What is a wireless module? Which manufacturers constitute the wireless module industry chain?

Wireless modules are widely used in the following areas: Internet of Things (IoT) devices, embedded systems, smart homes and industrial automation. automatic probe station In the context of iot applications, each additional iot connection requires one or two wireless modules. These wireless modules are equipped with networking information transmission capabilities for various terminal devices, forming a key link between the sensor layer and the network layer of the Internet of Things.

Wireless modules include cellular communication modules (2G/3G/4G/5g/NB-IoT, etc.) and non-cellular communication modules (WiFi, Bluetooth, Lora, etc.).

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Why is a wireless module so important?

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a vast network of connected entities that collect real-time data from objects that need to be monitored, private 5g connected, and interacted with, enabling ubiquitous connectivity between things, things, and people.

The cornerstone of the Internet of Things is the wireless communication module, which provides information transmission capabilities to various end devices. Every iot endpoint relies on the communication module as an intermediary for data transmission. The number of communication modules in the Internet of Things is one-to-one corresponding to the connection, which makes the communication module a key element in the Internet of Things.

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Wireless module industry

Internet of Things technology to solve the problem, almost every increase in students an Internet of Things connection, there will be a corresponding cost increase of 1-2 wireless communication modules. The architecture of the Internet of Things can be divided into four layers: perception layer, network layer, platform layer and application layer. private lte This economic structure forms a complete industrial chain of "chip - module - terminal - operator - application". Among them, wireless module design belongs to the perception layer of the Internet of Things, which occupies an important foundation and core enterprise position in the architecture.

The wireless module industry chain is composed of "upstream chip manufacturers - midstream communication module providers - downstream iot applications". Wireless module manufacturers purchase chips, printed circuit boards, discrete components, and other electronic components from upstream suppliers. Through custom hardware and software design, testing and certification, enter downstream end-use applications, thereby promoting the development of the iot industry.

Upstream: iot chip manufacturers

The upstream of the wireless module industry chain includes various electronic component manufacturers, such as chip, PCB, discrete component and structural component suppliers. Among them, chips contribute most of the cost, and baseband chips, RF chips, and memory chips are the three major communication chips.

Baseband chips have high technical barriers and account for the largest material costs. Major suppliers include Qualcomm, Intel, Mediatek Technology, Red Pine Signal and so on. The PCB and passive components industry is a highly competitive market with strong substitution capabilities.

Midstream: Wireless module manufacturer

The wireless network communication module is located in the middle of the Internet of Things technology industry chain. They integrate baseband chips, memory, capacitors, inductors, connectors and other national electronic information components from upstream enterprise suppliers into the PCB to achieve functions such as data collection and transmission by Chinese users.

Wireless modules are the foundation for the ubiquitous connectivity of iot hardware. Due to the rapid development of the Internet of Things, the wireless communication module industry is on a rapid growth track.

Downstream: Various applications

In the downstream of the wireless communication module industry chain, smart IOT device manufacturers customize requirements in various application scenarios such as smart manufacturing, autonomous driving, smart healthcare, smart education, and smart cities. The proliferation of iot connectivity is driving the rapid growth of the wireless communication module market.