What is Wi-Fi HaLow
Wi-Fi HaLow, belongs to 802.11ah protocol, operates in the sub-1 GHz band, offering longer range and better penetration than traditional Wi-Fi. Its low-power design with efficient sleep and wake mechanisms extends battery life, while supporting high device density and stable connections in crowded environments, solving congestion issues of traditional Wi-Fi.
IEEE 802.11ah standard approved in 2016:
- Longer distances(1km+)
- Low power consumption(battery operation)
- Better penetration
- Higher density networks (up to 8191)
- IPv6 compatible
- WPA3 Security
IoT Technology Comparison: Data Rate vs. Range
Wi-Fi HaLow Benefits for IOT
Radio & PHY:
- Longer distance, over 1km; Better penetration through material
- High energy efficiency; Higher selection of data rates vs. other IoT
MAC:
- Very dense IoT networks; Ultra Low Power solutions using batteries
- Better organization of devices by type; Star-oriented architecture
System & Security:
- Standard AP/Routers, no proprietary hub/gateway
- Direct access to cloud services; Highest levels of Wi-Fi encryption
- Forward secrecy keys; Fast Over the Air (OTA) Firmware Updates
Heltec Wi-Fi HaLow Solutions
WiFi HaLow Module(HC01):
- Supporting Ultra-Low-Power operation modes
- IEEE 802.11ah Wi-Fi HaLow Standard
- Ambient Temperature -40℃ to 85℃
- 1/2/4/8 MHz Bandwidth
- WPA3 Security Protocol
- The Main Chip is MM6108IQ
Wi-Fi HaLow Dongle
- Wi-Fi HaLow Module HT-HC01
- Based on MT7628 platform
Wi-Fi HaLow Router / Gateway
- DC-031A/USB-C power supply, RJ45 for Ethernet.
- Ambient Temperature -20℃ to 70℃
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED HaLow™ AP and STA reference designs
Comparing Wi-Fi 4/5/6 to Wi-Fi HaLow
| Wi-Fi 4/5/6 | Wi-Fi HaLow | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Frequency Bands | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz (6E) | Sub-1 GHz (850 – 950 MHz) |
| Channel width choices | 20, 40, 80, 160 MHz | 1, 2, 4, 8, (16 optional) MHz |
| Max Addressable STAs per AP | 2007 | 8191 |
| Single Stream MCS data rate range | 6.5 Mbps-150 Mbps (.11n, Wi-Fi 4) | 150 Kbps – 43.3 Mbps (86.7 Mbps @16MHz) |
| Typical range | ~100 m | 10x longer range than 802.11n 20MHz |
Rate vs. Range @4MHz BW (Narrabeen Beach @AUS)
IoT Technology Comparison: Energy efficiency
Application Scenario
- Industrial automation control
- Asset management and tracking
- Smart Home, Smart City
- Wi-Fi/Ethernet/Wi-Fi_HaLow extension and bridging
- Rural Internet access LAN construction
- Network blind spot coverage
- Remote camera monitoring
Wi-Fi HaLow Series:
ESP32 Wi-Fi HaLow Camera
$42.90 – $44.90
HT-H7608 Wi-Fi HaLow Router / Gateway
Original price was: $89.00.$79.00Current price is: $79.00.
Raspberry Pi Wi-Fi HaLow Camera HAT
Original price was: $52.00.$39.00Current price is: $39.00.
Wi-Fi HaLow Dongle -- 802.11ah Long Range Wireless Network Bridge
$69.00 – $138.00
WiFi HaLow Module
$21.90 Key Features
High Device Density Support
Wi-Fi HaLow supports large-scale device connections with stable communication, making it ideal for smart homes, smart cities, and industrial automation, while avoiding the network congestion issues of traditional Wi-Fi in dense environments.
Long Distance Connection
Wi-Fi HaLow, operating on the sub-1 GHz band, offers longer transmission distances (up to hundreds of meters), providing reliable connections in large venues or outdoor environments, ideal for long-range transmission and large-scale device networking.
Low Power consumption
Wi-Fi HaLow is optimized for IoT devices, utilizing efficient sleep and wake mechanisms to minimize power consumption, enabling long battery life and continuous connectivity for IoT applications.