Upcoming Wi-Fi 7 from SparkLAN. A fit for Librem 5?

I can’t judge if this would be a good fit. May the community can.

Two new Wi-Fi modules:

  1. WNFQ-290BE
    M.2 format with E-Key socket or keying (or what it is)
  2. WNSQ-290BE
    Land Grid Array for soldering

both:

  • Qualcomm QCC2073
  • Wi-Fi 7 via 2.4GHz, 5GHz or 6GHz
  • 2 MU-MIMO streams
  • up to 160MHz wide channels
  • QAM4096 modulation (which is optional for Wi-Fi 7)
  • PCIe to host
  • Bluetooth 5.4
  • connection to chip via USB or UART
  • 2 IPEX MHF4 antenna sockets (for WLAN and Bluetooth)

Until now Linux drivers only.
Not available, yet.
No CE and FCC certification, yet.
Price unknown

Source (behind paywall):
C’t (German Tech magazine)
Heise Verlag
c’t 28/2024
S. 49

Now looking for other sources…

Specs and datasheet:

POWER CONSUMPTION

Continue TX 802 mA (MAX)
Continue RX 407 mA (MAX)

ENVIRONMENTAL

Operating Voltage DC 3.3V
Temperature Range -10~ +65°C (Operating) -40 ~ 85°C (Storing)
Humidity (Non-Condensing) 5 ~ 90% (Operating) 5 ~ 90% (Storing)

SIZE

Dimension (MM) 30mm (±0.15mm) x 22mm (±0.15mm) x 2.6mm (±0.3mm)
Weight 2.91 g

SOFTWARE

Driver (MM) Linux (Open Source)
Security WPS2.0, WAPI, WPA, WPA2, WPA3

Electronics trader:


Comarison with L5’s SparkLAN Wi-Fi 6 module:

  • The new one is about 4mm thicker.
  • and weighs about 0.59g less
  • it consumes more power
  • ranges of temperature and humidity are smaller
    Not sure about the connections via USB and especially PCIe.

Maybe I’ll make a table to show it side-by-side, but not today. Don’t expect anything.

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