The advent of Internet of Things (IoT) technology has ushered in the demand for more scalable, reliable, and power-efficient wireless communication modules.

This is especially true in sectors like industrial automation, logistics, agriculture, and the operation of smart cities. While traditional Wi-Fi has served these industries well, it still has its limitations in environments that involve long distances, battery-powered devices, or high-density printed circuit boards (PCBs).

To compensate for these restrictions, Wi-Fi HaLow has emerged as a solution for the needs of modern IoT. It provides high performance across extended distances, lower power consumption, and greater scalability, making it an attractive solution for a new generation of connected devices.

In this article, we'll expound on the characteristics of Wi-Fi HaLow, its benefits and use cases, and how an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider like PCI can provide the expertise and support needed to bring Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled products to market.

What is Wi-Fi HaLow?

Wi-Fi HaLow is a low-power and long-range wireless communication standard under the IEEE 802.11ah protocol. By using the lower sub-1 GHz frequency band, Wi-Fi HaLow is capable of addressing the growing need for wide-area wireless connectivity in constrained or unconventional environments.

Some key technical specifications of Wi-Fi HaLow include:

Sub-1 GHz Operation

Wi-Fi HaLow operates in the license-free sub-1 GHz ISM band, which is typically around 900 MHz in North America. This band enables transmissions across greater distances and provides stronger wall penetration capabilities than other Wi-Fi bands at higher frequencies.

Extended Range

Unlike conventional Wi-Fi, HaLow can maintain connectivity up to 1 kilometre. Recent tests also indicate Wi-Fi HaLow's capability of transmitting across a distance of 9.9 miles (15.9km) in open spaces, making it a good choice for large facilities, agricultural fields, or underground infrastructure.

Low Power Consumption

Wi-Fi HaLow enables devices to operate on ultra-low power, so that they can run for multiple years on a single battery. By optimising sleep-wake scheduling, unnecessary power draw can be reduced.

Device Density

A single Wi-Fi HaLow access point can manage connections for more than 8,000 devices. This significantly outperforms the capacity of standard wireless networks, making Wi-Fi HaLow a good choice for large-scale IoT applications that depend on reliable, high-density connectivity.

EMS providers like PCI help turn Wi-Fi HaLow's technical strengths into production-ready devices, applying our expertise in design, printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), rapid prototyping, and electronics manufacturing.

Wi-Fi HaLow Vs. Conventional Wi-Fi

The table below provides an overview of the capabilities of each wireless communication standard, and the differences between them:

Feature	Wi-Fi HaLow	Conventional Wi-Fi
Frequency Band	Sub-1 GHz	2.4 GHz / 5 GHz
Range	1km to 16km	150 to 300 feet
Power Efficiency	High	Low to moderate
Device Capacity	Thousands for every access point	Approximately 250
Use Cases	Low-power, long-range IoT	High-speed consumer connectivity

The Advantages of Adopting Wi-Fi HaLow for IoT Systems

Wi-Fi HaLow is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional Wi-Fi in environments where long-distance range, low power consumption, and large-scale connectivity are essential. Here are just some of its key benefits:

1. Extended Range and Deep Penetration

Because Wi-Fi HaLow operates in the sub-1 GHz frequency band, it enables signals to travel much farther than traditional 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

This lower frequency also enhances its ability to penetrate through dense materials like concrete, metal, and walls, making Wi-Fi HaLow highly suitable for connectivity in challenging environments.

In factories and warehouses, for example, Wi-Fi HaLow can provide stable wireless coverage across wide spaces in facilities and through obstructions like equipment or storage racks.

Underground or multi-level buildings can also benefit from this wireless connectivity protocol. These locations usually require multiple Wi-Fi access points to ensure full coverage. With HaLow, wider coverage can be guaranteed with fewer access points and greater efficiency.

2. Low Power Requirements

One of HaLow's defining features is its extremely low power consumption, which makes it ideal for IoT devices that operate for long durations without human intervention.

Examples of such devices include environmental sensors in remote monitoring locations. These sensors record parameters such as air quality or wind speed and will transmit data back to researchers.

With Wi-Fi HaLow, wireless sensors can send data reliably over long distances without consuming much power, and without requiring a dense network of access points.

This efficiency also reduces or removes the need for frequent battery replacements and charging, minimising operational and maintenance costs over time.

3. High Network Scalability

As IoT ecosystems evolve, managing thousands of connected devices reliably becomes a challenge for conventional Wi-Fi technologies. Wi-Fi HaLow provides a large-scale solution for this obstacle.

As mentioned, a single Wi-Fi HaLow access point can support more than 8,000 devices, dramatically simplifying network architecture in dense deployments.

Additionally, it includes features such as station grouping, traffic management, and scheduled transmissions to optimise performance and conserve power across large numbers of devices.

These capabilities make Wi-Fi HaLow a great choice for smart city infrastructure, large-scale industrial automation, and field-deployed agriculture systems, among others.

4. Native IP Support

Many low-power-wide-area network (LPWAN) technologies involved in powering IoT devices often require specialised gateways or custom communication stacks to function.

In contrast, Wi-Fi HaLow uses standard Internet Protocols (IPv4/IPv6) and does not need bridges or gateways for connection, making integrations with existing networks much more convenient and resource-saving.

