u-blox has unveiled the ALMA-W1 module series, a compact Wi-Fi 6/6E product line 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. By offering extensive configuration options—including dual-band and tri-band Wi-Fi, internal or external antennas, wireless MCU or network processor operation, and optional additional flash memory—u-blox provides developers with a flexible platform that can adapt to a wide range of product requirements. 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.
This launch matters because it extends the u-blox short-range portfolio into the Nordic Wi-Fi ecosystem, combining Nordic Semiconductor technology and software with u-blox module, integration, and certification expertise. For customers choosing network processor operation, u-connectXpress software provides pre-flashed, AT-command-based wireless connectivity software including the Wi-Fi driver, Bluetooth stack, communication protocols, and security libraries. This reduces the effort to integrate wireless technology into the core of the end product, helping lower development effort and shorten time-to-market. The ALMA-W1 is also globally certified, supporting faster and less complex worldwide deployments.
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.”
Relevant versions of the ALMA-W1 feature a dedicated Axon Neural Processing Unit for low-latency Edge AI use cases potentially delivering speed gains of up to 15 times faster and more energy efficient than running the same workloads on the CPU. This capability is designed to support edge processing without relying solely on cloud-based systems, addressing the need for faster response times and more local intelligence in connected devices.
Applicable applications include healthcare and medical equipment requiring low power, compact design, and strong security; smart home and access control products, including battery-operated connected devices; industrial automation, asset tracking, aftermarket telematics, and smart city applications; and UAVs, robotics, and high-precision agriculture requiring responsive local processing.
The u-blox 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.
