WLE900VX-I QCA9890 WiFi 5 (802.11ac Wave 1) 3×3 MIMO Dual Band Selectable Module
Dual-band 3x3 MIMO WiFi 5 (802.11ac Wave 1) module with Qualcomm Atheros QCA9890, up to 1300Mbps at 5GHz and 600Mbps at 2.4GHz. Industrial grade -40C to 70C, MiniPCIe interface.
WLE900VX-I – Dual Band 3×3 WiFi 5 MiniPCIe Module
Product Overview
Dual-band selectable (2.4GHz or 5GHz) 3×3 MIMO WiFi 5 module based on Qualcomm Atheros QCA9890 Peregrine series. Delivers up to 1.3Gbps at 5GHz and 600Mbps at 2.4GHz. Designed for high-speed wireless access points in enterprise, industrial, and outdoor deployment scenarios.
Key Overview
Target Users：Enterprise WLAN system integrators, industrial networking equipment manufacturers, outdoor wireless ISP providers, security and surveillance system builders
Core Strengths：3×3 MIMO with up to 1.3Gbps PHY rate, dual-band selectable operation, industrial grade -40°C to 70°C, ath10k open-source driver support across multiple platforms (Qualcomm, Intel x86, ARM-based SoCs)
Typical Applications：Outdoor access points, wireless backhaul units, industrial automation controllers, transportation networking, enterprise SMB deployments
Technical Specifications
The WLE900VX-I delivers dual-band wireless connectivity with 3×3 spatial streams. Individual chain power calibration ensures consistent RF performance across production units.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Atheros QCA9890 ‘Peregrine’ Series |
| Reference Design | Qualcomm Atheros XB140 |
| Host Interface | MiniPCIe with PCIe 1.1 |
| Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Power Consumption | 5W (Max) |
| Wireless Standard | 2.4GHz: 802.11b/g/n (max 21dBm per chain) 5GHz: 802.11a/n/ac (max 20dBm per chain) |
| MIMO Configuration | 3×3 MIMO |
| Frequency Range | 2.412~2.472GHz (2.4GHz Band) 4.920~5.825GHz (5GHz Band) Selectable dual band operation |
| Peak Data Rates | 2.4GHz: up to 600Mbps (802.11n HT40) 5GHz: up to 1300Mbps (802.11ac VHT80) |
| Channel Spectrum Widths | 2.4GHz: 20/40MHz 5GHz: 20/40/80MHz |
| Modulation Techniques | OFDM: BPSK, QPSK, DBPSK, DQPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM |
| RF Connectors | 3× U.FL Connectors |
| WiFi Features | Spatial Multiplexing, Cyclic-Delay Diversity (CDD), LDPC Codes, MRC, STBC, DFS |
| Compliance Standards | IEEE 802.11d, e, h, i, j, k, r, v time stamp, and w |
| ESD Sensitivity | Class 1C |
| Operating Temperature | -40°C to 70°C (industrial grade) Note: Module can operate up to 90°C, but 20°C safety margin recommended for long-term reliability |
| Storage Temperature | -40°C to 90°C |
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 95% (non-condensing) |
| Storage Humidity | Max. 90% (non-condensing) |
| Dimensions | 29.85 × 50.8 × 3.2 mm (L × W × H) |
| Certifications | FCC (USA), CE RED (EU), IC (Canada), REACH, RoHS |
Key Features
3×3 MIMO with 1.3Gbps Peak Rate
Three spatial streams deliver up to 1300Mbps at 5GHz (802.11ac VHT80) and 600Mbps at 2.4GHz. Ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications like video streaming and large file transfers.
Dual-Band Selectable Operation
Switch between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands depending on deployment requirements. 2.4GHz offers better wall penetration while 5GHz provides cleaner spectrum and higher throughput.
Industrial Temperature Grade
Built for harsh environments with -40°C to 70°C operating range. Suitable for outdoor cabinets, industrial control panels, and temperature-uncontrolled venues.
ath10k Open-Source Driver Support
Works with OpenWRT/LEDE ath10k drivers on multiple platforms: Qualcomm-based WPJ series, Intel x86, NXP ARM, Marvell ARM. No vendor lock-in.
