Quectel has announced the launch of a new standalone RISC-V microcontroller and Wi-Fi module for those working on integrating smart home systems with Matter-compliant controllers, including full support for the Alexa Connect Kit (ACK) Software Development Kit (SDK) for Matter: the FLM263D.
“Revolutionizing connectivity in the smart home landscape, our latest FLM263D module sets a new standard for seamless integration,” claims Quectel’s president and chief sales officer Norbert Muhrer of the company’s newest device. “It also empowers developers with robust support for the ACK SDK for Matter, ensuring unparalleled interoperability and innovation in the IoT [Internet of Things] ecosystem.”
Quectel is looking to power Matter-compatible Wi-Fi and Bluetooth gadgets with the new FLM263D, which includes a 320MHz RISC-V microcontroller. (📷: Quectel)
“We created ACK to make it simpler for device makers to build smart home devices with a fully managed service without having deep expertise in multiple wireless protocols, complex cloud connectivity, and the necessary maintenance of cloud infrastructure,” adds Amazon’s director for smart home Ben McInnis. “We are excited about this launch because Quectel’s FLM263D adds to ACK’s portfolio of available solutions and offers more choices for device makers.”
The FLM263D itself is a compact single-band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 Low Energy (BLE) module with an integrated single-core RISC-V microcontroller running at up to 320MHz. There’s 512kB of static RAM (SRAM) and 4MB of flash, but while the company promises full support for Matter-compatible controllers including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings it lacks the sub-gigahertz radio needed for direct Matter connectivity — meaning it will need to communicate via a gateway over Wi-Fi or BLE instead.
The module is designed with a compact footprint but easily-accessible GPIO, and offers a broad temperature range. (📷: Quectel)
The module also includes five general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins, brought out to a castellated header to the board’s base, with support for I2C communication and pulse-width modulation (PWM). Quectel is also promising a wide operating temperature range of -40°C to +105°C (-40°F to 221°F) — something that makes the module suitable for installation inside devices like smart bulbs, which run hotter than your average smart home appliance.
More information on the module is available on the Quectel website; pricing starts at $3.50 per module with a 500-module minimum order.
