RTL8722DM: An Ultra-Low-Power IoT WiFi Solution
So far, IoT systems especially the robust one require wiring as the wireless system normally requires more energy consumption. Realtek recently announced a new product, RTL8722DM, which is an ultra-low-power Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module. This product can help customers save energy while flexibly using multiple wireless communication methods for communication. You must be curious what exactly is RTL8722DM? Let’s have a look.
What is RTL8722DM?
Realtek RTL872xD is a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module that has dual bands for Wi-Fi communication. It is worth saying that this little module can support low power dual bands(2.4G and 5G) Wireless LAN(WLAN) and Bluetooth Low Energy v5.0 as well. This Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module can be regarded as an SoC for the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth application with typical SBCs. Except for the main chip, the Realtek872xD module consists of a high-performance MCU named KM4, a low power MCU named KM0, WLAN (802.11 a/b/g/n) MAC, a 1T1R capable WLAN baseband, RF, Bluetooth, and peripherals. An inner antenna and many interfaces are available in this little Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module. Compare with ESP series, this Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module has more functions like 5G Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0. As a matter of fact, this little module can be widely used for more applications than the ESP series.
Features
- World’s first ultra-low power usage Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 dual-channel IoT SoC, with:
- low power consumption
- anti-interference performance
- super short latency
- super fast wakeup
- It integrates with the newest security architecture.
- This chip consists of audio codec, Key-Scan and touch keys.
- It contains high-speed connectivity interfaces: SDIO & USB
Specification
Parameter | Value |
Processor | Dual processor core – KM4 & KM0 |
Flash | SPI / QSPI / QPI controller with cache Flash In-Circuit Programming(ICP) are supported |
Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n 1×1, 2.4GHz & 5GHz Support 20MHz / 40MHz up to MCS7 |
Bluetooth | Support BLE, BLE 5.0 |
Secure | AES / DES / SHA hardware engine TrustZone-M and secure boot supported |
SD / SDIO | Support SD card hold Support SDIO 2.0 SDR25 Clock rate up to 50MHz |
USB | Support USB 2.0 Support HS/FS/LS mode |
Item | Peripherals | Comment | RTL8720DN | RTL8722DM |
UART | HS_UART0 | N | Y | |
HS_UART1 | Internal for BT | N | N | |
HS_USI_UART | Y | Y | ||
LP_UART1 | Low power mode wakeup | Y | Y | |
LP_UART0 | LP_UART0 is LOGUART/low power mode | Y | Y | |
SPI | HS_SPI0 | Maximum 50MHz/ Master/ Slave | N | Y |
HS_SPI1 | Maximum 25MHz/ Master | Y | Y | |
HS_USI_SPI | Maximum 25MHz/ Master/ Slave | Y | Y | |
RTC_OUT | RTC_OUT | Y | Y | |
EXT_32K | EXT_32K | Y | Y | |
LP_TIM4_TRIG | LP_TIM4_TRIG | Time capture | N | Y |
LP_TIM5_TRIG | LP_TIM5_TRIG | Time capture | N | Y |
IR | IR | Y | Y | |
I2C | LP_I2C | Standard(up to 100Kbps) and fast (up to 3.33Mbps) | Y | Y |
HS_USI_I2C | Standard / fast / high-speed mode (up to 3.33Mbps) | Y | Y | |
SDIO | SDIO 2.0 Device | Maximum 50MHz | N | Y |
SD HOST | Maximum 50MHz | N | Y | |
PWM | HS_PWM0~17 | 8 | 17 | |
LP_PWM0~5 | Support low power mode | 4 | 6 | |
I2S | I2S | N | Y | |
DMIC | DMIC | Y | Y | |
LCD | LCD | 8-bit / 16-bit / RGB mode / MCU mode / LED mode | N | Y |
Q-Decoder | Q-Decoder | N | Y | |
SGPIO | SGPIO | Y | Y | |
Key-Scan | Key-Scan | 4×2 / 3×3 | 4×8 / 6×6 | |
Wake Pin | Wake Pin | Wake up deep sleep | 6 | 12 |
HS_TIM4_TRIG | HS_TIM4_TRIG | Time capture | Y | Y |
HS_TIM5_TRIG | HS_TIM5_TRIG | Time capture | Y | Y |
Analog Pin | USB | USB host(support USB mass storage class) and device | Y | Y |
ADC | 0~3.3V | x3 | x7 | |
VBAT_MEAS | 0~5V | N | Y | |
Cap-Touch | N | x4 | ||
Audio Output | Analog audio codec output | N | x2(Differential)/ x2(single-end) x2(AUXIN) | |
Audio Input | Analog audio codec input | N | x1(Differential)/ x2(single-end) x2(AUXIN) |
Example applications of RTL8722DM
- Industrial wireless control
- Bluetooth gateway
- Wearable smart devices
- Security ID tags
- Smart home
Meet solution based on RTL8722DM and RTL8720DN at Seeed
RTL872xD offers us a wide range of design possibilities, such as smart locks, smartwatches, remote controllers, home entertainment systems and etc.
