The network module is a series of super cost-effective self-developed modules provided by Tuya. The network module supports multiple communication protocols, sizes, working temperatures, and welding methods. It is widely used in various product types and development methods. You can choose flexibly according to the product scenarios.
According to different protocol types, specifications, and sizes, working temperature, etc., network modules can be divided into different series. This chapter introduces the classification and naming rules of network modules, which is convenient for developers to quickly understand and select the appropriate network module.
| Agreement type | Description | Scenarios |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi 2.4G | General 2.4G Wi-Fi | 2.4G routing environment |
| Low-power Wi-Fi | Low-power 2.4G Wi-Fi | 2.4G Wi-Fi products that require product power consumption, usually battery-powered 2.4G Wi-Fi products |
| Wi-Fi +BLE dual mode | 2.4G Wi-Fi + BLE 4.2 dual-mode | 2.4G router + mobile phone Bluetooth control environment |
| Wi-Fi 2.4G&5G Dual Band | 2.4G&5G Wi-Fi Dual-Band | 2.4G+5G Dual Band Router Environment |
| Wi-Fi 2.4G&5G+BLE dual-mode dual-band | 2.4G&5G Wi-Fi dual-band + BLE 4.2 protocol | dual-mode dual-band 2.4G+5G dual-band router + mobile phone Bluetooth control environment |
| BLE single point | BLE point-to-point communication | Bluetooth point-to-point communication scenario |
| BLE Mesh | BLE Mesh 4.2 | Mobile Bluetooth/Bluetooth Gateway Batch Control Scene |
| GPRS | GPRS | Long-distance outdoor scene covered by 2G network |
| NB-IoT | NB-IoT | Low-power, long-distance outdoor scene covered by NB-IoT network |
| SUB-G | 433MHz, 868Mhz | Low power consumption, low speed, high penetration rate indoor and outdoor environment use |
The general naming rule for network modules is: (TY) + communication type + chip platform + series + performance, for example: TYWB3S corresponds to TY (Tuya) + W (WiFi) + B (BLE) + 3 (3 series) + S (high performance) ).
The naming rule for dedicated modules is: communication type + chip platform + dedicated name, for example, WBLC9 corresponds to W(Wi-Fi)+B(BLE)+LC(Light Control)
Some modules only use some fields of the above naming rules. The detailed naming rules of each series of modules are explained as follows.
Wi-Fi protocol module
| Series | Naming rules | Description |
|---|---|---|
| WR Series | W(Wi-Fi) + R(Realtek platform) | Realtek platform 2.4G Wi-Fi module |
| XR Series | XR (Xinzhilian Platform) | Xinzhilian Platform Low Power 2.4G Wi-Fi Module |
| WE Series | W(Wi-Fi) + E(Espressif platform) | Espressif Platform 2.4G Wi-Fi Module |
| RD series | RD (RDA platform) | RDA chip platform 2.4G Wi-Fi module |
| TYJW Series | TY(Tuya)+ J(Adapter Board)+ W(Wi-Fi) | Wi-Fi Module with adapter board |
| LC Series | L(Light)+ C(Control) | 2.4G Wi-Fi module for lighting products |
| VWXR Series | V(Voice)+W(Wi-Fi)+XR (Corelink Platform) | 2.4G Wi-Fi Voice Solution Module |
Wi-Fi + BLE protocol module
| Series | Naming rules | Description |
|---|---|---|
| WB Series | W(Wi-Fi) + B(BLE) | 2.4G Wi-Fi + BLE Dual Mode Module |
| WBR Series | W(Wi-Fi) + B(BLE) + R(Realtek) | Realtek platform 2.4G Wi-Fi + BLE dual-mode module |
| JWBR Series | J(Adapter board)+W(Wi-Fi) + B(BLE) +R(realtek) | Realtek platform with adapter board 2.4G Wi-Fi + BLE dual-mode module |
| CB Series | C(Combo)+B(BEKEN) | Broadcom Integrated Platform 2.4G Wi-Fi + BLE Dual Mode Module |
| CR Series | C(Combo)+R (Realtek) | Realtek Platform 2.4G Wi-Fi + BLE Dual Mode Module |
BLE protocol module
| series | naming rules | description |
|---|---|---|
| BT Series | B(BLE)+T(Telink) | Telink platform Bluetooth standard protocol module |
| BN Series | B(BLE)+N(Nordic) | Nordic platform Bluetooth standard protocol module |
| BR Series | B(BLE)+R(Realtek) | Realtek platform Bluetooth standard protocol module |
| TYBT Series | TY（Tuya）+B（BLE）+T（Telink） | Telink platform Bluetooth Tuya private protocol module |
Zigbee protocol module
| Series | Naming rules | Description |
|---|---|---|
| ZS Series | Z(Zigbee)+S(silicon labs) | Silicon MG21 platform Zigbee module |
| ZN Series | Z(Zigbee)+N(NXP) | NXP Platform Module |
| TYZS Series | TY(Tuya)+Z(Zigbee)+S(silicon labs) | Silicon 13P72 platform Zigbee module |
| ZT Series | Z（Zigbee）+T（Telink） | Telink platform Zigbee module |
Sub-G protocol module
| Series | Naming rules | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SS Series | S (Sub-G) + S (silicon labs) | Silicon SUB-G Module |
GPRS protocol module
| Series | Naming rules | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GR series | G(GPRS)+ R(RDA platform) | RDA platform GPRS module |
NB-IoT protocol module
| Series | Naming rules | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NM series | N(NB-IoT)+M(MTK platform) | MTK platform NB-IoT module |
| NE Series | N(NB-IoT)+E(Mobile Core Platform) | Mobile Core Platform NB-IoT Module |
CoB scheme
| Naming rules | Description |
|---|---|
| C(Chip) + O(on) + B(Board) | The chip is directly integrated on the PCB board |
The network module supports multiple antenna types such as onboard PCB antenna, onboard ceramic antenna, external spring antenna, external IPEX antenna, an external monopole antenna, etc.
