MPUs & MCUs
Figure 4. Wi-Fi 5GHz spectrum
Figure 7. Wi-Fi ping round-trip latency
Figure 8. Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz current consumption measurement Power consumption Figure 5. Wi-Fi data throughput - UDP RX
band experiences less environmental noise.
Efficient spectrum utilization: Devices operating in 5GHz can take advantage of advanced Wi-Fi 6 features such as Multi- User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA).
In real-world terms, this means faster downloads, smoother streaming, and more responsive IoT applications, especially in environments with many connected devices. This is clearly visible from the measurements depicted for UDP in Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 6. Wi-Fi data throughput - UDP TX Latency
In performance testing, the 5GHz band demonstrated a 2.5x reduction in ping round-trip time compared to 2.4GHz. This significant improvement in latency is driven by several key factors: faster transmission of management frames that reduced airtime usage, lower interference, which leads to fewer retransmissions and smoother communication, smaller coverage cells that decreased client contention, and advanced MAC/PHY features such as OFDMA and MU-MIMO, which allow multiple devices to transmit simultaneously and more efficiently.
IoT devices are designed to conserve energy while maintaining cloud connectivity. To stay connected, these devices continuously monitor network beacons and send periodic keep- alive signals that confirm their presence and readiness to communicate. The 5GHz band offers a distinct advantage in this context with faster transmission rates for beacons and other management frames, a reduced interference allows devices to complete active sessions faster and enjoy longer low-power sleep periods. This results in approximately 20 per cent lower power consumption, as depicted in Figure 6, the current consumption for 2.4GHz is 40mA average compared to the 5GHz measurement of 34mA average.
Dual-band support: balancing performance and coverage While the 5GHz band excels in data throughput performance, signal integrity, and reduced power consumption, its shorter wavelength restricts range and wall penetration. By contrast, the 2.4GHz band, with its superior propagation characteristics, is ideal for long-range applications like smart meters and environmental sensors, with restrictions on throughput performance and high-power consumption.
Supporting both bands provides the flexibility needed to meet the diverse requirements of modern IoT deployments, balancing throughput, coverage, and energy efficiency.
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Renesas RA6W1: A dual-band solution for modern IoT
Renesas has expanded its microcontroller portfolio for advanced IoT architectures with the RA6W1, an ultra-low power, dual- band Wi-Fi 6 MCU designed for continuous connectivity.
The RA6W1 integrates Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, delivering: 2.4GHz band for extended coverage and robust connectivity in high-interference environments.
5GHz band for high data throughput, reduced latency, and optimized power efficiency.
This MCU leverages Wi-Fi 6 enhancements such as OFDMA for efficient channel utilization and Target Wake Time (TWT) for energy savings in battery-powered devices. Combined with advanced RF performance and dual-band flexibility, RA6W1 ensures deterministic, low-latency communication across diverse IoT applications — from smart home ecosystems to industrial automation and mission-critical systems.
For detailed specifications and design resources, visit the RA6W1 product page and explore Renesas’ comprehensive portfolio of dual-band Wi-Fi 6 solutions engineered for scalable, resilient, and future-ready IoT deployments.
https://www.renesas.com/en Components in Electronics April 2026 15
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