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As the sun starts shining and temperatures climb, your backyard, patio, and deck suddenly become prime spots for everything from leisurely weekend hangouts to outdoor work sessions. But if your WiFi signal fizzles the second you cross your doorframe, it’s tough to really enjoy the fresh air. Learn how Orbi can help cover your outdoor spaces with powerful WiFi.

Not so long ago, devices needed to be close to your router to achieve a reliable internet outdoors connection. Wireless technology has evolved dramatically since 2015, when the first NETGEAR WiFi mesh systems were introduced. Today’s blazing-fast WiFi 7 mesh networks allow you to enjoy seamless connectivity and whole-home coverage upstairs and downstairs, from the front door to the backyard.

Understanding the Need for Strong WiFi in Outdoor Areas

Indoor/outdoor lifestyles and open-plan living trends are here to stay. However, with the increasing demand for seamless connectivity, having a stable and reliable WiFi signal outdoors is more important than ever. WiFi mesh systems are the solution. Whether you want internet access on your patio, in the garden, or by the pool, extending your WiFi range and eliminating dead spots with WiFi mesh can make it possible.

A WiFi signal gets weaker as we move away from the WiFi router. This can be challenging if you want good internet speeds with robust signal strength outdoors. A poor internet connection will limit your ability to stream music, connect with smart home devices, or send updates to friends and family. Upgrading your home WiFi network isn’t difficult, but you should first assess the WiFi range of your current system. Then, you’ll understand the areas of your property requiring improvement and can plan accordingly with a suitable wireless networking setup.

Exploring Mesh WiFi Solutions for Seamless Coverage

The next step in achieving wireless connectivity with fast speeds in the backyard is to explore your options. Your main router access point can only broadcast the WiFi signal so far. A WiFi extender can rebroadcast the signal further but with diminished signal strength. Running Ethernet cables everywhere or purchasing additional routers and access points will become complex and costly. Fortunately, the best mesh WiFi systems such as NETGEAR Orbi Whole-Home WiFi 7 Mesh Systems provide excellent performance and functionality. These systems have the fastest WiFi speeds and also have their own ethernet ports with 2.5 gb and 1 gigabit for devices requiring an ethernet cable for connections.

What is Mesh WiFi and How Does It Work?

Mesh WiFi comprises a main router and one or more WiFi satellite access points strategically positioned around your home. The satellites act in daisy-chain fashion to extend the WiFi signal and eliminate WiFi dead zones, without diminished WiFi signal strength. NETGEAR Orbi satellites perform just like your main router and include multi-gigabit wired Ethernet ports, WAN ports, and USB ports to deliver fast throughput download speeds for whole home over thousands of sq. ft. coverage indoors and outside in the backyard. If placed near a window or wall adjacent to your outdoor space you can expect on strong coverage compared traditional WiFi setups.

Comparing Traditional Routers and Mesh WiFi Systems

Traditional routers can provide adequate signal strength in smaller homes and apartments. They are also useful for connecting with one or two priority devices for gamers, streamers, and remote workers. However, a traditional router will struggle to meet the WiFi demands in larger homes or multi-story homes with multiple connected devices. A mesh router system is the answer for maximizing square feet of WiFi coverage.

Progressive NETGEAR Orbi WiFi 7 systems include the new 6GHz band alongside the traditional 5GHz band and 2.4GHz band. This mesh WiFi innovation provides the option for enhanced dedicated backhaul between the router and satellites for faster and more seamless connectivity for up to 200 devices running simultaneously. And there is much more to get excited about with new WiFi 7 technology.

Key Features of the Best Mesh WiFi for Outdoor Use

NETGEAR Orbi quad-band WiFi and tri-band WiFi mesh systems offer the best mesh home coverage on the planet. The average home in the US today contains 20+ connected WiFi devices and smart home applications, making Orbi WiFi 7 a savvy investment to future-proof your network. Key features and capabilities include:

Automatic Configuration with the Orbi App

With NETGEAR Orbi, there’s no need to manually configure the router and satellites. The Orbi App can do everything for you. The entire system can be operated with a single password so you can move through your home with seamless connectivity.

Superfast WiFi Speeds

Multi-Gig speeds are a reality with Orbi mesh networks. WiFi 7 mesh distributes the signal evenly across your home at speeds up to 27Gbps, perfect for HD streaming, multi-player gaming, conferencing, virtual reality, and outdoor parties.

Network Expansion and Reliability

With Orbi mesh systems, you can set up a home network, guest network, and smart home Internet of Things (IoT) network. NETGEAR Orbi 970 can handle the needs of large households, even when everyone is connected to the internet. To expand the WiFi network even further, simply connect an additional Orbi add-on satellite.

Robust Security Features

NETGEAR WiFi 7 routers include WPA3 encrypted security. They also support NETGEAR Armor powered by Bitdefender with VPN. This advanced web protection system includes automatic security updates for your router, satellites, and end-point devices such as computers, Apple iPhones, Android smartphones, Amazon Alexa, and other smart home applications. Armor security blocks viruses, spyware, malware, ransomware, malicious links, and other online threats. Also consider adding NETGEAR Strict Parental Controls to protect your kids online.

Tips for Setting Up Mesh WiFi for Backyard Coverage

There are several ways to optimize high-speed WiFi coverage outdoors. Here are some WiFi coverage solutions for achieving the best possible device performance for large homes and in the backyard.

Optimal Placement of Mesh Satellites: Overlap satellite coverage for best results. If satellites are too far apart the signal won’t be stable. If too close together, satellite signals may interfere with each other.

Elevate the Satellites: Placing the satellites on a table or shelf can deliver better signal strength. Consider Orbi wall mounts for a high-tech decor touch.

Avoid Walls and Obstacles: Position your router and satellites so the wireless signal doesn’t need to pass through WiFi barriers. Orbi is the best mesh WiFi for penetrating thick walls and other obstacles.

Add Additional Satellites: The most popular Orbi mesh networks come in two-pack or three-pack systems. If you need more WiFi coverage, you can purchase add-on Orbi satellites separately.

Use the Orbi App for Setup and Monitoring: The Orbi App can be downloaded on your computer or smartphone. It will walk you through step by step for easy setup and monitoring for optimal indoor and outdoor performance. You can even run speed tests to ensure your system is operating at maximum capacity.

