Description
Product Overview
The BW16 is a high-performance, low-power dual-band wireless communication module developed by Ai-Thinker based on the advanced Realtek RTL8720DN chipset. This compact SoC (System on Chip) module combines 2.4GHz and 5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) with Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE) support in a single integrated package, making it ideal for next-generation IoT devices, smart home applications, and industrial automation .
Unlike traditional ESP8266 or ESP32 modules that operate only on the congested 2.4GHz band, the BW16 supports the less crowded 5GHz frequency, offering faster data rates (up to 150 Mbps), reduced latency, and improved resistance to interference—perfect for high-bandwidth applications like HD video streaming or real-time control systems .
The BW16 integrates a dual-core ARM architecture: a high-performance KM4 MCU (compatible with Cortex-M4F) running at up to 200 MHz, and a low-power KM0 MCU (compatible with Cortex-M0) for efficient power management . With its comprehensive peripheral set (UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, ADC), multiple antenna options (PCB antenna or IPEX connector), and support for secondary development in Arduino, Linux, and Windows environments, the BW16 offers exceptional flexibility for developers .
Key Features
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Dual-Band Wi-Fi Support: Supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands (802.11 a/b/g/n) for reduced interference and higher throughput .
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Bluetooth 5.0 & BLE: Integrated Bluetooth 5.0 with Low Energy (BLE) support, offering 4x range, 2x speed, and 8x broadcasting capacity compared to Bluetooth 4.2 .
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Dual-Core ARM Processor: Features a high-performance KM4 MCU (Cortex-M4F compatible) at up to 200 MHz and a low-power KM0 MCU (Cortex-M0 compatible) for efficient power management .
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Multiple Antenna Options: Available with onboard PCB antenna or IPEX connector for external high-gain antennas, allowing flexible installation in metal enclosures or long-range applications .
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Rich Peripheral Interfaces: Supports UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, and ADC interfaces for connecting a wide variety of sensors, actuators, and displays .
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Multiple Wi-Fi Modes: Supports Station (STA), SoftAP, and STA+AP modes, enabling devices to connect to existing networks or create their own .
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Low Power Consumption: Features multiple sleep modes (Deep Sleep, Light Sleep, Modem Sleep) with standby current as low as 10 µA, ideal for battery-powered IoT devices .
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Secure Connectivity: Built-in hardware encryption engine (AES/DES/SHA) and support for WPA3, TLS 1.3, Secure Boot, and TrustZone-M for enhanced security .
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Wide Operating Temperature: Rated for -40°C to +85°C, suitable for industrial environments .
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Arduino IDE Support: Fully compatible with Arduino development environment, with dedicated board support and extensive example libraries .
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Operating Value |
|---|---|
| Module Model | BW16 |
| Core Chip | Realtek RTL8720DN |
| Processor | Dual-core ARM: KM4 (200 MHz) + KM0 (low-power) |
| Flash Memory | 2 MB (integrated) |
| Operating Voltage | 3.0 V – 3.6 V DC (3.3 V typical) |
| Wi-Fi Standard | 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) |
| Wi-Fi Data Rate | Up to 150 Mbps (802.11n) |
| Transmit Power | Up to 16 dBm |
| Receiver Sensitivity | -90 dBm to -92 dBm |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 (BR/EDR & BLE) |
| Antenna Options | PCB antenna or IPEX connector |
| Interfaces | UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, ADC |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to +85°C |
| Module Dimensions | 24mm × 16mm (standard variant) |
| Weight | Approx. 2 g |
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