u-blox, a global leader in positioning and short-range communication technologies, has announced the ALMA-W1 module series, a compact family of Wi-Fi 6/6E modules based on Nordic Semiconductor's nRF7120 and nRF7120E System-on-Chips. The announcement, made via NEWMEDIAWIRE, positions the ALMA-W1 as a solution for battery-driven and size-constrained connected products, combining low-power Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, and 802.15.4 radios in a single module.
The ALMA-W1 addresses a growing demand for low-power wireless connectivity that is easier to integrate without the complexity of a chip-down design. The module family is intended for global industrial and consumer markets, giving developers a compact, cost-efficient path to Wi-Fi 6/6E while retaining flexibility in antenna selection, memory, frequency bands, software architecture, and end-product design. It also extends the u-blox short-range portfolio into the Nordic Wi-Fi ecosystem, merging Nordic Semiconductor technology and software with u-blox module, integration, and certification expertise.
For developers, the ALMA-W1 offers significant flexibility. Variants include dual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi, internal or external antenna options, wireless MCU and network processor versions, and optional additional flash memory. The 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. The series includes up to 63 configurable GPIOs and multiple peripheral interfaces, along with next-generation security features. Relevant versions also 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.
For customers choosing network processor operation, u-connectXpress provides pre-flashed, AT-command-based wireless connectivity software including the Wi-Fi driver, Bluetooth stack, communication protocols, and security libraries. This reduces integration effort and shortens time-to-market. The ALMA-W1 is also globally certified, supporting faster and less complex worldwide deployments. Target applications include 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.
Kjetil Holstad, Executive Vice President Wi-Fi Business Unit at Nordic Semiconductor, said: "Battery life is the defining requirement for the next wave of Wi-Fi IoT, and ultra-low power is what we designed the nRF71 series around. With more than 20 times lower connected stand-by current than our previous generation, Nordic is making Wi-Fi 6 practical for devices that must run for years on a small battery. With ALMA-W1, u-blox brings that performance in a globally certified module, combining flexible antenna and memory options with u-connectXpress software to move faster from concept to product."
The ALMA-W1 series will be showcased at electronica 2026. Initial samples are available to selected customers, with the sampling program set to expand shortly. For further information, including technical documentation, visit ubx.io/alma-w1. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