At Seeed, we have built some products based on RTL872xD.
Wio Terminal
![](https://blog.seeedstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/wio_terminal.png)
Wio Terminal is an ATSAMD51-based microcontroller with wireless connectivity supported by Realtek RTL8720DN. With the use of RTL8720DN, Wio Terminal provides a powerful processor and reliable wireless connectivity. It runs at 120MHz (Boost up to 200MHz) and supports both Bluetooth (BLE4/5.0) and Wi-Fi (2.4G/5G), providing a backbone for IoT projects.
With Wio Terminal:
- Wio Terminal + Grove = IoT System
- Wio Terminal + Raspberry Pi = Edge Computing System
- Wio Terminal + Customized add-ons = Handheld devices or endless possibilities!
Highlight Feature
![Wio-Terminal-KeyFeatures](https://files.seeedstudio.com/wiki/Wio-Terminal/img/Wio-Terminal-KeyFeature.png)
- Highly integrated design
- Powerful MCU – Microchip ATSAMD51P19
- Reliable wireless connectivity – Powered by Realtek RTL8720DN
- USB OTG Support
- Compatible with Grove Ecosystem
- Raspberry Pi 40-pin Compatible
- Software support
Demo
Build An Affordable IR Thermal Imaging Camera using Wio Terminal and Grove – Infrared Temperature Sensor Array (AMG8833)
![Wio-Terminal-IR](https://static-cdn.seeedstudio.com/media/wysiwyg/IRcamera.gif)
Play retro game on Wio Terminal
![Wio-Terminal-Lretro](https://static-cdn.seeedstudio.com/media/wysiwyg/wtretro.gif)
For more demos and detailed instructions, please check our wiki.
Seeed IoT Button for AWS
![](https://blog.seeedstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IOTBUTTON-1030x511.png)
The Seeed IoT Button For AWS is a Wi-Fi-based, programmable button that is easy to configure and simple to use. You can use the Seeed IoT Button For AWS to capture quick customer feedback without burdening customers with time-consuming questionnaires. This button supports three types of clicks: single, double, and long press, and 3 LEDs for different indications. It is designed for enterprises and developers to easily integrate with existing business workflows and systems using the AWS IoT 1-Click service.
Features
- AWS IoT 1-Click service
- Single/Double/Long Press Click Events
- Onboard Power/Event/Wi-Fi Configuration Status LED
- Equipped with Realtek RTL8720DN, dual-band 2.4Ghz / 5Ghz Wi-Fi
- Removable and Chargeable NCR18650B Battery
- Battery polarity reversed protection and indication
- USB Type-C Charging
- Stickable Bracket
What can Seeed IoT Button For AWS do?
Scenario | Methods |
---|---|
Hotel | By using different types of clicks to differentiate what services do the tenant wants. |
Restaurant | Using different types of clicks to indicate where the customers are sitting and what food they ordered. |
Manufacture Factories | Different types of clicks to trigger different manufacture problems that appeared. |
Near Airports | By installing the IoT Button near the Airports, people from the neighbourhood can input different feelings towards the noise level. For example, Acceptable, no feeling or annoyed. |
Ameba RTL8722DM IoT Development Board
![](https://blog.seeedstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/WechatIMG28893.jpeg)
Ameba RTL8722DM IoT Development Board integrates the RTL8722DM SoC which is the latest generation SoC of the Ameba IoT solution family and it is powered by a high-performance 32-bit dual MCU with a new architecture from Arm®; an Arm®v8M (Cortex-M33 instruction set compatible) running at up to 200MHz and an Arm®v8M (Cortex-M23 instruction set compatible) running at up to 20MHz.
Features
- Ultra-low power consumption suitable for IoT applications
- Latest high-security architecture with secure boot
- Dual Arm® powered CPUs for higher performance
- Fast wireless speeds with the latest wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi 5GHz and BLE5
- Rich I/O peripherals to further expand your projects
The final version of the board will have all the GPIO pins bent at an angle of 90° from the board to allow convenient access to the Arduino pins. There are two Arduino female headers available so that you could use Arduino(or Seeeduino) shields with it.