Ebitter IoT Application Expert 2024-05-30 19:30 SichuanThere are many types of wireless modules on the market, such as LoRa, Bluetooth, ZigBee, SPI, SoC, etc. How can I choose the right wireless module? In order to ensure that the selected module can meet the needs of specific applications and achieve optimal performance, the following key factors can be considered when selecting a module.

Frequency bands and regulations

First, you need to choose a suitable frequency band, such as 433MHz, 900MHz, 2.4GHz, etc. Different countries and regions have different regulations on the use of wireless spectrum. The 433MHz and 2.4GHz working frequency bands are both unlicensed ISM open frequency bands in China, and many wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and ZigBee use the 2.4GHz frequency band; the 900MHz frequency band is used as an ISM frequency band in the United States and other regions.

Make sure the module has passed the necessary certifications, such as FCC certification, CE certification, SRRC certification, etc., which is essential for legal sales and use.

Transmission distance and transmission rate

Determine the required transmission distance according to the application scenario, short-distance indoor communication such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi; long-distance outdoor communication such as LoRa, NB-IoT, etc., among which the LoRa wireless module uses LoRa spread spectrum technology, has strong anti-interference ability, and the communication distance can reach tens of kilometers. It is also necessary to consider whether the application needs to transmit a large amount of data quickly (such as video streaming) or a small amount of data occasionally (such as sensor readings) to select the data transmission rate.

Ebyte E610 series high-speed continuous transmission wireless data transmission module, built-in high-performance single-chip microcomputer and wireless transceiver chip. In continuous transmission mode, it can perform continuous and uninterrupted transmission at different serial port baud rates, and the receiving end data output delay is low, which is suitable for scenarios that require fast transmission of large amounts of data, such as high-speed sensing, surveying and control, remote sensing positioning, etc.

Power consumption

For battery-powered devices, low power consumption is the key. The longer the battery life of the terminal product, the lower the maintenance cost. Most of the wireless modules on the market now have low power consumption. Such as LoRaWAN and low-power Bluetooth (BLE).

Integration and development

Consider whether the interface provided by the module (such as UART, SPI, I2C, USB) is compatible with the hardware platform you use.

For example, the SPI wireless module is a pure hardware wireless module. Its interface uses SPI communication mode. It needs to be connected to an external MCU to program the MCU and configure the register parameters of the module to complete data communication. The UART wireless serial port module provides standard TTL level and UART serial port. The external interface uses data transparent transmission mode, which can adapt to standard or non-standard user protocols, thereby reducing the difficulty of development.

Some modules can support secondary development. Try to choose modules with rich documentation, sample code and community support to speed up the development progress. In addition, it is necessary to balance performance and cost and choose a cost-effective solution.

Security and stability

Make sure the module supports necessary encryption protocols, such as AES, TLS/SSL, etc., to protect data security. Consider the module's anti-interference ability, drop rate and fault recovery mechanism.

Ecosystem and compatibility

Protocol standards: For example, when choosing a LoRaWAN module, you need to consider whether it needs to be compatible with the existing network infrastructure; when choosing a ZigBee 3.0 module, you need to consider whether it is fully compatible with the ZigBee 3.0 protocol and supports access to major smart home products such as Ya and Xiaomi.

Ecosystem: Joining an active ecosystem, such as the LoRa Alliance or the ZigBee Alliance, can provide more technical support and market opportunities.

In addition, it is also necessary to consider whether the module supports firmware upgrades to ensure long-term compatibility and upgradability of the product.

Ebyte's wireless module products cover a variety of communication formats including LoRa, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, 4G/5G/NB/GPRS, LoRaWAN, CAN, etc., independently developed and providing all-round technical support. The modules have been widely used in service robots, industrial control and medical, smart home, security alarm, environmental monitoring, new energy and other fields.