed, integrated, and compact solution for developers. The size of the modules ranges from 16 by 28.2 mm to 16 by 35.5 mm, depending on the antenna configuration.

Yuan Fan, Fanstel founder and CEO, highlights that these modules address the challenge of integrating two high-performance antennas in a small area. Additionally, the pre-certification of the modules saves developers the cost of certifying seven different transmitters required for Matter applications, which can be a significant expense for small- and medium-sized businesses.

The Nordic nRF5340 SoC, integrated into the modules, features dual Arm Cortex-M33 processors for high-performance application processing and an ultra-low-power network processor. It also includes security features such as Arm CryptoCell-312, Arm TrustZone technology, and secure key storage. The SoC incorporates a power-optimized multiprotocol 2.4 GHz radio with low TX and RX currents and sleep current as low as 0.9 µA.

The nRF7002 Wi-Fi 6 Companion IC provides low-power and secure Wi-Fi connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT) and acts as an interface to the nRF5340 SoC’s host processor on the Fanstel modules. The nRF7002 supports target wake time (TWT), a power-saving feature of Wi-Fi 6 that extends the battery life of Matter Wi-Fi devices.

Fanstel selected Nordic’s nRF5340 SoC for its powerful dual processors and the nRF7002 for its low power consumption. They also appreciate Nordic Semiconductor’s easy-to-use firmware development environment and excellent technical support.

Bottom line:

In summary, Fanstel has introduced the WT02E40E Series modules, combining Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi capabilities, to simplify the development process for Matter smart home products. These modules integrate Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF5340 SoC and nRF7002 Wi-Fi 6 Companion IC. They offer multiple antenna options to meet various application requirements. The modules provide an integrated and compact solution, embedding all necessary hardware components. By using these pre-certified modules, developers can save significant costs associated with certification. The Nordic components chosen for the modules offer high performance, low power consumption, and advanced security features. Fanstel values Nordic Semiconductor for its user-friendly firmware development environment and exceptional technical support.

Written By: Anissh