Advantech, a global leader in industrial IoT and embedded computing, has announced a strategic partnership with Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) to develop a “compliant and deployment-ready” validation framework for industrial Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) modules. By combining R&S expertise in signaling and RF measurements, pre-compliance testing, and OTA/interoperability validation with Advantech’s field-proven wireless platforms, the collaboration aims to help customers streamline multi-region certifications, lower deployment risks, and accelerate time-to-market.
Wi-Fi 7 introduces high throughput, low latency, and exceptional connection reliability. Technologies such as Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and 320 MHz ultra-wide channels enable real-time, interference-resistant communication between devices, sensors, and edge systems. Advantech’s AIW-173 industrial Wi-Fi 7 module series targets applications requiring strict performance standards, including medical imaging, robotics/AMRs, rugged endpoints, and professional AV.
Jerry Chiang, Director, Embedded IoT Group, Advantech, said: “By moving design validation, pre-compliance, and OTA/interoperability earlier into R&D and pre-pilot stages, we ensure a verifiable and scalable wireless experience and enable customers to adopt Wi-Fi 7 faster, across more countries and regions.”
Sean Ting, Senior Regional Sales Manager, Rohde & Schwarz, said: “R&S has been specializing in wireless testing and regulatory verification for a long time. We are excited to assist Advantech’s Wi-Fi 7 module development process and to provide support on important Wi-Fi 7 features like MLO and 320 MHz. The industrial markets also need support for high data throughput to fulfill unmanned applications. Our next-generation wireless communication tester CMX500 provides Advantech with substantial Wi-Fi 7 verification features and supports their demanding time to market goals.”
Collaboration Highlights
- Compliance Acceleration: Pre-compliance with automated test mapping against Wi-Fi 7 metrics and common regulatory requirements helps shorten multi-region certification cycles and reduce rework.
- Field-grade Reliability: Focus on MLO, 320 MHz, 6 GHz operation, true-MIMO/multi-stream, roaming/handover, and multi-device coexistence, with OTA and interoperability testing to ensure stable performance in complex environments such as factories, hospitals, and public facilities.
- Quality Assurance (Pre-production): A unified flow, signaling/RF + OTA/interoperability + pre-compliance, is introduced in R&D pilot stages to identify risks early and shorten debugging cycles before mass production.
Typical Application Scenarios
- Medical Imaging & Operating Rooms: High-resolution streaming and low-latency control in interference-intense environments, validated via OTA/interoperability and coexistence testing.
- Robotics/AMR & Smart Manufacturing: MLO, 320 MHz, and optimized handover improve connectivity on the move, supporting factory NPN and mixed-band operations.
- Rugged Endpoints & ProAV: Validated concurrency and interference resilience for long-duration, long-range, high-quality transmission across large venues or outdoors.n
