Two New Wi-Fi HaLow Modules: Making Long-Range, Low-Power Wi-Fi Accessible
Wi-Fi has revolutionized global communications and operations through continuous evolution. Based on IEEE 802.11 standards, each new Wi-Fi generation delivers enhanced performance, reduced latency, and improved user experiences across diverse environments and devices.
In the frequency perspective, Wi-Fi technology usually falls in the 2.4-6 GHz. However, we can find a unique Sub-1 GHz Wi-Fi HaLow in this Wi-Fi Stack from the Wi-Fi Alliance. It is gaining traction in the IoT market due to its unique combination of long-range capabilities, and low power consumption.
What is Wi-Fi HaLow?
Operating under the IEEE 802.11ah protocol, Wi-Fi HaLow represents a breakthrough in wireless connectivity. Operating in the sub-1GHz frequency band, it offers superior wall penetration compared to traditional Wi-Fi and is particularly well-suited for smart agriculture, industrial IoT, and smart city applications. While current market adoption is still lower than other popular Sub-1 GHz connectivity like LoRa and NB-IoT, increasing chip availability and growing commercial deployments suggest Wi-Fi HaLow is emerging as a promising option for long-range IoT communications in the coming years.
Key features include:
- Sub-1 GHz frequency band operation
- Extended range capabilities (1+ kilometer)
- Superior wall penetration compared to traditional Wi-Fi
- Energy-efficient sleep/wake mechanisms
- Extended battery life (months to years on coin cell batteries)
- High-density device support
- Reliable connections in crowded networks with the ability to support up to 8,191 connected devices per access point
Meet Two Wi-Fi HaLow Solutions from Seeed Studio
Through partnerships with industry leaders Quectel and Morse Micro, two innovative Wi-Fi HaLow solutions are now available for developers to cusom build your long-range low-power Wi-Fi applications.
This Mini-PCIe Module, powered by the Quectel FGH100M-H, is a long-range, low-power Wi-Fi HaLow module. Operating in the 902-928 MHz frequency band, it offers excellent penetration and coverage, making it ideal for smart home and IoT applications. Featuring the industry-standard Mini-PCIe form factor, it’s ideal for industrial and embedded projects where reliable connectivity and space efficiency are essential.
The Wi-Fi HaLow Transceiver Module for XIAO, featuring the Quectel FGH100M-H, brings sub-1 GHz long-range connectivity to Seeed Studio XIAO series dev boards (pre-soldered version) through a simple snap-on socket design. At 42 x 25mm (roughly two times of a stand XIAO), this module offers low-power Wi-Fi HaLow capabilities. It joins the Wio-SX1262 LoRa Module as the second sub-1 GHz connectivity option for Seeed Studio XIAO.
Please be note that as the development relies on the ESP-IDF v5.1.1 along with Morse Micro MM-IoT-SDK Framework . We recommend to use this Wi-Fi HaLow Module together with Seeeed Studio XIAO ESP32 Series Boards. The XIAO ESP32S3 Sense is an ideal candidate since it comes with a camera, only of the most common use cases for WiFi HaLow.
Morse Micro is a leading developer and provider of Wi-Fi HaLow technology, creating chips and solutions that enable long-range, low-power wireless connectivity for IoT devices based on the IEEE 802.11ah standard.
Unlock Long-Range Wi-Fi for Your IoT Projects
As Wi-Fi technology continues to evolve, these new Wi-Fi HaLow modules represent a significant step forward in making long-range, low-power connectivity more accessible to developers and IoT innovators. Whether through the versatile Mini-PCIe form factor or the convenient XIAO Add-on design, these solutions offer practical pathways to implement sub-1 GHz Wi-Fi in diverse applications. With Wi-Fi Alliance’s ongoing support for the HaLow standard and increasing market adoption, these modules are well-positioned to meet the growing demand for reliable, energy-efficient wireless connectivity in IoT deployments, from smart agriculture to industrial automation.
Ready to start your Wi-Fi HaLow journey? The Wio-WM6180 Wi-Fi HaLow Mini-PCIe Module and the Wi-Fi HaLow Transceiver Module for Seeed Studio XIAO can be ordered for $14.9. Visit our store to bring long-range Wi-Fi capabilities to your next IoT project.
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Isn’t it okay to connect the TX to the wifi router with a LAN cable and plug the RX into a power source in a remote location? I’ve done everything I can, but what could be the reason why the wifi isn’t getting stronger?
Is there still no signal after using the antenna?