At Silicon Labs, we are dedicated to advancing the Wi-SUN standard and ensuring that our solutions meet the highest industry standards. Silicon Labs has been at the forefront of developing Wi-SUN solutions for over a decade, and this continues with the certification of our EFR32FG25 for FAN 1.1 router and border router applications. Our focus on Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 certification is a testament to our commitment to providing reliable, efficient, and future-proof connectivity solutions, exemplified by being one of the first 3 companies in the world to achieve this certification. Our extensive experience and expertise have enabled us to create a comprehensive portfolio that supports both OFDM and FSK technologies. Our Wi-SUN certified ICs, reference designs, and development tools are designed to simplify the certification process and accelerate time-to-market for our customers.

Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 Certified Devices

Our EFR32FG25 and EFR32FG28 devices are specifically designed to support the Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 standard. These devices offer high data rates, with the EFR32FG25 supporting up to 3.6 Mbps. By providing robust support for both FSK and OFDM PHYs, these devices ensure that your products meet the stringent requirements of the Wi-SUN Alliance. The inclusion of Silicon Labs devices as part of the Certified Test Bed Units (CTBU) ensures your devices meet the highest standards of the Wi-SUN Alliance. This certification underscores our commitment to quality and performance, providing you with confidence that your solutions are reliable and secure.

Our certified reference designs are a key component of our Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 support. These designs simplify the development process, reduce complexity, and ensure compatibility with Wi-SUN standards. By using our certified reference designs, you can accelerate your development timeline and bring your products to market faster. Our Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 support provides reliable and efficient communication, ensuring your devices stay connected in even the most challenging environments. With our certified Wi-SUN stack, you can trust that your solutions will meet industry standards and deliver consistent performance. Backwards compatibility with FAN 1.0 ensures that your investment is protected, and your network can evolve with emerging technologies. Our comprehensive development tools streamline the design process, reducing time-to-market and development costs.

Silicon Labs’ Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 Support

As a Wi-SUN Alliance Promoter Member, Silicon Labs is dedicated to advancing the Wi-SUN standard and delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the needs of our customers. Our ongoing participation in the development of future specifications ensures that you always have access to the latest advancements in wireless technology. Experience the future of connectivity with Silicon Labs’ Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 support, where innovation meets reliability and performance. In the ever-evolving landscape of wireless communication, the Wi-SUN standard stands out as a beacon of innovation. Designed to facilitate seamless connectivity among smart-grid devices, Wi-SUN is tailored for large-scale outdoor IoT networks. These networks encompass a wide array of applications, including Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), smart cities, asset management, environmental monitoring, agriculture, structural health monitoring, home energy management, distribution automation, and much more.

Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 Certification Ensures Interoperable Devices

The Wi-SUN Alliance is a global non-profit member-based association made up of industry-leading companies like Cisco, Silicon Labs, Landis + Gyr, and Itron, Its goal is to drive the global proliferation of interoperable wireless solutions for use in smart cities, smart utilities, and other Internet of Things (IoT) applications using open standards. The Wi-SUN Alliance has developed the FAN certification program to certify devices. Through FAN certification, the Wi-SUN Alliance certifies products based on their compliance with a communications profile derived from open standards and their ability to interoperate with other Wi-SUN certified products.

DNSFilter Earns 5-Star Rating in the 2025 CRN® Partner Program Guide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 24, 2025 – DNSFilter, content filtering and protective DNS software, has been honored by CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, with a 5-Star Award in the 2025 CRN Partner Program Guide. This annual guide is an essential resource for solution providers seeking vendor partner programs that match their business goals and deliver high partner value.

The extensive support and resources technology vendors offer through their partner programs are a critical consideration for solution providers assessing which IT vendors, service providers, and distributors to team with in building world-class technology solutions. Program elements such as financial incentives, sales and marketing assistance, training and certification, technical support and more can set vendors apart and play a key role in boosting their partners’ long-term growth and profitability.

The 5-Star Award is an elite recognition given to companies that have built their partner programs on the key elements needed to nurture lasting, profitable, and successful channel partnerships.

For the 2025 Partner Program Guide, the CRN research team evaluated vendors based on program requirements and offerings such as partner training and education, pre- and post-sales support, marketing programs and resources, technical support, and communication.

DNSFilter stands out as a premier cybersecurity solution for partners due to its ease of deployment, robust security coverage, and seamless integrations. DNSFilter delivers AI-driven threat protection and content filtering at the DNS layer, stopping attacks before they reach the network. Its flexible pricing, API integrations, and support for MSPs and MSSPs make it an ideal choice for service providers looking to enhance their security offerings. With over 3,000 MSP customers and blocking 200 million threats daily, DNSFilter provides global security. Designed for non-traditional network setups and remote workforces, it ensures organizations of all sizes and setups can implement fast, reliable, and effective security via the DNS layer.

“Our partners are at the heart of everything we do, and this award is a direct reflection of the trust and collaboration we’ve built together,” said Shawn Brady, Senior Vice President of Sales,“At DNSFilter, we are dedicated to delivering best-in-class support, tools, and opportunities that enable our partners to grow and excel. We are grateful for this recognition and remain committed to raising the bar for excellence in our partner program.”

“Being featured on the 2025 CRN Partner Program Guide highlights the dedication these technology vendors have to evolving with solution providers, driving innovation, and supporting mutual success,” said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content and Executive Editor, CRN, at The Channel Company. “This critical annual project empowers solution providers to identify vendors that are committed to enhancing their partner programs and meeting the always-changing business needs of the channel and end customers. The guide provides deep insight into the distinctive value of each partner program so solution providers can make strategic partnership decisions with confidence.”

The 2025 Partner Program Guide will be featured in the April 2025 issue of CRN and published online at www.CRN.com/PPG beginning March 24, 2025.

About DNSFilter

DNSFilter is redefining how organizations secure their largest threat vector: the Internet itself. DNSFilter is making the Internet safer and workplaces more productive by blocking threats at the DNS layer. DNSFilter resolves upwards of 170 billion daily queries. With 79% of attacks using Domain Name System (DNS), DNSFilter provides the world’s fastest protective DNS powered by AI, blocking threats an average of 10 days faster than traditional threat feeds. Over 35 million users trust DNSFilter to protect them from phishing, malware, and advanced cyber threats.

About The Channel Company:

The Channel Company (TCC) is the global leader in channel growth for the world’s top technology brands. We accelerate success across strategic channels for tech vendors, solution providers, and end users with premier media brands, integrated marketing and event services, strategic consulting, and exclusive market and audience insights. TCC is a portfolio company of investment funds managed by EagleTree Capital, a New York City-based private equity firm. For more information, visit thechannelco.com.

Dave’s Thoughts: Wires and Wireless Over the Ages: A Transformative Journey in Communications

Introduction

In the realm of communication technologies, there are two fundamental physical mediums: wired and wireless communications.

