In a major stride towards advancing wireless connectivity solutions, u-blox has announced its latest innovation, the JODY-W6. This concurrent dual-band Wi-Fi 6E module, coupled with Bluetooth 5.3 and featuring LE Audio, is set to transform the automotive industry. With a compact form factor measuring just 13.8 x 19.8 x 2.5 mm, the JODY-W6 aims to address critical use cases in infotainment, navigation, advanced telematics, and OEM telematics systems.
Key Features of the JODY-W6 Module:
- Revolutionary In-Car Entertainment and Connectivity
- Simultaneous Dual Wi-Fi 6E Connectivity (2×2 + 1×1)
- Seamless Integration of Bluetooth LE Audio
- Security and Encryption Features
- Designed for Concurrent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Operations
The decision to develop the JODY-W6 module is in line with the findings of the TSR Wireless Connectivity Market Report, highlighting the growing significance of Wi-Fi 6 and 6E technologies in the automotive industry. Wi-Fi 6 focuses on efficiency by reducing data congestion, enhancing network capacity, and minimizing power consumption, while Wi-Fi 6E concentrates on spectrum management to facilitate more concurrent users, alleviate congestion, and bolster security.
The JODY-W6 module, incorporating dual-mode Bluetooth with LE Audio capabilities, has received global certifications and is engineered to withstand temperatures ranging from -40 °C to 105 °C. Customers can choose between two or three antennas and request integration of an LTE filter as needed. u-blox is set to provide an Evaluation Kit (EVK) and an M.2 card as part of the JODY-W6 series, ensuring compatibility with previous JODY modules for seamless scalability.
Sebastian Schreiber, Senior Product Line Manager at u-blox’s Short Range Product Center, highlighted the module’s versatility, stating, “JODY-W6 is a smart and reliable solution that helps overcome congestion and fulfils scalability requirements through its highly adaptable compact size. Specific use cases include support for AppleCarPlay and AndroidAuto, personalized entertainment, data off-loading, and smart/roof-integrated antennas.”
The JODY-W6 module boasts an embedded NXP Semiconductors AW693 chipset, providing enhanced automotive capabilities. Larry Olivas, Vice President and General Manager of Wireless Connectivity Solutions at NXP Semiconductors, commended the AW693 chipset, emphasizing features such as MU-MIMO, OFDMA, and target wake time (TWT) that empower the JODY-W6 compact module. Samples of the JODY-W6 module are already available, with full-scale production scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2025. This development marks a significant leap in advancing wireless connectivity solutions for the automotive industry and beyond. Insights into the Wireless Connectivity Market Report were provided by TSR, a global business analyst group headquartered in Japan.
