Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
November 03, 2026

u-blox Launches ALMA-W1: Ultra-Low-Power Wi-Fi 6/6E Module for IoT

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TLDR

  • u-blox ALMA-W1 lets developers reach Wi-Fi 6/6E markets faster with Nordic nRF71 chips, pre-certified modules, and up to 15x faster Edge AI versus CPU.
  • ALMA-W1 pairs Nordic nRF7120 SoCs with dual or tri-band Wi-Fi, BLE, 802.15.4, selectable antennas, memory, and u-connectXpress AT-command software.
  • u-blox ALMA-W1 enables compact, low-power connected medical, smart home, and agricultural devices that can run for years on small batteries.
  • The u-blox ALMA-W1 module packs a dedicated Axon Neural Processing Unit for local Edge AI, plus Bluetooth Channel Sounding support in a tiny form factor.

Impact - Why it Matters

The ALMA-W1 module series addresses the growing demand for low-power wireless connectivity that is easy to integrate, without the complexity of chip-down designs. By combining Nordic Semiconductor’s ultra-low-power nRF71 series with u-blox’s module, integration, and certification expertise, the ALMA-W1 enables developers to bring battery-driven, size-constrained connected products to market faster. This is particularly important for applications where battery life and reliable wireless connectivity are critical, such as healthcare wearables, smart home devices, industrial sensors, and asset trackers. The module’s Edge AI capabilities, with a dedicated NPU, allow for local processing that can reduce latency and reliance on cloud services, enabling faster response times and improved energy efficiency. As IoT devices proliferate, the need for efficient, certified wireless modules that simplify development and accelerate time-to-market will only grow. The ALMA-W1 positions u-blox and Nordic Semiconductor at the forefront of this trend, providing a versatile solution that can adapt to a wide range of product requirements and design goals.

Summary

u-blox, a global leader in positioning and short-range communication technologies, has unveiled the ALMA-W1 module series, a compact, ultra-low-power Wi-Fi 6/6E solution designed for battery-driven and size-constrained IoT products. Based on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF7120 and nRF7120E System-on-Chips, the ALMA-W1 combines Wi-Fi 6/6E, Bluetooth LE, and 802.15.4 radios, offering flexibility in antenna selection, memory, frequency bands, and software architecture. The module family is aimed at industrial and consumer markets, providing a cost-efficient path to Wi-Fi 6/6E without the complexity of chip-down designs. Target applications include healthcare and medical equipment, smart home and access control, industrial automation, asset tracking, smart city applications, UAVs, robotics, and high-precision agriculture.

Key features of the ALMA-W1 include dual-band or tri-band Wi-Fi with internal PCB trace or external antenna options, wireless MCU or network processor operation, optional extended flash memory, 63 configurable GPIOs, and next-generation security. Relevant versions 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 workloads on the CPU. For customers choosing network processor operation, u-connectXpress provides pre-flashed, AT-command-based software including Wi-Fi driver, Bluetooth stack, communication protocols, and security libraries, reducing development effort and time-to-market. The module is globally certified, supporting faster worldwide deployments.

Kjetil Holstad, Executive Vice President Wi-Fi Business Unit at Nordic Semiconductor, commented, “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, with initial samples available to selected customers and the sampling program set to expand shortly. For more information, visit ubx.io/alma-w1.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content distributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, u-blox Launches ALMA-W1: Ultra-Low-Power Wi-Fi 6/6E Module for IoT

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