Tiny low-power Wi-Fi module enables Internet of Things

The WiSmart EC32Wxx from Econais is an ultra-low-power embedded Wi-Fi platform that can fit in any existing or new electronic device. The module is based on the STM32F1x microcontroller and, according to the company, uses the lowest-power-consumption Wi-Fi chip on the market.


The device runs a tiny TCP/IP stack, with WPA/WPA2 support, leaving 115K (EC32W10)/243K (EC32W11)/371K (EC32W12) Flash Memory available for any third-party application that can make use of the well-defined API exported by the module. More flash is available in bigger versions of the MCU.

Key features (EC32W1x) include the following:

• 3.3V supply
• Operational modes as low as 1.1 uA current consumption
• Rx power consumption (mA): (b/g/n) 48 / 50 / 51
• Tx power consumption (mA): (b/g/n) 237@21dBm / 219@18 dBm / 214@17 dBm
• 802.11 power save
• IBSS and BSS mode
• TCP/IP, Telnet, Web Server
• Interfaces: SPI, UART, ADC, DAC, I2C, I2S, MCU JTAG, SDIO

The module includes an embedded PCB antenna with range up to 400m, but optionally an external antenna can be mounted on the board. The WiSmart EC32Wxx measures 27.5mm x 18.5mm x 1.5mm and is priced at less than $15 each in quantities greater than 1K. Samples are $20 per unit, and an available software development kit is $249.