u-blox has introduced the ALMA-W1 module series, a compact family of Wi-Fi 6/6E modules designed for battery-driven and size-constrained connected products. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, positions the ALMA-W1 as a response to growing demand for low-power wireless connectivity that is easier to integrate without the complexity of a chip-down design.
The ALMA-W1 is based on Nordic Semiconductor's nRF7120 and nRF7120E System-on-Chips and combines Wi-Fi 6/6E with Bluetooth LE and 802.15.4 radios. The module family offers extensive configuration options, including dual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi, internal or external antenna choices, wireless MCU or network processor operation, and optional additional flash memory. Embedded-antenna variants measure 10.4 x 14.3 mm, while external-antenna variants are listed at 10.4 x 11.2 x 1.9 mm.
Why this matters: the ALMA-W1 addresses a critical barrier to IoT adoption—battery life. Kjetil Holstad, Executive Vice President Wi-Fi Business Unit at Nordic Semiconductor, said that battery life is the defining requirement for the next wave of Wi-Fi IoT, and that the nRF71 series delivers more than 20 times lower connected stand-by current than the previous generation. By bringing that performance into a globally certified module, u-blox aims to make Wi-Fi 6 practical for devices that must run for years on a small battery.
The module series also extends the u-blox short-range portfolio into the Nordic Wi-Fi ecosystem, combining Nordic's technology and software with u-blox's module, integration, and certification expertise. For customers choosing network processor operation, u-connectXpress provides pre-flashed, AT-command-based wireless connectivity software that includes the Wi-Fi driver, Bluetooth stack, communication protocols, and security libraries, reducing integration effort and shortening time-to-market.
Relevant versions of the ALMA-W1 feature a dedicated Axon Neural Processing Unit for low-latency Edge AI, potentially delivering speed gains of up to 15 times faster and more energy efficient than running the same workloads on the CPU. This allows connected devices to support local intelligence without relying solely on cloud-based systems, which is important for applications requiring fast response times.
The ALMA-W1 is intended for global industrial and consumer markets, with target applications including healthcare and medical equipment, smart home and access control products, industrial automation, asset tracking, aftermarket telematics, smart city applications, UAVs, robotics, and high-precision agriculture. The module family is also globally certified, supporting faster and less complex worldwide deployments.
The u-blox ALMA-W1 series will be showcased at electronica 2026, with initial samples available to selected customers and the sampling program set to expand shortly. For further information, including technical documentation, visit ubx.io/alma-w1 or www.u-blox.com.