Furthermore, Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled devices can connect directly to cloud platforms and enterprise software without translation layers, allowing for efficient data transfer and storage.

This means that an organisation will not need to invest in additional firmware, hardware, or other infrastructure to incorporate Wi-Fi HaLow into its ecosystem.

This native compatibility also allows for simpler firmware updates, remote diagnostics, and secure patching, all elements which are vital for long-term device lifecycle management.

5. Enhanced Security

Security is a core feature of Wi-Fi HaLow, making it suitable for use in sectors with strict data protection requirements. These include healthcare, smart infrastructure, and industrial systems, which all depend on secure, continuous data exchange.

Wi-Fi HaLow supports WPA3 encryption, the latest standard from the Wi-Fi Alliance, ensuring robust protection against unauthorised access and eavesdropping. This helps ensure that sensitive data remains secure across the network.

Additionally, secure onboarding protocols ensure that devices can be authenticated safely, even in unattended or remote environments.

This makes certain that only trusted devices can join the network, helping prevent unauthorised access and maintaining the integrity of large, distributed IoT systems.

Use Cases & Applications of Wi-Fi HaLow Across Industries

Wi-Fi HaLow's advantages make it suited for a wide range of modern IoT and embedded applications:

Industrial IoT (IIoT)

• Machine monitoring and predictive maintenance in manufacturing. Manufacturers can detect anomalies or potential disruptions early and minimise downtime with data from real-time sensors.
• Asset tracking across complex layouts, allowing businesses to track and monitor parts and equipment moving across large facilities.
• Remote sensor networks in areas without Ethernet cabling allow businesses to embed wireless sensors in areas where the necessary infrastructure may be lacking.

Smart Agriculture

• Wireless sensors can be deployed across distances on fields, to collect data on temperature and soil condition.
• Automated irrigation control systems can be implemented with central monitoring capabilities to enable remote management.
• Large farms can utilise Wi-Fi HaLow-powered devices for livestock management and equipment telematics.

Smart Buildings and Smart Cities

• Control of lighting, HVAC, and tenant access in commercial properties such as condominiums and office buildings.
• Remote meter reading for utilities, including electricity, water, and gas. These meters can function for years on a single battery, reducing the need for replacements.
• Operations of parking sensors, environmental monitors, and security systems in urban environments.

Healthcare and Logistics

• Patient tracking and remote monitoring of vital signs help improve patient safety and reduce the workload of nurses in large or busy medical facilities.
• Ensuring stable wireless performance for critical medical equipment across multiple floors in hospitals.

Challenges and Considerations in the Adoption of Wi-Fi HaLow

While Wi-Fi HaLow offers numerous advantages, there are important factors to consider when evaluating it for your needs and capabilities.

1. Module and Ecosystem Maturity

• Since Wi-Fi HaLow is still an emerging technology, the ecosystem of certified modules is not yet as widely available as traditional Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
• Additional engineering support may be needed for optimising power management and meeting radio compliance requirements.

2. Regulatory Requirements

• The sub-1 GHz frequency bands utilised by Wi-Fi HaLow will come under different regulations depending on the geographic region.
• For example, in the U.S.A., the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permits operation in the 902-928 MHz band, but there must be full compliance with transmission rules.
• EMS providers must be well-versed in international regulatory compliance, including RF testing and technical documentation, to avoid delays in market entry.

3. When HaLow May Not Be Ideal

• Applications that need high-bandwidth communication to function, such as video surveillance or augmented reality, may be beyond the current performance capacity of Wi-Fi HaLow. In these cases, traditional Wi-Fi or 5G networks could be better options.

Leverage PCI's Expertise in Wi-Fi HaLow-Enabled Electronics Manufacturing

PCI has extensive experience in RF systems, embedded design, IoT, and electronics manufacturing, making us the ideal partner for bringing Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled products to market.

• We provide RF design and verification expertise to ensure optimal performance at sub-1 GHz frequencies.
• Our rapid prototyping services accelerate time-to-market, allowing for quick iteration and validation of hardware and firmware.
• We deliver high-quality PCB assembly and manufacturing capabilities, optimising boards for signal integrity, power efficiency, and mechanical stability.
• We assist with comprehensive testing processes throughout the design and manufacturing processes, ensuring every device meets performance, safety, and regulatory standards.
• We have successfully supported clients across a diverse range of industries, including smart home automation, industrial manufacturing, and diagnostic and emergency care.

For more information on how we can help build and bring your products to market with confidence, contact us today.

Your Trusted EMS Partner for Innovative Wi-Fi HaLow-Enabled Systems

As IoT networks expand rapidly around the world, Wi-Fi HaLow provides an efficient foundation for long-term application in multiple industries.

To leverage the benefits of this system, businesses need a trusted electronics manufacturing services (EMS) partner who understands the technical, regulatory, and operational demands of Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled systems.

At PCI, we combine deep technical expertise with a full suite of engineering, design, and manufacturing capabilities to help our partners achieve their objectives. With a proven track record and a commitment to innovation, PCI is your trusted partner for delivering high-performance Wi-Fi HaLow-enabled devices, from concept to production.

Contact our friendly team today to learn more about how we can help you.