Wired connections, which rely on physical cables and infrastructure, have historically been the dominant medium. In contrast, wireless communications systems have often been seen as a secondary option. However, as technology evolves, the landscape of communications is undergoing a significant transformation.

The Historical Dominance of Wired Communication

For many years, wired communication has been the medium of choice for several key reasons:

  • Speed: Wired connections have traditionally offered faster data rates compared to wireless. This speed has made them the preferred choice for data-intensive applications.
  • Reliability: Wired connections historically have been more reliable. They are generally not susceptible to interference and other environmental factors that can disrupt wireless signals.
  • Longevity: Wired infrastructure tends to have a longer lifespan, often remaining functional for years without significant degradation in performance.

Due to these advantages, financial institutions and other entities (government grants for example) have heavily favored wired solutions, often opting for fiber optics rather than relying on wireless signals transmitted from rooftops.

The Unique Advantage of Wireless

Despite the historical dominance of wired communication, wireless technology boasts a significant advantage: mobility. For applications that required mobility, wireless of course is the answer, but you paid a price. Your connection was typically slower and less reliable. If your application did not need to move – you always went with the wire.

But times they are a’ changing. Mobility is now a prized feature. Even for use cases that were traditionally stationary—such as desktop computers, security cameras—wireless connectivity (e.g., WLAN/WiFi) has become the norm. Today, it’s difficult to find a desktop or laptop PC with an Ethernet port unless you special order it.

And wireless systems are now more sophisticated and robust than ever before. Specifically, today’s wireless systems boast several key advancements:

  • Signal Processing: Innovations in signal processing have enhanced the quality and stability of wireless connections.
  • MIMO Technology: The utilization of Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) technology leverages reflections that were once the bane of wireless signals, significantly improving performance.
  • Cellular Systems: The very concept of cellular systems ensures multiple points of contact for mobile clients, enhancing connectivity.

Now for the first time, wireless connections are not only catching up to wired connections in terms of speed and reliability but are, in some cases, exceeding them. Emerging technologies have facilitated impressive data rates. There are WAN Backhaul Solutions using RF that can support throughput rates of 20 to 40 Gbps.

Free Space Optics connections are at 10 to 20 Gbps speeds and getting faster. Modern WiFi networks can now deliver up to 10 Gbps, shared among multiple clients.

These improvements, combined with the classic advantages of wireless—such as faster and easier deployment—make wireless a more attractive option than ever before.

The Future of Communication

What does the future hold? Wired technology is not disappearing—it remains a foundational medium for communication networks. In the past, if mobility wasn’t required (e.g., for network backbones), wired solutions were always used. However, today, wireless backbones are achieving similar speeds to CATx cables, making them a viable alternative.

Matching the performance of wired infrastructure with a cheaper, faster, and easier-to-deploy wireless backbone is no longer a distant goal—it is a reality.

Customers can take advantage of new capabilities of Wi-SUN FAN 1.1

With over 100 products certified by the Wi-SUN Alliance, Field Area Network 1.0 is a popular networking option for smart utility and smart city use cases. Electric utility metering, distribution automation, and municipal street lighting applications benefit greatly from FAN’s secure, self-forming, self-healing IPv6 wireless mesh networking which is able to support million scale deployments spanning large geographic areas.

Building on the strong foundation laid down by FAN 1.0, the Wi-SUN Alliance recently announced the availability of the first devices certified to support the new feature additions of FAN 1.1. These new FAN 1.1 capabilities include:

  • Low energy device operation (LE). Low power nodes are able to function for up to 20 years on a single battery charge, targeting use cases such as methane detection, water metering, gas metering, and other low power field sensing applications.
  • Higher performance (HP). FAN 1.1 adds Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing radio support, meaning FAN 1.1 now offers data rates from 50 Kbps (FSK) up to 2.4 Mbps (OFDM). The higher data rates are ideal for utility AMI 2.0 and Distribution Automation use cases such as Fault Location Isolation and Restoration (FLISR).
  • Modulations and data rate negotiation (MDR). Mesh neighbors can now negotiate a “gear shift” to transition, for example, a section of a lower speed AMI mesh to a higher throughput mode for DA fault isolation operations.
  • Expanded geographic support. North America, Brazil, Japan, and European Union operation is supported. Extension to additional 800 and 900 MHz regions is now practical.

Figure 1 depicts an example multi-hop FAN 1.1 mesh. The mesh forms automatically between a set of deployed Routers and a Border Router providing WAN connectivity. A Router’s frequency hopping capabilities and ability to determine alternate data paths provide superior resiliency. Routers are further able to “parent” low power nodes.

Figure 1: An Example FAN 1.1 Mesh

The sub-GHz mesh RF links can individually stretch to several kilometers (depending upon local conditions), with multi-hop meshes able to span distances of 10s of kilometers. A single FAN 1.1 mesh can support thousands of Router nodes, each able to parent low power nodes. A classic utility deployment scenario is an electric meters (Router) parenting one or more low power water meters, gas meters, or environmental sensors. Adding additional meshes scales a deployment to millions of nodes.

The Catalyst IR8100 Heavy Duty Series Industrial Router will be the first member of the Cisco Resilient Mesh solution to be FAN 1.1 certified. Given its rugged design for harsh outdoor environments, flexible backhaul configuration, and security capabilities, the IR8140 is an ideal FAN 1.1 Border Router. An individual IR8140 can root a mesh of thousands of FAN 1.1 devices, with millions scale device networks achieved with the deployment of additional IR8140s. Following the IR8140, IR530 Range Extender, and Cisco Resilient Mesh Endpoint SDK will also be scheduled for FAN 1.1 certification, rounding out a complete Cisco FAN 1.1 portfolio of Border Routers, Routers, and endpoint design SDK.

Figure 2: Cisco IR8140 Border Router

Large FAN 1.1 networks require a network management system able to provide lifecycle management for million node networks. Cisco IoT Field Network Director is purpose built, and field proven to manage these large-scale networks.

“Wi-SUN 1.1 provides improved flexibility, security, and adaptive performance to unlock newer markets demanding high performance or low energy use cases in the growing Utility or Smart city landscape. Cisco’s Wi-SUN commitment has been focused on ease of use through simplified Zero Touch Provisioning, resiliency in varying RF conditions, interoperability and network management for endpoints and border routers through industry leading OpenCSMP to enable customers to build production networks with its industry leading solution at scale in a secure manner.” says Lakshmi Narayana Jammi, Sr Product Manager for Cisco IR8140 and Cisco Resilient Mesh SDK

“With the introduction of low power nodes and higher data rates, FAN 1.1 supports many new and exciting use cases. Cisco is well positioned to support this increase in utility and smart city network demand with OpenCSMP and Field Network Director, device and network management solutions that have proven ability to scale to millions of endpoints.” says Clay Stroud, Product Manager for Cisco Field Network Director.