Developers can choose the appropriate antenna type module according to the product structure and volume requirements.
| Antenna type | Support module | Description |
|---|---|---|
| IPEX Antenna | Module with the module suffix -IPEX | The signal has good directivity, high efficiency, easy to adjust the antenna position, manual installation is required |
| Monopole Antenna | LC5 Series Module | Flexible antenna, easy to adjust the antenna position, manual welding is required |
| Spring antenna | LC6, LC7 series modules | Easy installation, good standing wave performance, manual welding is required |
| Onboard ceramic antenna | LC8, LC9 series modules | Small size, no manual welding |
| Onboard PCB antenna | Except for the above series, the remaining modules are all onboard PCB antennas | Low cost, no manual soldering |
Support multiple welding methods such as patch, in-line, pin, etc., developers can choose the appropriate module according to the product PCB scheme.
| Welding method | Support series | Description |
|---|---|---|
| SMD | 1, 3, 5, 7 series | SMD welding |
| Vertical insertion | 2, LC4, LC5 series | Vertical insertion welding |
| SMD/pins | 1L, 2L, 3L, 4 series | SMD soldering and pin soldering are also possible |
| Pins | LC2, LC7 series | Pin welding |
| Side Insertion | 5P, LC6, LC8, 8P Series | Side Insertion Welding |
Support a variety of size specifications, developers can choose the appropriate module according to their product size requirements.
| Volume type | Support series | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Small size | COB solution, LC5, LC6, LC8, LC9, 15 series | Suitable for solutions with high volume space requirements |
| Conventional volume | 1S/L, 2S/L, LC2, 3S/L, 4, LC4, 5, 5P, 6, 7, LC7, 8P series | Suitable for solutions with ample volume space |
Supports up to 105 ℃ operating temperature, developers can choose the appropriate module according to the product’s use environment
| Series | Working temperature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Non-L series modules | The maximum operating temperature does not exceed 85℃ | Products suitable for normal temperature working environment |
| L series module | The maximum working temperature does not exceed 105℃ | Suitable for high temperature working environment products, such as light source products |
The types of modules provided by Tuya are rich and diverse, and developers need to choose the appropriate module according to their product usage scenarios, volume specifications, working temperature, and other requirements.
This chapter takes household filament lamp products as an example and introduces how to choose a suitable module among Tuya’s many modules.
| Specifications | Description | Applicable series |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol | There is usually a router in the home environment, so choose Wi-Fi /Wi-Fi+BLE protocol | Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi+BLE module |
| Volume | The filament lamp PCB is installed in the lamp holder, and the module volume is required to be very small | COB solution, LC5, LC6, LC8, LC9, 15 series |
| Antenna type | The filament lamp PCB is installed in the metal lamp holder, and the antenna needs to be exposed externally, and the position of the antenna needs to be adjusted according to the structure | External monopole module |
| Working temperature | The working environment of a filament lamp is usually greater than 85℃, you need to choose L series high temperature/lighting special module | L series/LC series module |
Summing up all the specifications and parameter requirements, the final selection of WBLC5 series modules.
Create development-free products on the Tuya IoT platform, select the appropriate module and configure the firmware, Tuya will burn according to the configured firmware information, provide a fully functional network module, and use it directly.
Create custom MCU SDK docking products on the Tuya IoT platform. Tuya provides modules for burning general firmware (for transparent transmission) and uses it with the developer’s own MCU.
Create custom module SDK docking products on the Tuya IoT platform. Tuya will provide empty firmware modules. Developers will burn the functional firmware developed by themselves into the modules for use.