Modulo-2 Data Sheet

Modulo-2 is a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® low energy development board that makes it easy to prototype and build connected products used in conjunction with the Afero IoT Platform. It enables ultra-low power connectivity for data communication. The product integrates a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth® radio, RF front-end, a microcontroller running the Afero custom firmware, security IC, and crystal into a small package. This is an ideal solution for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

This page contains the following sections:

Introduction

Modulo-2 Features

  • Model name: Afero Modulo-2 Secure WLAN Radio
    Development Board
  • Afero model number: Modulo-2
  • WLAN type: 802.11 b/g/n 1x1
  • WLAN radio frequencies: 2.4GHz
  • Number of WLAN antennas: One (1)
  • WLAN antenna configuration: Microstrip Monopole PCB antenna
  • WLAN encryption: 64-bit WEP, 128-bit WEP, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK
  • Bluetooth radio: Bluetooth® low energy wireless technology (4.0)
  • Number of Bluetooth antennas: One (1) shared with WLAN
  • Bluetooth antenna configuration: Shared with WLAN
  • Bluetooth power level: 4dBm
  • Maximum transmit power: 20 dBm
  • Receive sensitivity: -85dBm
  • Power consumption: <500 mW (average)
  • Host interface: UART, SPI, 3.3V CMOS
  • Security features: Cryptographic co-processor with secure,
    hardware-based key storage
  • Interface pins: Four (4) multifunction IOs
  • Power (VCC): 5VDC +10/-5%
  • Operating temperature: 0 - +85C
  • Storage temperature: -20 - +85C
  • Operating humidity: 10-85% RH, non-condensing
  • Storage humidity: 0-90% RH, non-condensing
  • LED indicators: One (1)
  • Buttons: One (1)
  • Dimensions: 61.5mm x 17.8mm x 11.5mm (L x W x H)
  • Weight (Earth ABL): 7g
  • Package: 600 mil DIP form factor
  • Compliance: FCC/IC, CE, TELEC
  • Certifications: Bluetooth SIG

Block Diagram

Mechanical Specification

Mechanical Drawing

Antenna Keepout

Pin Definitions

Pin # Name Description Pin # Name Description
1 GND Ground (Square Pin) 19 IO0 General Purpose I/O
2 NC 20 IO1 General Purpose I/O
3 NC 21 IO2 General Purpose I/O
4 NC 22 IO3 General Purpose I/O
5 NC 23 HOST_SPI_CLK SPI Clock
6 NC 24 HOST_INT Host Interrupt Active LowNC
7 NC 25 NC
8 NC 26 IO4 RESERVED
9 HOST_TX_MOSI Host UART Transmit 27 IO5 RESERVED
10 HOST_RX_MISO Host UART Receive 28 IO6 RESERVED
11 NC 29 IO7 RESERVED
12 HOST_CTS_SCS Chip Select 30 NC
13 HOST_TX_MOSI Host SPI Transmit 31 RESET_B Reset Active Low
14 HOST_RX_MISO Host SPI Receive 32 NC
15 VCC_3P3 Internal 3V3 LDO Power Rail 33 NC
16 DBG_UART_TX UART Transmit 34 NC
17 DBG_UART_RX UART Receive 35 NC
18 GND Ground 36 VCC_USB External 5V USB Power Rail

Mechanical Characteristics

Item Test Conditions
Assembly No defects of wiring, soldering and assembling
Appearance No dirt, rust, corrosion, or foreign material
Mass 7g +/- 2g

DC Electrical Specification

Absolute Maximum Rating

Description Min Max Unit
VIN -0.3 +5.8 V
VCC -0.3 +4.0 V
IVCC (3.3V Out) 550 mA

Recommended Operating Conditions

Parameter Min Max Unit
Operating Temperature Range 0 +85 °C
VIN +4.5 +5.5 V
VCC (Supplied by internal regulator) +3.0 +3.6 V
IVCC (3.3V Out) 100 mA

Standard Test Conditions

Ambient Conditions: 25C +/- 5C, 65%RH +/- 10%

Power Supply: VIN 5V +/- 5%

Typical Power Consumption

Measurements taken from 12 VDC power supply.

Power Consumption Min Typ Max Unit
TX Off 495 mW
TX Mode (1Mbps 11b) 1300 mW
TX Mode (11Mbps 11b) 1160 mW
TX Mode (6Mbps 11g) 1200 mW
TX Mode (54Mbps 11g) 935 mW
TX Mode (MCS0 11n) 1250 mW
TX Mode (MCS7 11n) 765 mW
RX Mode 475 mW
Typical Usage (appliance operation) 350 mW

GPIO DC Characteristics

Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
VIL Low-Level Input Voltage All Pins -0.3 - 0.3 x VVDDIO V
VIH High-Level Input Voltage All Pins 0.7 x VVDDIO - VVDDIO + 0.3 V
VOL Low-Level Output Voltage All Pins - - .04 V
VOH High-Level Output Voltage All Pins VVDDIO - 0.4 - - V
VHYS Hysteresis Voltage All Pins 0.15 - - mV
IOL Sink Current VOL = 0.4V
SPI_CLK_UC - - 6 mA
All Others - - 2
NRST - - 4
IOH Source Current VOH = VVDDIO - 0.4V
SPI_CLK_UC - - -6 mA
All Others - - -2
NRST - - -4
IIL Low-Level Input Current Pull-up OFF -1 - 1 μA
Pull-up ON 10 - 50
IIH High-Level Input Current Pull-down OFF -1 - 1 μA
Pull-down ON 10 - 50
RPULLUP Pull-up Resistor All Pins 70 100 140
RPULLDOWN Pull-down Resistor All Pins 70 100 140

Pin Description

Pin # Pin Name I/O Pin Description
1 VCC Power In
5.0V +10/-5% or 12.0V +/-10%
2 RX I UART RX
3 TX O UART TX
4 GND Ground

RF Specification

Conditions: 25°C, VIN=5V, Parameters measured at RF connector.