“Wi-SUN FAN1.1 provides highly flexible communications capability allowing both high performance and low energy functionality on the same network, making it the obvious choice for an even broader range of industrial IoT applications such as utilities and smart cities” says Phil Beecher, President and CEO of the Wi-SUN Alliance.  “We’re excited that Cisco will be supporting Wi-SUN FAN 1.1 communications infrastructure with its range of industrial routers, bringing proven reliability, scalability, and security to these critical infrastructure networks. “

For more information about the Wi-SUN Alliance and Field Area Network 1.1, head over to the Wi-SUN FAN information site.

Also see this additional information about Cisco Resilient Mesh products and Cisco Field Network Director.

Finally, if you are attending DISTRIBUTECH 2025, join us at Booth 1223 to see the Catalyst IR8140 and our IoT Field Network Director in person, as well key solutions to help utilities with their grid modernization projects in grid security, substation automation, distribution automation, renewable energy, and more.

As Vietnam regulators are set to open access to 6 GHz spectrum, VNPT is poised to take full advantage with its advanced 10G Fiber Wi-Fi 7 service

 

Key Takeaways:
  • VNPT’s 10G Fiber (XGS-PON) FTTx deployment, combined with multi-Gigabit Wi-Fi 7 connectivity, opens the door to enhanced wireless experiences for bandwidth-intensive applications like streaming, VR and AR. 
  • As Vietnam’s regulators are set to open the 6 GHz spectrum for Wi-Fi, VNPT’s subscribers will benefit from increased capacity and performance with tri-band Wi-Fi 7, enabling more and wider channels to handle higher speeds and lower latency. 
  • Qualcomm Technologies’ cutting-edge XGS-PON and Wi-Fi 7 technology enabled the deployment of the most advanced broadband technology in the country.

VNPT Technology, the innovation arm of VNPT Group, collaborated with Qualcomm Technologies and its Qualcomm Dragonwing NPro 7 Platform to deploy the Vietnam’s first commercial XGS-PON Wi-Fi 7 service in October 2024. This significant milestone allows the company to offer customers unparalleled broadband speeds and reliability, setting a new benchmark in the market.

“Access to Qualcomm Technologies’ XGS-PON and Wi-Fi 7 solutions ensured we deployed their most advanced broadband technology available. Their expertise was invaluable in both planning and execution, which minimized deployment risks and accelerated time-to-market,” said Tran Huu Quyen, Chairman of VNPT Technology, in an interview with OnQ.

VNPT’s embrace of Wi-Fi 7 comes at the perfect time, as Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications amended its regulation to allow Wi-Fi to operate in the 6 GHz band. With a projected launch planned for Q3 2025, the country will allocate 500 MHz of spectrum in that band, enabling Wi-Fi 7 to achieve its full potential with ultra-wide 320 MHz channels.

Thanks to its recent upgrade, VNPT is already set to offer these services to its customers. Tran discusses how the collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies positioned VNPT to provide state-of-the-art connectivity to meet Vietnam’s growing digital demands.

 

VNPT Technology’s digital mission

VNPT Group, short for Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group, is Vietnam’s largest telecom company and owned by the country’s Ministry of Finance. VNPT Technology was founded in 2011 as a center for research and development built on a foundation formed from a 30-year joint venture between VNPT Group.

The company has produced 18 million VNPT-branded products and 16 million ODM products around the world and focuses on everything from smart city solutions to creating an integrated digital ecosystem. That’s why when it came time to upgrade VNPT’s broadband infrastructure, the task fell to VNPT Technology.

 

New network benefits

The adoption of Qualcomm Technologies’ 10G Fiber Wi-Fi 7 networking platform has significantly upgraded its broadband infrastructure, allowing it to deliver peak speeds of up to 10 Gbps and enhanced in-home wireless experiences. The result has been low latency, high reliability, and virtually seamless connectivity, even in environments with dense device usage.

VNPT customers have been vocal about the upgrade. “The early market response has been overwhelmingly positive, with customers praising the dramatic performance improvements,” Tran said, adding that businesses have touted their success in supporting remote work and cloud applications.

Integration of Wi-Fi 7 means higher wireless speeds at home and businesses, which allow for bandwidth-intensive applications such as 8K video streaming, augmented and virtual reality and more Internet of Things devices.

About VNPT Technology

Impact: VNPT Technology is the innovation arm of Vietnamese telecom giant VNPT group focused on driving new technology and industrial products.

Founded: 2011

HQ: Hanoi, Vietnam

Solutions: Qualcomm Dragonwing NPro 7 Platform for the country’s first 10G Fiber network.

Website: https://vnpt-technology.vn/

“This transformation has strengthened our network’s ability to meet the demands of modern digital lifestyles.”

Tran Huu QuyenChairman of VNPT Technology

Qualcomm Technologies’ expertise

Tran praised Qualcomm Technologies’ “pivotal role” in the deployment, noting that our expertise in networking technology was critical in helping VNPT Technology optimize the solutions in the telecom company’s devices.

He added that Qualcomm Technologies provided valuable insights into market trends and best practices, providing strategic guidance allowing his company to design products that meet both the current and future needs of its customers.

Beyond technical assistance, Qualcomm Technologies also helped support Vietnam’s regulatory efforts to open the 6 GHz band for unlicensed use, which allowed the adoption of Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6E. Our expertise in spectrum management and international regulatory discussions were key in helping Vietnam set policies that aligned with global standards to support next-generation Wi-Fi technologies.

 

Looking Ahead

The 10G Fiber network and the massive increase in bandwidth opens the door to various IoT and smart solutions that VNPT plans to deliver to its customers. Tran said VNPT Technology is also exploring different cloud and edge technologies to deliver low-latency, high-performance services to enterprises and consumers.

“This milestone positions VNPT as a pioneer in delivering next-generation broadband services, setting new standards for speed, reliability and user experience in the Vietnamese market,” Tran said.

Beyond the XGS-PON Wi-Fi 7 deployment, Tran said he is exploring new frontiers such as AI-driven network management and 6G technologies.

