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What Is Wifi Module Pn? Part Specs

Introduction If you have ever browsed a bill of materials (BOM), an electronics distributor catalog, or a hardware datasheet, you have probably seen a field labeled “PN” next to a WiFi module. So, What Is Wifi Module Pn? In plain terms, it is the part number a

HowToFixWiFi

Introduction

If you have ever browsed a bill of materials (BOM), an electronics distributor catalog, or a hardware datasheet, you have probably seen a field labeled “PN” next to a WiFi module. So, What Is Wifi Module Pn? In plain terms, it is the part number assigned to a specific WiFi module variant by its manufacturer. That short string of letters and numbers is far more than an ID tag. It encodes the module’s hardware revision, interface type, antenna configuration, memory size, certification status, and sometimes even the firmware image it ships with.

Getting the part number wrong can mean ordering a module that will not fit your PCB footprint, that lacks the regulatory certification your product needs, or that speaks a different interface protocol than your microcontroller expects. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about WiFi module part numbers and their specs, from how they are structured to how to choose the right one for your design.

Table of Contents

What Is a WiFi Module Part Number (PN)?

A WiFi module part number is the unique alphanumeric identifier a manufacturer assigns to a specific, sellable configuration of a wireless module. While the underlying silicon (the WiFi chipset) might be the same across several products, the module-level part number captures the complete, tested, ready-to-use package: the RF frontend, antennas or antenna connectors, memory, crystal, shielding can, and firmware.

For example, two modules built around the same chipset can have different part numbers because one ships with an onboard PCB antenna and the other with a u.FL connector for an external antenna. From a procurement and design standpoint, those are two different parts and must be treated as such.

When someone asks “What Is Wifi Module Pn?”, the most accurate short answer is: it is the exact identifier you must quote when ordering, designing, or certifying a WiFi module.

How WiFi Module Part Numbers Are Structured

Although every manufacturer uses its own naming convention, most WiFi module part numbers follow a predictable pattern. Understanding the pattern helps you decode a part number even before opening the datasheet.

  • Family prefix: Identifies the product family or platform, such as ESP, CC, WGM, or CYW.
  • Chipset or series code: Indicates the core silicon generation, for example 8266, 32, 3100, or 4343.
  • Variant suffix: Distinguishes memory size, interface, antenna type, or temperature grade.
  • Revision or packaging code: Sometimes appended to denote a hardware revision or tape-and-reel packaging.

A concrete example helps. Take a part number like ESP32-WROOM-32E. The “ESP32” names the chipset family, “WROOM” names the module form factor, “32” is the base series, and “E” denotes a specific hardware revision with improved RF performance. Change the suffix and you may get a different antenna option or a different flash size.

Common WiFi Module Families and Their Part Numbers

Different vendors dominate different segments of the market. Below are widely used families whose part numbers you will encounter frequently.

  • Espressif: ESP8266 (ESP-01, ESP-12E, ESP-12F) and ESP32 (ESP32-WROOM-32, ESP32-WROVER, ESP32-S3-WROOM-1, ESP32-C3-MINI-1). Part numbers here often encode flash and PSRAM size.
  • Texas Instruments: CC3100, CC3200, CC3220, CC3235. These part numbers are closely tied to SimpleLink SDK compatibility and security features.
  • Silicon Labs: WGM110, WGM160P, WGM1110. The trailing “P” typically indicates a PCB antenna.
  • Infineon (Cypress): CYW43438, CYW43455, CYW4373. These are often sold as modules by partners such as Murata or Laird.
  • Quectel: FC41D, FGH100M, FC04. Quectel part numbers frequently include a letter indicating antenna configuration and a digit indicating memory.
  • u-blox: NINA-W10, NINA-B30, ODIN-W2. The series letter maps to a radio standard and the trailing digits to a variant.

Notice that the same chipset can appear under multiple module part numbers depending on who packaged it. Always design against the module part number, not the bare chipset.

Key Specifications Found on a WiFi Module PN

When you look up a WiFi module part number, the datasheet will list a block of specifications. The most important ones are:

  • WiFi standard: 802.11 b/g/n, or 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax for newer modules.
  • Frequency band: 2.4 GHz only, or dual-band 2.4 and 5 GHz.
  • Interface to host: SPI, SDIO, UART, USB, or I2S for audio.
  • Flash and RAM: On-module non-volatile storage and working memory.
  • Antenna: Onboard PCB antenna, ceramic chip antenna, or external via u.FL/SMA.
  • Transmit power and receive sensitivity: Determines range and link budget.
  • Supply voltage and current: 3.3 V is common, but peak transmit current can exceed 300 mA.
  • Operating temperature: Commercial (0 to 70 C) vs. industrial (-40 to 85 C) vs. automotive (-40 to 125 C).
  • Certifications: FCC, CE, IC, TELEC, SRRC, and sometimes Bluetooth SIG or Wi-Fi Alliance.
  • Form factor and footprint: Module dimensions and pin pitch.

WiFi Module Spec Comparison Table

The table below compares representative WiFi module part numbers across several families. Values are typical and should be verified against the official datasheet before design.

Module PN WiFi Standard Band Host Interface Antenna Temp Range
ESP32-WROOM-32E 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz SPI / SDIO / UART PCB antenna -40 to 85 C
ESP32-WROVER-IE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz SPI / SDIO / UART u.FL connector -40 to 85 C
CC3235MODASF 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz SPI / UART PCB antenna -40 to 85 C
WGM160P 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz SPI / UART / USB PCB antenna -40 to 85 C
CYW43438 (Murata 1DX) 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz SDIO / UART Chip antenna -30 to 85 C
Quectel FC41D 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz SPI / UART / SDIO PCB / IPEX -40 to 85 C

How to Read a WiFi Module Datasheet

A datasheet is the authoritative source for a part number. When you open one, focus on these sections in order.