Individually Calibrated RF
Each unit undergoes individual calibration for transmit power and receive sensitivity. Ensures consistent performance across large deployments.
DFS & 4.9GHz Support
Dynamic Frequency Selection for radar avoidance in 5GHz band. Optional 4.9GHz public safety band support for specialized applications.
Model Variants
| Model | Description | Temperature Range | Item Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLE900VX-I | Industrial Grade, 3×3 MIMO, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4GHz/5GHz, MiniPCIe, 3 U.FL connectors | -40°C to 70°C | WLE900VX 7BA000S-I |
Target Applications
- Outdoor wireless access points and base stations
- Wireless backhaul for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint links
- Industrial automation and control systems (IIoT)
- Transportation networking (rail, bus, fleet management)
- Enterprise and SMB WiFi coverage systems
- Security and surveillance camera networks
- Public safety and 4.9GHz band deployments
Comparison Table
| Parameter | WLE900VX-I | Typical 2×2 AC Module | Typical 2×2 AX Module |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIMO | 3×3 MIMO | 2×2 MIMO | 2×2 MIMO |
| Max Data Rate (5GHz) | 1300Mbps (802.11ac) | 867Mbps (802.11ac) | 1201Mbps (802.11ax) |
| Max Data Rate (2.4GHz) | 600Mbps (802.11n) | 300Mbps (802.11n) | 574Mbps (802.11ax) |
| Channel Width (5GHz) | 20/40/80MHz | 20/40/80MHz | 20/40/80/160MHz |
| TX Power (5GHz, per chain) | 20dBm | 17~20dBm | 17~23dBm |
| Operating Temp | -40°C to 70°C | -20°C to 70°C | 0°C to 70°C |
| Interface | MiniPCIe (PCIe 1.1) | MiniPCIe / M.2 | M.2 / PCIe |
Ordering Information
| Model | Description | Temperature | Ordering Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WLE900VX-I | Industrial Grade 3×3 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz MiniPCIe card, 3 U.FL connectors | -40°C to +70°C | WLE900VX 7BA000S-I |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does WLE900VX-I support MU-MIMO?
No, WLE900VX-I is based on 802.11ac Wave 1 (QCA9890) which does not support MU-MIMO. MU-MIMO was introduced in 802.11ac Wave 2 chipsets. For MU-MIMO capability, you would need a Wave 2 or 802.11ax (WiFi 6) solution.
Q: What platforms are supported by WLE900VX-I?
WLE900VX-I is validated on CompexWRT (Qualcomm-based WPJ344, WPJ558, WPJ563, WPJ564, WPQ864, WPQ865) and OpenWRT/LEDE with ath10k drivers. It also works on third-party platforms including Intel x86 and ARM processors (NXP, Marvell) that have ath10k or Qualcomm proprietary driver support.
Q: Can this module operate in both 2.4GHz and 5GHz simultaneously?
WLE900VX-I is a selectable dual-band module, not concurrent dual-band. It can operate on either 2.4GHz or 5GHz at any given time, but not both simultaneously. For concurrent dual-band operation, you would need two modules or a different chipset design.
Q: What is the difference between this and the consumer-grade QCA9880 modules?
WLE900VX-I uses QCA9890 which is the industrial-grade variant of QCA9880. Key differences include: wider operating temperature range (-40°C to 70°C vs typical 0°C to 70°C), stricter quality binning, individually calibrated for consistency, and FCC/CE/IC certifications pre-obtained.
Q: Does this module support 4.9GHz public safety band?
Yes, the module supports 4.920GHz operation as part of its extended 5GHz frequency range. This makes it suitable for public safety and first responder applications where 4.9GHz band is allocated.
Q: What are the dimensions and can it fit in standard M.2 slots?
WLE900VX-I dimensions are 29.85 × 50.8 × 3.2 mm (L × W × H). This is a full-size MiniPCIe form factor, not M.2. The module has a MiniPCIe edge connector (PCIe 1.1). It will not fit in M.2 slots without an adapter.