As tenant expectations continue to soar, multi-dwelling unit (MDU) owners and managers must meet the growing demands of the market. This requires the best product from Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and vendors to succeed and win competitive bids. This article explains how RUCKUS One®, utilizing RUCKUS DPSK3 and RUCKUS AI, stands out as the all-in-one network solution for MDU environments. It offers a unified platform that meets all the needs of a Managed Service Provider (MSP) to deliver a Managed Wi-Fi Solution across all bands, including 6 GHz. The article showcases the ability to integrate various network components and support complex network requirements using best-in-class Wi-Fi at an affordable price per door.

RUCKUS One® “The All-in-One Managed Wi-Fi® Solution for MDU”

 

Wi-Fi as the “Fourth Utility”

Internet connectivity through Wi-Fi has become the “fourth utility.” Reliable internet access is now as essential to daily life as traditional utilities like electricity, water, and gas. This is perhaps the main reason why Real Estate Developers have chosen the pre-installed nature of “Managed Wi-Fi solutions” using Network Segmentation over the conventional physical residential gateway per unit, where each resident or tenant must wait for the next available truck roll, which can sometimes take weeks. People today want and expect reliable, high-performance Internet connectivity ready on Day One.

What is the Managed Wi-Fi Solution?

Managed Wi-Fi in a multi-dwelling units (MDU) property typically involves a Managed Service Provider (MSP) overseeing the deployment and operation of Wi-Fi services, with costs included in the association fees paid by unit owners or tenants’ rent. The provider strategically plans and installs access points for optimal coverage, based on a comprehensive professional design, reducing interference and ensuring consistent Wi-Fi access throughout the complex. This reliable infrastructure not only attracts and retains tenants but also supports ‘Smart Home’ solutions and enhances facility management efficiencies, offering tangible business benefits.

Benefits of reliable, high-performance managed Wi-Fi across the property for MDUs

  • Differentiate properties in a competitive market by appealing to tech-savvy residents who demand fast Wi-Fi service everywhere.
  • Boost tenant renewals, as satisfied tenants are more likely to renew their leases.
  • Provide new wireless Smart Home and business services, including IoT applications like keyless entry, sensors, employee and asset location, analytics, and more.
  • Enhance technology capabilities without hassle through centrally managed Wi-Fi services delivered by wireless experts who can proactively prevent problems.
  • Simplify wireless service management with multiple control options available in the cloud or on-premises.
  • Attract future tenants more effectively, as guests experiencing excellent Wi-Fi are more likely to consider the property for their next home.

Managed Wi-Fi solutions often leverage network segmentation to enhance security, performance, and management efficiency.

What is Network Segmentation?

Network segmentation entails breaking down a network into smaller subnetworks, effectively isolating users’ end devices from each other to improve IT security and user experience. Devices are placed into separate virtual networks, preventing threats to enter the network from moving laterally across segments to other devices. This approach is particularly effective for MDU, such as apartment buildings, college dormitories, senior living facilities, or anywhere residents live communally. The cornerstone of Wi-Fi network segmentation is per-user/per-device PSKs.

What is per-user/per-device PSKs?

Per-user/per-device PSKs (Pre-Shared Keys) are proprietary PSKs solutions, designed to address the vulnerabilities associated with traditional PSK authentication, particularly in environments like MDU. The primary concern with using a single PSK for all devices on a WLAN is the vulnerability to social engineering. If the PSK is shared, whether inadvertently or deliberately, with unauthorized individuals, it jeopardizes the security of the entire WLAN.

Per-user/per-device PSKs offer a solution by assigning a unique PSK to each device or user. This means that each device uses its own unique PSK for connecting to the WLAN, and the MAC address or multiple MAC addresses (due to MAC randomization) of each device are mapped to a unique personal passphrase. These individual PSKs can be created dynamically or manually and are tied to a single SSID. This approach provides unique identity credentials for each device while keeping the simplicity of using a single SSID, enhancing security by isolating each device’s access credentials.

Benefits of the per-user per-device PSKs

  • Enhance security by preventing decryption of unicast traffic
  • Eliminates the management burden when a passphrase must be changed due to an individual leaving the Property/Company
  • Allows granular, user-specific control of network privileges.
  • Provide enhanced accounting functionality.
  • Transparent for the client devices, acting as a regular PSK network on their side

The RUCKUS patented per-user per-device PSK Solution: Dynamic PSK™

Dynamic PSK is a CommScope-patented technology that enhances network security by providing unique encryption keys for each user or device connecting to the RUCKUS network. Users can obtain their unique Wi-Fi passwords either through self-service or from an IT administrator, making the connection process intuitive and like home network setups. Unlike conventional PSKs, the Dynamic PSK solution allows administrators to define access policies and revoke access for individual users without affecting others. Wireless traffic is encrypted using WPA2™-Personal or WPA3™-SAE, optimizing a robust network and data security. The Dynamic PSK solution is a key part for RUCKUS Network Segmentation.

Breaking Barriers: The RUCKUS Innovation for 6 GHz WPA3 Challenges

When the 6 GHz band was opened for unlicensed use in April 2020, the Wi-Fi Alliance mandated Wi-Fi Protected Access® 3 (WPA3) and Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE) as the standards for Wi-Fi security for all Wi-Fi 6E devices and any future devices using the greenfield 6 GHz band. This posed a challenge for per-user, per-device PSKs implementations, as WPA3-SAE inherently prevents the use of multiple keys, eliminating the possibility of reverse-engineering the passphrase used in traditional Dynamic PSK and other vendor solutions.

However, there’s no need to be disheartened. Initially, there was no per-user per-device PSK solution for 6 GHz (WPA3-SAE mandatory), but in early 2023, RUCKUS introduced a groundbreaking innovation. The magic unfolds as the “RUCKUS Team” turns the impossible dream into reality with per-user, per-device PSKs on the 6 GHz band. After rigorous testing by the Development and Quality Assurance Teams, RUCKUS released the patented “Dynamic SAE (DSAE) or DPSK3.” This innovation made per-user, per-device PSKs possible in the 6 GHz band using WPA3-SAE, positioning RUCKUS as the first vendor in the industry to offer a multiple password solution on the new 6 GHz band without RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service). RUCKUS DPSK3 extends the successful Dynamic PSK technology to support WPA3, delivering all the benefits of the Dynamic PSK solution while keeping robust WPA3 security.