  1. Ordering information: Confirms which suffix corresponds to which antenna and memory option.
  2. Block diagram: Shows internal components and interfaces.
  3. Pinout and footprint: Critical for PCB layout and mechanical fit.
  4. Electrical characteristics: Voltage, current, RF performance.
  5. Regulatory information: Which certifications are inherited from the module.
  6. Recommended operating conditions: Temperature, humidity, and storage limits.

Pay special attention to the ordering information table. It is where the manufacturer maps each part number suffix to its exact configuration, and it is the single most common place engineers make mistakes.

Step-by-Step: How to Choose the Right WiFi Module PN

Follow this process when selecting a module for a new design.

  1. Define your host interface. Check what your MCU or SoC supports. If only UART is available, a module with an SPI-only interface will not work without extra hardware.
  2. Decide on antenna strategy. Onboard antennas save cost and complexity but may perform poorly inside metal enclosures. External antennas add cost and certification work.
  3. Set temperature and environmental requirements. Industrial and outdoor products need wider temperature ranges and sometimes conformal coating compatibility.
  4. Check certification needs. If you want to reuse the module’s FCC or CE certification, you must use the module exactly as certified, including the antenna.
  5. Verify memory and firmware. Ensure enough flash and RAM for your application and OTA update strategy.
  6. Confirm supply and lifecycle. Check that the part number is not end-of-life and that multiple distributors stock it.
  7. Prototype with the exact PN. Never substitute a “similar” part number without retesting RF performance and certification.

Interface and Pinout Considerations

The host interface is one of the most common sources of design errors. SPI modules typically need four data lines plus chip select and interrupt pins. SDIO modules require a clock and data bus. UART modules are simplest but slowest and may bottleneck throughput.

Pinouts also vary between revisions of the same family. A part number suffix change can move a GPIO or change the boot strapping pins. Always pull the pinout table from the datasheet matching your exact part number, not a generic family document.

Power, Antenna, and Certification Specs

WiFi modules draw significant peak current during transmission. A 2.4 GHz module transmitting at 20 dBm can pull 250 to 400 mA for short bursts. Your power supply and decoupling must handle these peaks without voltage droop, or RF performance and stability will suffer.

Antenna choice directly affects range and certification. Modules certified with a specific antenna allow you to inherit that certification. Swap the antenna and you generally must re-certify, which is expensive and time-consuming.

Regulatory certifications are tied to the part number and the exact antenna used during testing. Always document the certified antenna part number alongside the module part number in your BOM.

WiFi Module PN vs. Module Variant Codes

It is easy to confuse the module part number with variant codes printed on the module label. The label may show a lot code, date code, or firmware version in addition to the part number. Only the part number identifies the sellable configuration. When in doubt, cross-reference the label against the manufacturer’s ordering information table.

Some vendors also use “ordering codes” that differ slightly from the “module part number” used in documentation. Treat the ordering code as the canonical identifier for procurement.

Where to Find and Verify Part Numbers

Reliable sources for WiFi module part numbers and specs include:

  • The manufacturer’s official product page and datasheet.
  • Distributor catalogs such as Digi-Key, Mouser, and Arrow.
  • The FCC ID database, which lists certified module configurations.
  • Reference designs and evaluation kits from the vendor.

When a distributor listing disagrees with the manufacturer datasheet, trust the manufacturer. Distributor data is sometimes auto-generated and can lag behind revisions.

Tips and Best Practices

  • Always quote the full part number including suffixes in your BOM and purchase orders.
  • Keep a “golden” reference unit of the exact part number for comparison during production.
  • Lock the part number in your PCB design files and avoid “equivalent” substitutions without engineering review.
  • Track end-of-life notices and last-time-buy dates for modules in production.
  • Verify firmware version compatibility, since some part numbers ship with different default firmware.
  • Document the certified antenna and cable assembly alongside the module part number.
  • When asking “What Is Wifi Module Pn?” in a team context, make sure everyone agrees on whether you mean the chipset, the module, or the ordering code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the WiFi module part number the same as the chipset number?

No. The chipset number identifies the silicon die, while the module part number identifies the complete, packaged, tested product. Multiple module part numbers can share one chipset.

Can I substitute a module with a different suffix if the chipset matches?

Not safely. Suffix changes often indicate different antennas, memory sizes, or temperature grades. Always verify against the ordering information table.

Do module part numbers include Bluetooth or other radios?

Some do. Many WiFi modules are combo modules that also include Bluetooth or Thread. The part number and datasheet will state which radios are included.

How do I know if a part number is end-of-life?

Check the manufacturer’s product status page and distributor lifecycle indicators. Plan migrations early for production designs.

Why does my module label show a different code than the datasheet?

Labels often include lot codes, date codes, or firmware versions. Cross-reference the printed code with the manufacturer’s decoding guide.

Conclusion

Understanding What Is Wifi Module Pn? is foundational to reliable hardware design. The part number is the single identifier that ties together the chipset, interface, antenna, memory, temperature grade, and certification status of a WiFi module. By reading the ordering information table carefully, verifying specs against the exact part number, and never substituting suffixes casually, you avoid costly redesigns and certification failures. Treat the WiFi module part number as a first-class design artifact, document it thoroughly, and your wireless product will be far more predictable from prototype to production.