Modules Built for Connected Systems

Need Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth in your device? These modules help speed up development for connected products. u-blox announces MAYA-W5 and NORA-W5, its new reliable Wi-Fi 6 modules for cost-conscious applications u-blox has introduced two new Wi-Fi 6 module families, MAYA-W5 and NORA-W5, aimed at providing wireless connectivity for a wide range of IoT applications, including smart homes, building automation, industrial systems, healthcare devices, and asset-tracking solutions. The modules combine Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth Low Energy in compact form factors and are available with either internal or external antennas. The company has developed the two families with different architectures to support varying design requirements. MAYA-W5 is a host-based module, while NORA-W5 operates as a stand-alone solution with onboard processing capabilities. Built on Texas Instruments chipsets, both module families are designed and manufactured in Europe. According to u-blox, this approach helps reduce supply-chain risks while addressing demand for cost-effective wireless modules that meet reliability, security, and deployment requirements. The modules are globally certified and intended for industrial-grade products, helping developers avoid the complexity of chip-level wireless design and shorten development cycles. The MAYA-W5 series is based on the Texas Instruments CC3351 chipset and supports dual-band Wi-Fi connectivity through an SDIO interface and Bluetooth communication through UART. It is designed for applications where a host processor manages the wireless functions. The NORA-W5 series is built on Texas Instruments’ CC35x1E platform and includes an onboard Arm Cortex-M33 microcontroller. The stand-alone module offers multiple memory options and supports u-connectXpress software, allowing developers to integrate wireless connectivity without requiring a separate host processor. Both module families are form-factor compatible with existing MAYA and NORA products, allowing designers to migrate between modules while maintaining long-term product plans. “From smart buildings to industrial automation, engineers need Wi-Fi 6 that delivers reliable, seamless connectivity right from the start. By integrating TI’s CC3351 and CC3551 Wi-Fi devices into their NORA-W5 and MAYA-W5 modules, u-blox is giving engineers the tools to accelerate their designs and bring production-ready products to market faster. Seeing our chipsets at the heart of these modules is a testament to what’s possible when the right technology partnerships come together to push IoT forward,” said Shmulik Elgavi, Wi-Fi connectivity product line manager, Texas Instruments. Click here for the original announcement.