Key Advantages of Network Segmentation through DPSK3

  • 6 GHz Band Compatible: The 6 GHz frequency addition marks the largest expansion of Wi-Fi spectrum ever, with 59 more channels, enabling a dramatic increase in bandwidth and reduction of latency. DPSK3 is fully compatible with the 6 GHz band.
  • RUCKUS One Single Network Platform: Deploying DPSK3 within the RUCKUS One solution, alongside Property Management/Residential Portal, Identity Groups, and Adaptive Policy features, eliminates the need for third-party captive portals or advanced gateways. This makes DPSK3 in the RUCKUS One solution an affordable, optimal, and feature-rich solution for MDU, Higher Education Dorms, Hospitality, and other verticals.
  • Clean Radio Frequency (RF) Air Space: A single SSID deployment throughout the property, using RUCKUS One AI RRM (Radio Resource Management through Artificial Intelligence), minimizes Co-Channel Interference (CCI), known as “the Wi-Fi Killer”. This creates a cleaner RF environment compared to the conventional “one standalone Wi-Fi router per unit” setup, where frequency coordination is impossible, substantially increasing CCI.
  • Universal Coverage Throughout the Property: Residents/Tenants can access their private LAN using the same SSID from anywhere, in their unit, the Common Areas or any other space covered by the Wi-Fi Signal. Basically, their own private LAN follows them around the property, creating a ubiquitous network connection.
  • Enhanced Network Security: By segmenting the network, any malware or breach in one segment of the network can be contained to that smaller network segment, making it more difficult to spread horizontally throughout the entire network. In the animation below the malware is confined to the specific microsegment/VLAN, affecting only one customer, and preventing horizontal propagation to other network segments.

MDU-Managed-Wi-Fi-blog-2025

  • Defeats MAC Randomization (Private MAC Address): With RUCKUS Dynamic PSK and DPSK3 solutions, segmentation is achieved through the uniqueness of the password, independent of the MAC address. This means that even if a device uses multiple randomized MAC addresses, it will consistently use the same password. As a result, all those MAC addresses will be added to its private LAN, enabling seamless connectivity and optimizing security.
  • Property Management can revoke access at any time without impacting others: Conventional PSKs involve shared Wi-Fi passwords, making it challenging to revoke access for an individual without affecting everyone else. In contrast, with RUCKUS Dynamic PSK and DPSK3 solutions, access can be individually managed. If a resident sells their unit or a tenant’s lease expires, access can be revoked through the Resident Portal or by Property Management. Additionally, Customer Service, the Network Operation Center (NOC) for ISPs, or any Network Administrator with proper privileges can manage access rights effectively.
  • Private Network for each Tenant: The benefits of this Private LAN architecture include:
    • All devices belonging to a single tenant can communicate with each other, while preventing access to other tenants’ devices.
    • Residents or tenants can only view their own traffic when using packet sniffers like tcpdump or Wireshark, ensuring they cannot intercept others’ traffic.
    • Congestion is reduced by limiting unnecessary traffic flow between segments.
  • Unique Public IP per Tenant: Each private network can be linked to a unique public IP address, granting tenants control over their inbound and outbound connectivity, benefits include:
    • The unique public address typically helps Service Providers comply with CALEA (Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act) non-repudiation requirements, enabling the origin and the integrity of data to be verified.
    • Devices that rely on Universal Plug and Play (UPnP), such as game consoles, can function properly without any effort from the tenant or operator.
    • Applications that depend on broadcast and multicast-based protocols, such as multicast Domain Name System (mDNS), function properly.

Network Segmentation with DPSK3 Proof of Concept (POC) for a Partner

The purpose of this POC Lab was to deliver a “Single Pane of Glass” Managed Wi-Fi Solution on 6 GHz to a long-standing ISP/MDU Partner. This partner successfully implemented Network Segmentation using the RUCKUS Dynamic PSK solution across multiple properties, including MDUs, hotels, and university environments. However, as mentioned, with the introduction of 6 GHz and the requirement for WPA3, the Dynamic PSK solution was challenged, but the RUCKUS Team embraced this challenge and developed the DPSK3 solution.

Now, the partner’s requirements were not just about network security, they also needed an affordable and easy to deploy solution. Typically, with most vendors, achieving all three is difficult, often resulting in a compromise of one or two of the three. To provide a Wi-Fi network that is both reasonably secure and easy to deploy, customers often need to invest in expensive advanced gateways and/or costly RADIUS servers, increasing CapEx and reducing competitiveness. Alternatively, opting for a cheaper solution typically compromises security and performance. However, the RUCKUS solution offers partners all three benefits: security, affordability, and ease of deployment, along with RUCKUS’s unmatched RF performance. Configuration can be automated using the template capabilities built into the RUCKUS One solution, facilitating “cookie-cutter” future deployments.

Requirement added per Partner Feature Request

In addition to the above requirements, the partner, being an ISP, needed different Bandwidth Service Tier levels per user, such as:

  1. Bulk Service: Bandwidth Down = 100 Mbps, Bandwidth Up = 100 Mbps
  2. Silver Service: Bandwidth Down = 500 Mbps, Bandwidth Up = 500 Mbps
  3. Gold Service: Bandwidth Down = 1000 Mbps, Bandwidth Up = 1000 Mbps

The RUCKUS Engineering and Development Team returned to the drawing board and undertook significant coding efforts to provide the Partner with the requested Rate Limiting option. At that point, the RUCKUS One solution became the single, cloud-based platform to manage all network components across all properties; enabling the partner to monitor, configure, and optimize networks remotely using the following features:

ruckus-one-2025-blog

Main RUCKUS One Solution Features

Centralized and Automated Management

The RUCKUS One solution provides a single, unified platform for managing both wired and wireless networks, with automation tools for configuration, updates, and monitoring to enhance efficiency and reduce manual workload.

AI-Driven Analytics and Security

The platform leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for real-time network analytics, predictive maintenance, and robust security features, including intrusion detection and automated updates, to proactively manage and secure network performance.

Scalability and Remote Capabilities

Designed to scale with organizational growth, the RUCKUS One solution supports remote monitoring and management, allowing for efficient network optimization and bandwidth management across all properties.

Specific RUCKUS One Solution Features

Network Segmentation through DPSK3 Service on 6 GHz

The animation below illustrates the customer’s mobile phone in UNIT 104, initially connected on 6 GHz within their unit, roaming to different APs and bands, eventually reaching the pool area and going back to 6 GHz. Throughout this process, the device remains connected to its own private VLAN704. (Note: Hopefully, the phone is indeed water-resistant—just a lighthearted remark!)

microsegmentation-2025-blog

Property Management

Enables the creation of an unlimited number of units for the MDU. For example, the system can accommodate a property with 500 units/ identities.

