If you are getting started with the Internet of Things, you will have heard the term wireless communication module a lot. Let's talk about the concept of "module", which is a very broad term to represent. In software, a module is a set of program statements (i.e., a collection of program code and data structures) that can be named independently and perform certain functions independently; in hardware, a module is a fully functional system composed of multiple components with basic functions. Anything that meets the definition can be called a module, and can be divided into communication module, positioning module, photosensitive module, etc. according to the different functions. When it comes to IoT module, it generally refers to wireless communication module, which is usually called module in Taiwan, and iot wifi module both mean the same thing.

In the era of IoT, what happens when people want to connect their devices to communication? Similar to interpersonal phone ditch using cellular network, IoT devices also have a "phone" like device that helps them send and receive signals, which is called wireless communication module. This is a set of chips plus the peripheral circuitry needed for the chips, and there is no uniform definition in the industry yet. The radio communication module enables various IoT terminal devices to have network information transmission capability, and is the information portal for various intelligent terminals to access the IoT.

The key link between IoT perception layer and network layer is the connection. All device data of IoT perception layer terminals need to converge to the network layer through wireless communication module, and then remote control the devices through cloud management platform, and at the same time realize the improvement of management efficiency through data analysis.

The ICT industry chain is very long, there are modules upstream of the chip, and downstream applications are terminal applications... So, what is the value of the module in the end? Imagine if a device is given only one chip, while another device cannot communicate with other devices. At this time, module manufacturers are needed to integrate various components such as baseband chips, RF, memory chips, capacitors, resistors, etc. together and assemble them into communication modules so that the device can communicate with other devices.

Therefore, in the IoT industry chain, the primary value of the module is: hardware integration and software design, the integration of multiple communication standards to meet the environmental needs of different application scenarios, greatly simplifying the work of application manufacturers.

Just as cell phone users do not have to understand the principle of radio communication, foolish use of cell phones is foolish, and application manufacturers do not have to do their own complicated integration work, they buy products from module manufacturers and bring them directly to use.

Things and things in different application scenarios of communication needs are different.

If it is a water meter, it only needs to transmit a very small amount of data, and it does not need to transmit every day; if it is a car, it needs to transmit a much larger amount of data, and the real-time data requirements are also very high; other devices, such as motors in factories, street lights on the roadside, speakers at home, all have their own communication needs...

Therefore, this is the second value of modules in the IoT industry chain: upstream of wireless communication modules are production raw materials such as baseband chips, which are highly standardized; downstream are various segmented application areas, which are extremely fragmented. The IoT module itself, the middle link is the upstream standardized chip and the downstream vertical decentralization, which needs to meet the specific needs of different customers and different application scenarios.

Summary of unit value.

Primary value: hardware integration and software design, which integrates multiple communication systems to meet the environmental needs of different application scenarios, greatly simplifying the work of application vendors.

Value 2: Intermediate link, located between upstream standardized chips and downstream decentralized verticals, which need to meet the specific needs of different customers and different application scenarios.

In general, wireless communication modules can be divided into the following categories by communication technology.

For example, 2G module refers to the module that can access the operator's 2G network, and NB-IoT module means that it can access the NB-IoT network, etc.

Beijing Miracle IoT Technology Co., Ltd. is committed to promoting the application and popularization of IoT, providing solutions according to the needs of different scenarios. The company researches its own SIMLinK card management platform to realize eSIM chip management, provides eSIM modules covering 2G/4G/NB-IOT, and continuously promotes the development of IoT applications.

Related article reading:

The development of WiFi wireless communication, IoT serial WiFi module technology, smart life wireless applications.

The current three mainstream wireless communication modules for IoT.

What is the relationship between radio communication module and IoT? What are the application scenarios of wireless modules?