6598178dc6a639001ee1abf9 Ublox Dreamstime L 225073707 Promonew

Automotive Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Module Clears Path to New Use Cases

Jan. 5, 2024

u-blox’s JODY-W6 module, which features concurrent dual-band Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth LE Audio, operates even in high temperatures.

David Maliniak

Related To: Microwaves & RF

The Overview

u-blox has launched its JODY-W6 module, a concurrent dual-band Wi-Fi 6E device with Bluetooth 5.3, including LE Audio, in a compact package measuring 13.8 × 19.8 × 2.5 mm. The new module targets automotive applications in infotainment and navigation, advanced telematics, and OEM telematics.

Who Needs It & Why?

Wi-Fi 6 and 6E technologies are seeing significant and promising growth in the automotive industry. Wi-Fi 6 focuses on efficiency, with reduced data congestion, improved network capacity, and lower overall power consumption. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 6E focuses on spectrum, enabling more concurrent users, reduced congestion, and enhanced security.

The device offers support for Apple CarPlay, AndroidAuto, personalized entertainment, data offloading, and smart/roof-integrated antennas. It’s expected to help overcome congestion and fulfill scalability requirements in vehicle designs.

Under the Hood

u-blox’s JODY-W6 not only provides tri-band Wi-Fi 6E functionality, but it also features dual-mode Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio. The globally certified device can withstand harsh automotive operating temperatures from −40°C to 105°C.

Equipped with an embedded NXP Semiconductors AW693 chipset, the module comes with either two or three antennas. It can also integrate an LTE filter. An EVK and an M.2 card will be available for the JODY-W6 series. Furthermore, its compatibility with previous JODY modules ensures seamless scalability. Other features of the AW693 chipset include MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and target wake time (TWT).

Samples of the JODY-W6 module are currently available, with volume production scheduled for Q1 2025.

About the Author

David Maliniak | Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF

I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

You can send press releases for new products for possible coverage on the website. I am also interested in receiving contributed articles for publishing on our website. Use our contributor's packet, in which you'll find an article template and lots more useful information on how to properly prepare content for us, and send to me along with a signed release form.

About me:

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.