5-property-mangaement-2025-blog

Residential Portal

The RUCKUS Resident Portal feature provides a user-friendly interface for managing network access in MDU. It allows property managers to create and manage multiple units, offering residents seamless connectivity and secure access to the network. The portal supports self-service options for residents to obtain, change/reset unique Wi-Fi credentials and control devices connected to their private network.

6 Resident Portal

Adaptive Policy

Rate Limiting based on RADIUS Attributes for the different Tiers Services (Bulk: 100×100, Silver 500×500, Gold:1000×1000).

7 Adaptive Policy

“Matrix Like” Role Base Access Control (RBAC) for their different management Tiers

NOC, Engineering and others

8 Matrix like Role Base Access Control

Wi-Fi Calling

Facilitates cell phone calling in areas with low or no cellular signal.

Hotspot 2.0

This feature was a requirement from the MDU developers, enabling their users to automatically connect to Wi-Fi across multiple properties and roam seamlessly through OpenRoaming™.

The All-in-One Solution for MDU Network Management: RUCKUS One

RUCKUS DPSK3, when deployed within the RUCKUS One solution, emerges as the most versatile and comprehensive solution for MDU environments. It provides a single platform that fulfills all the requirements a Managed Service Provider (MSP) needs to offer a Managed Wi-Fi Solution on all bands, including 6 GHz. All the features discussed in this publication are integrated into the RUCKUS One solution, serving as a single pane of glass to monitor, manage, and control Access Points, Switches, RUCKUS Edge™, Property Units, Residential Portals, and Policies for Rate Limiting, Service Scheduling, and more. Additionally, it offers RUCKUS AI RRM, Analytics, and Reports, with upcoming support for features like PON (Passive Optical Networks) management and IoT integration.

9 R1 All-in-one

© 2025 CommScope, LLC.  All rights reserved.  CommScope and the CommScope logo are registered trademarks of CommScope and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries.  For additional trademark information see https://www.commscope.com/trademarks.  Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6E, WPA2, WPA3 and Wi-Fi Protected Access are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. OpenRoaming is a trademark of the Wireless Broadband Alliance. All product names, trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. 

GoZone WiFi and Qfactor Airport Advertising partner to transform airport ads with Ads4WiFi, boosting ad revenues and offering seamless Wi-Fi user engagement.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, UNITED STATES, March 18, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — St. Petersburg, FL and Greenville, WI – March 18, 2025 – GoZone WiFi, the leading provider of Wi-Fi marketing solutions, and Qfactor Airport Advertising, a premier airport advertising company, are excited to announce a strategic partnership aimed at transforming the airport advertising landscape. This collaboration will enable airports to drive additional ad revenues through the innovative Ads4WiFi marketplace, powered by GoZone.

The Ads4WiFi marketplace offers advertisers a seamless way to reach engaged Wi-Fi users as they navigate through airports. Historically, the Wi-Fi advertising space has been fragmented and fraught with technical challenges. However, GoZone’s extensive integrations with over 40 different types of Wi-Fi hardware eliminate the need for airports to invest in additional hardware or software. This integration ensures a smooth and efficient implementation process, allowing airport IT teams to focus on maintaining optimal network performance.

Todd Myers, CEO of GoZone WiFi, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “This is a great way for Qfactor to offer a value-added revenue stream in addition to their other in-terminal advertising channels. Our collaboration will provide advertisers with a unique opportunity to connect with travelers in a highly targeted and impactful manner.”

Kim Sippola, President of Qfactor Airport Advertising, added, “Partnering with GoZone allows us to enhance our digital advertising offerings and provide airports with a cutting-edge solution to maximize their ad revenues. We are thrilled to bring this innovative platform to our clients and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on airport advertising.”

By leveraging the Ads4WiFi marketplace, airports can now offer advertisers a powerful platform to showcase their brands to a captive audience of Wi-Fi users. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the evolution of airport advertising, providing a streamlined and effective solution for both advertisers and airports alike.

For more information about the Ads4WiFi marketplace and the partnership between GoZone and Qfactor Airport Advertising, please visit www.ads4wifi.com/venues/airports.

As we closed out 2024 in preparation for what’s shaping up to be a busy 2025, LitePoint joined a group of wireless technology experts for RCR Wireless News’ annual “State of Wi-Fi” webinar. Hosted by managing editor, Catherine Sbeglia Nin, and featuring industry colleagues from Cisco, Spirent and the Wi-Fi Alliance, the webinar explored technical considerations influencing Wi-Fi 7 adoption, including wireless test from R&D to commercial deployment.

The Wi-Fi 7 certification program was introduced in January 2024 by the Wi-Fi Alliance, indicating the technology was ready for mass market adoption. Wi-Fi 7 was expected to account for about six percent of the more than four billion Wi-Fi devices projected to ship worldwide last year, but by 2028, forecasts indicate it could represent nearly half of the market.

In large part, adoption rates will surge because Wi-Fi 7 has a number of features that distinguish it from Wi-Fi 6/6E. These include the doubling of channel bandwidth from 160MHz to 320MHz, higher speed thanks to support for 4K (4096) QAM modulation, and perhaps most importantly, the introduction of multi-link operation (MLO).

 

 

Unlike Wi-Fi 6/6E, which can only access a single frequency band at a time, MLO allows for simultaneous use and aggregation of different bands. This means that regions with access to the 6GHz band can use different channels within the same band or aggregate any combination of 2.4, 5 and 6GHz. Regions that do not use the 6GHz band will still benefit, because they can aggregate different channels within the 2.4 and 5GHz frequency bands to achieve higher throughput or reliability. That flexibility paves the way for Wi-Fi 7 to support immersive digital functions such as augmented and virtual reality, in addition to higher-resolution video streaming and the expanded network capacity required by IoT devices.

Accelerate Wi-Fi 7 Deployment Through Pre-Certification

Our customers use LitePoint’s scalable test solutions across the entire Wi-Fi development ecosystem, from reference designs, characterization and validation to volume manufacturing.

As we move from the Wi-Fi 7 R&D tooling cycle into commercial ramp-up, customers should be incorporating access-point pre-certification into their test strategies. Pre-certification testing ensures compliance with regulatory standards and interoperability requirements for smooth integration into the ecosystem to enhance spectrum utilization, power transmission flexibility and expanded range.

 

 

Pre-certification also protects incumbents in the 6GHz band by ensuring brands and their OEM and ODM partners adhere to FCC and other regulatory standards. This is especially important in the 6GHz band, which is host to many point-to-point microwave links used for essential infrastructure needs by firefighters, emergency medical responders, gas and water utilities and other public safety and law enforcement officials, as well as live news feeds that use broadband and satellite links.

