Expanding Connectivity With High-Output Power Wireless Modules
Reliable wireless starts with transmission power. This blog post breaks down Tx power fundamentals and shows how our WBZ451HPE and WBZ451HUE modules deliver extended range, better obstacle penetration and dependable connectivity.
Much like our universe, the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand, making seamless and reliable connectivity more important than ever. Across applications, from smart homes and buildings to industrial automation, end-users expect IoT solutions to do more with fewer issues.
Delivering on customer expectations can be challenging, especially in extreme conditions. Ensuring dependable connectivity in environments filled with interference or physical obstacles requires more than just robust protocols—it demands optimized transmission power.
Our WBZ451HPE and WBZ451HUE modules offer high transmit power of up to +20 dBm to enhance the overall performance of wireless in all types of scenarios. Let’s explore how this power boost solves common connectivity challenges.
What Is Tx Power and Why Does +20 dBm Matter?
Transmission Power (Tx power) is a key factor in wireless performance. It represents the amount of power a device uses to send signals, measured in decibels relative to one milliwatt (dBm). Increasing Tx power enables signals to travel farther and penetrate obstacles more effectively, which translates to better range and more reliable connectivity.
Advantages of +20 dBm Tx Power in Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) and 802.15.4 Mesh Network Applications
Imagine deploying automation across a busy factory floor or connecting smart devices throughout a multi-story building. With the WBZ451HPE and WBZ451HUE, you don’t have to worry about signal dropouts or interference. These modules are engineered to cut through physical barriers and noisy RF environments, allowing your devices to stay connected when it matters most.
- Extended Range for Large-Scale Deployments
Higher Tx power ensures reliable communication over greater distances, making it invaluable in large, complex environments.
Applications:
- Industrial Automation: In expansive manufacturing facilities, sensors, controllers and actuators need to communicate long distances despite machinery and metal structures
- Smart Agriculture: In agricultural environments, sensors and monitoring devices are often spread across expansive fields. Increased transmission power ensures reliable data transfer over long distances, facilitating effective crop monitoring and management.
- Enhanced Signal Penetration Through Physical Barriers
Wireless signals often encounter walls, floors and other obstacles in various environments. Higher Tx power effectively mitigates the signal attenuation, ensuring strong and reliable signal coverage.
Applications:
- Smart Buildings: Smart devices such as smart thermostats, security cameras and lighting systems are frequently distributed across different rooms and floors. With +20 dBm Tx power, signals can easily penetrate walls and floors, maintaining seamless connectivity throughout the building.
- Healthcare: In healthcare environments filled with electronic devices and physical barriers, reliable communication between medical devices and monitoring systems is crucial. Increased Tx power helps maintain stable connections even in the presence of interference.
- Enhanced Interference Immunity for Industrial and IoT Applications
Wireless communication systems often operate in environments with significant interference from other wireless devices and electronic equipment. Increasing Tx power improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), enhancing signal resilience and ensuring reliable communication even in challenging conditions.
Applications:
- Industrial Automation: Industrial environments often face interference from heavy machinery and electronic equipment, which can degrade wireless communication. +20 dBm of Tx power helps maintain a strong signal, reducing the impact of interference and ensuring stable operation.
- Remote Monitoring Systems: In remote monitoring applications, devices frequently encounter high levels of RF noise. Elevated transmission power helps enhance signal reliability, enabling uninterrupted communication even in noisy environments.
- Increased Data Throughput for Data-Intensive Applications
Higher transmission power plays a crucial role in boosting data throughput. By maintaining a strong and reliable signal, devices can transmit data at higher rates with fewer retransmissions, leading to more efficient seamless communication.
Applications:
- Smart Cities: Traffic sensors, environmental monitors and public safety systems in smart city environments require reliable data transmission to support large-scale operations. +20 dBm Tx power ensures efficient data transfer, supporting the high data throughput demands of smart city infrastructure.
- IoT Devices: Many IoT applications involve continuous or periodic data transmission. Higher transmission power helps maintain stable and accurate communication, ensuring efficient data transfer across interconnected devices.
Balancing Tx Power and Power Consumption
While +20 dBm Tx power offers numerous benefits, it is essential to balance Tx power with power consumption, especially in battery-powered devices. Higher Tx power can lead to increased power consumption, which may reduce the operational life of battery-powered devices. However, advancements in power management techniques and energy-efficient hardware are helping to mitigate this issue, enabling devices to achieve higher Tx power without compromising battery life.
Enhancing Wireless Connectivity With WBZ451HPE and WBZ451HUE
Recognizing the need, we’ve released two versatile modules, the WBZ451HPE and WBZ451HUE, that are designed to provide extended range and superior performance, even in environments with significant interference or physical barriers.
Key Features
- High Transmit Power: Up to +20 dBm transmit power provides strong, reliable wireless connections, even in high-interference environments
Why It Matters: Achieve better coverage and improved signal strength in challenging conditions
- Integrated PCB Antenna (WBZ451HPE): Features an integrated PCB antenna, offering a cost-effective solution for end products
Good For: Developers looking for solutions that reduce development time and cost
- Flexible Antenna Options (WBZ451HUE): Supports external antenna integration, allowing you to customize solutions for unique product needs
Best For: Products that demand higher performance or unique antenna configurations
Conclusion
The WBZ451HPE and WBZ451HUE modules, along with the WBZ451HPE Curiosity Board, provide developers with the tools they need to create innovative wireless solutions. With their +20 dBm Tx power, robust connectivity options and modular development platform, these solutions are well-suited to tackle the most demanding applications in industrial automation, smart homes, healthcare, IoT and beyond.
Explore the possibilities with our PIC32CX-BZ and WBZ multiprotocol, wireless microcontrollers and unlock connectivity and performance.
Unlock limitless connectivity and performance with the PIC32CX-BZ and WBZ multiprotocol wireless MCUs.