Wireless LAN Module Specifications

Wireless LAN Module Specifications
Model Modulo-2
Frequency Range 2400MHz to 2483MHz
Output Power (Max) IEEE 802.11b: 20dBm
IEEE 802.11g: 17dBm
IEEE 802.11n: 17dBm

RF Characteristics for IEEE802.11b

11Mbps mode unless otherwise specified.

Items Contents
Specification IEEE802.11b
Mode DSSS/CCK
Channel frequency 2400 – 2483 MHz
Data rate 1, 2, 5.5, 11Mbps
TX Characteristics Min Typ Max Unit
Total radiated power level 8 10 18 dBm
Spectrum mask (HT20)
  1st side lobes (to fc ±11 MHz) -36 -30 dBr
  2nd side lobes (to fc ±22MHz) -55 -50 dBr
Modulation accuracy (EVM) -18 dB
Frequency tolerance 5 ppm
RX Characteristics MIN TYP MAX UNIT
Minimum input level sens. (TIS, PER ≤ 10%) -85 dBm

RF Characteristics for IEEE802.11g

54Mbps mode unless otherwise specified.

Items Contents
Specification IEEE802.11g
Mode OFDM
Channel frequency 2400 – 2483MHz
Data rate 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54Mbps
TX Characteristics Min Typ Max Unit
Total radiated power level 8 10 15 dBm
Spectrum mask
  at fc ±11 MHz -50 -20 dBr
  to fc ±20MHz -55 -28 dBr
  to fc > = ±30MHz -60 -45 dBr
Constellation error (EVM) -27 -25 dB
Frequency tolerance 5 ppm
Chip clock frequency tolerance 5 ppm
RX Characteristics MIN TYP MAX UNIT
Minimum input level sens. (TIS, PER ≤ 10%) -70 dBm

RF Characteristics for IEEE802.11n

MCS7 mode unless otherwise specified.

Items Contents
Specification IEEE802.11n – 2.4GHz
Mode OFDM
Channel Frequency 2400 – 2483MHz
Data rate 6.5, 13, 19.5, 26, 39, 52, 58.5, 65Mbps
TX Characteristics Min Typ Max Unit
Total radiated power level 3 5 10 dBm
Spectrum mask (HT20)
  at fc ±11 MHz   -50 -20 dBr
  to fc ±20MHz   -55 -28 dBr
  to fc > = ±30MHz   -60 -45 dBr
Constellation error (EVM)   -29 -27 dB
Frequency tolerance   5   ppm
Chip clock frequency tolerance 5 ppm
RX Characteristics MIN TYP MAX UNIT
Minimum input level sens. (TIS, PER ≤ 10%) -68 dBm

Bluetooth® Low Energy Characteristics

Items Min Typ Max
Specification Bluetooth® 4.0
Mode Bluetooth® low energy
Frequency range 2400 - 2483MHz
TX characteristics
Power - 0dBm +4dBm
RX characteristics
Receive sensitivity - -93dBm -

Environmental Specification

Absolute Maximum Rating

Description Min Max Unit
Storage temperature -20 85 °C
Storage humidity 0 90 %RH
Operating temperature 0 85 °C
Operating humidity 10 85 %RH

Recommended Operating Conditions

Parameter Min Max Unit
Operating temperature range 0 85 °C

Ordering Information

Module Part Number Notes
Modulo-2 A-FGS-00005-00 Header pins installed

Compliance Notices

FCC Class B Notice

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

  1. This device may not cause harmful interference.
  2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for help.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.

In order to comply with FCC radio frequency (RF) exposure limits, antennas should be located at a minimum of 7.9 inches (20 cm) or more from the body of all persons.

ICES Class B Notice – Avis NMB-003, Classe B

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.

Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

This device complies with Industry Canada’s licence-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference; and (2) This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l’utilisateur de l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.

EU Declaration of Conformity

Afero, Inc. declares that Modulo-2, PN A-PCB-00028-00, complies with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 2014/53/EU. A copy of the Declaration of conformity is available on request.

Afero, Inc.
4970 El Camino Real
Suite 210
Los Altos, CA 94022

View letter stating EU Declaration of Conformity (pdf).

RoHS

This device conforms to RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) European Union regulations that set maximum concentration limits on hazardous materials used in electrical and electronic equipment.

WEEE

This product has been supplied from an environmentally aware manufacturer that complies with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC. The “crossed-out wheelie bin” symbol is placed on this product to encourage you to recycle wherever possible.