FCC and Wi-Fi Alliance Create Access Point Test Beds

The FCC formulated transmit-power rules as a management tool by classifying Wi-Fi 7 access points according to low power, very low power and standard-power outdoor devices. This guideline for access points operating in the 6GHz spectrum includes automated frequency coordination (AFC) to avoid signal transmission on channels, or at power levels, that could interfere with incumbent services.

From an RF or physical layer perspective, this may sound simple. However, given the implications at the application level, the ability of a Wi-Fi access point to transmit at maximum power is significant. This is so, because power levels affect how efficiently the spectrum in use can extend transmission range and improve signal-to-noise ratio performance – both of which are critical for enabling dense modulation schemes and supporting advanced use cases.

To track compliance, the FCC and government bodies, in addition to the Wi Fi Alliance, have developed their own Wi-Fi 7 pre-certification test beds, which help devices align with FCC rules for Maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) based on the bandwidth in use. LitePoint supports this effort through our IQsniffer software test tool. The IQsniffer, which is pre-integrated into the Wi-Fi Alliance AFC test harness, precisely detects the signal from the standard outdoor power access point and measures power spectral density to ensure the Wi-Fi device is operating within power emission limits.

Managing Wi-Fi 7 Production Economics

As with every advancement, device bill of materials (BOM) costs tend to rise until the technology achieves an economy of scale. With Wi-Fi 7 still in its early adoption stage, per-unit device costs are higher and compounded by other expenses, ranging from R&D costs to marketing spend. One way to manage BOM costs is to use existing capital equipment, an installed hardware base that is scalable to support parallel testing of multiple devices and a user-friendly software test tool like IQfact+ that simplifies test automation.

Manufacturers are always eager to optimize equipment throughput and production efficiency, and we’ve found that a multi-device test environment has helped customers manage cost, complexity, quality – and yields – across previous Wi-Fi generations throughout pilot runs and into volume manufacturing.

With consumers looking for Wi-Fi 7 to provide a gateway to a better user experience, brands and manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to meet expectations. A comprehensive test strategy and simplified, automated tools chart a direct path to maximize tester resources, increase production efficiency, reduce test costs and accelerate time-to-market.

As the IoT continues to transform industries, design decisions around wireless connectivity components become increasingly complex. Engineers often face the dilemma of choosing between ICs and wireless modules for their IoT applications. Both options offer unique benefits and trade-offs, impacting factors such as design complexity, cost, scalability, and time to market. This blog explores the technical considerations and challenges associated with each, drawing insights from Silicon Labs’ expertise in wireless solutions. We’ll provide a technical comparison between ICs and modules, highlighting the key differences, benefits, and hidden costs associated with each approach.

Understanding ICs and Modules

An IC (SoC) is a semiconductor device that contains a processor, memory, and other functional elements on a single chip. Engineers designing with ICs must develop a supporting PCB, including antenna design, RF matching, power management, and other components.

A module, on the other hand, is a pre-integrated system that includes an IC along with all necessary supporting components, such as RF-pin/built-in antenna, EMC shielding, power supply filtering, RF matching components, antenna components, and worldwide regulatory certifications. Modules are designed to minimize the hardware environment required to implement a complete solution, reducing design complexity and certification efforts.

Design and Development Considerations for ICs and Modules

RF Design Complexity

  • IC: RF engineers must meticulously design and optimize antenna layouts, PCB trace lengths, and matching networks. Even slight variations in layout can degrade signal performance, requiring extensive debugging.
  • Module: Pre-optimized RF design eliminates the need for complex antenna placement and matching, reducing development time and effort.

Certification and Compliance

  • IC: Products using SoCs require separate regulatory approvals for each target market (FCC, CE, etc.), which can be costly and time-consuming.
  • Module: Modules come with pre-certified regulatory approvals, significantly reducing certification costs and risks.

Time to Market

  • IC: The complexity of RF design and certification can delay product launches by 3-6 months.
  • Module: Faster development cycles enable quicker market entry, a crucial advantage for competitive industries.

Cost Analysis

  • IC: Lower initial component costs, but higher design and certification expenses. Suitable for large-scale production where economies of scale justify the investment.
  • Module: Higher per-unit costs, but reduced design and development expenses. Ideal for low to medium production volumes.

Hidden Costs of IC Design

As highlighted in the Silicon Labs whitepaper, “Six Hidden Costs in a Wireless SoC Design,” designing with SoCs introduces hidden costs that are often overlooked:

  • RF Expertise: Hiring specialized RF engineers can cost $100,000 to $200,000 annually.
  • Lab Equipment: Spectrum analyzers, anechoic chambers, and other RF test equipment can cost up to $50,000.
  • PCB Layout: Achieving optimal antenna performance requires iterative PCB design and manufacturing cycles.
  • Certification Costs: Regulatory testing for SoCs can exceed $50,000 over a five-year period.

SiP (System-in-Package) vs PCB Modules

When considering ICs and modules, another factor is the form factor used.

SiP Modules

System-in-Package (SiP) modules integrate multiple components into a single package, offering a compact solution with optimized RF performance with smaller size (<12mm x 12mm), pre-integrated components, advanced packaging techniques (e.g., stacked memory), optimized for high-performance applications and requires careful thermal and mechanical design.

PCB Modules

PCB modules consist of a carrier board with components mounted separately. They offer easier development and in-house prototyping, more flexible design changes, easier second sourcing, and generally larger size (>10mm x 10mm).

SiP Modules for Miniaturized IoT Designs

Silicon Labs’ System-in-Package (SiP) modules, such as the BGM220S, exemplify the benefits of module-based design. These modules feature integrated RF components and shielding, offering superior size and performance optimization for space-constrained applications like wearables and smart sensors. With a compact 6.5 mm x 6.5 mm footprint, SiP modules reduce PCB real estate while ensuring robust RF performance.

When to Choose IC vs Module

ICs are ideal when:

  • High production volumes justify the upfront design and certification costs.
  • The design team has access to RF expertise and advanced lab facilities.
  • Custom RF optimization is critical for the application.

Modules are preferable when:

  • Rapid time to market is essential.
  • Regulatory certification costs need to be minimized.
  • The application requires a compact and standardized design.

A Balanced Approach

The decision between IC and module depends on specific project requirements, resources, and business goals. Silicon Labs’ ability to provide both solutions ensures that customers can seamlessly transition from modules to SoCs as their production volumes and design capabilities evolve. By partnering with a single supplier, companies can protect their software investment and optimize their IoT designs for long-term success.