WiFi 7 IoT Device Aims for Low-Power Tri-Radio Connectivity

Infineon Technologies has introduced a groundbreaking tri-radio connectivity chip designed for battery-powered and space-constrained connected devices. The ACW741x family combines Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth LE 6.0, and IEEE 802.15.4 Thread in a single package, catering to IoT designs in home, commercial, and industrial settings.

Engineers at eeNews Europe focusing on multi-protocol edge nodes see this announcement as a significant development in the evolution of Wi-Fi 7 IoT device categories. The integration of these technologies addresses power and spectrum limitations, especially as Wi-Fi Alliance certification expands to encompass 20 MHz-only devices.

20 MHz Wi-Fi 7 IoT Device for Congested Environments

Central to this launch is the support for the emerging 20 MHz-only category within Wi-Fi 7. The ACW741x stands out as the first Wi-Fi 7 IoT device optimized for 20 MHz operation, signaling a transition from high-throughput consumer applications to low-power, reliable IoT connections.

This device facilitates Wi-Fi 7 Multi-Link operation across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands, enabling adaptive band switching to address congestion and interference challenges. This feature is crucial as the number of connected devices continues to rise in densely populated residential and commercial environments.

“We are dedicated to connecting all types of IoT devices by providing high-performance, low-power solutions that are easy to integrate,” stated Sivaram Trikutam, Senior Vice President of Wireless Products at Infineon Technologies. “With the growing trend of multi-protocol usage in devices, our integrated tri-band single-chip device, featuring the industry’s lowest Wi-Fi standby power, enables suppliers to deliver reliable performance in increasingly congested smart-home and commercial environments.”

Infineon emphasizes that the Wi-Fi 7 IoT device is optimized for ultra-low connected standby power, making it suitable for battery-powered applications like door locks, cameras, and thermostats. The company claims a standby power consumption that is up to 15 times lower than other IoT Wi-Fi products, potentially extending battery life in always-connected scenarios.

Multi-Protocol Integration and Ecosystem Support

Besides Wi-Fi, the ACW741x integrates Bluetooth LE 6.0 with Channel Sounding and IEEE 802.15.4 for Thread, with support for the Matter ecosystem. This level of integration meets the rising demand for multi-protocol designs, particularly in smart home and building automation systems.

Wireless sensing capabilities are included through Wi-Fi Channel State Information, aligned with 802.11bf, and Bluetooth Channel Sounding for centimeter-level ranging. These features could enable contextual awareness and location-based services in both consumer and industrial IoT nodes.

Kevin Robinson, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, highlighted the benefits of Wi-Fi 7 in improving the behavior, efficiency, and robustness of IoT devices in dense environments. He mentioned that the recent extension of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 7 capabilities to 20 MHz-only devices will drive Wi-Fi 7 adoption across various IoT applications, from smart homes to industrial and healthcare settings.

The ACW741x family is currently in the sampling phase, with development kits already available. Infineon is collaborating with module partners such as Azurewave, Ezurio, Murata, and Quectel to facilitate integration into ready-to-use wireless modules.