Abstract

The GigaDevice GD32VW553-UNIFI is a new, highly competitive wireless IoT module based on an integrated GD32VW553 RISC-V microcontroller, available at an ultra-low price point of approximately $2+. This module uniquely offers both 2.4 GHz WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 LE connectivity, bringing cutting-edge wireless standards to the budget IoT market. The device features a 160 MHz RISC-V CPU, 320KB of SRAM, and 4MB of on-chip flash storage, offering robust performance for complex embedded applications.

Report

GigaDevice GD32VW553-UNIFI Analysis Report

Key Highlights

• Ultra-Competitive Pricing: The module is positioned aggressively in the market, available for around $2+, significantly lowering the barrier to entry for advanced wireless standards.
• Advanced Dual Connectivity: Supports modern 2.4 GHz WiFi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2 LE in a single integrated solution.
• RISC-V Core: Utilizes the GigaDevice GD32VW553 microcontroller, reinforcing the RISC-V architecture's presence in high-volume, cost-sensitive wireless IoT.
• Integrated Memory: Features substantial on-chip storage with 4096 KB (4MB) flash and 320KB SRAM.
• Security Standard Support: Compatible with 802.11i security, including robust WPA3 authentication services.

Technical Details

• SoC: GigaDevice GD32VW553.
• CPU: 32-bit RISC-V processor clocked up to 160 MHz. It supports extensive instruction set extensions including RV32I/M/A/F/D/C/P/B.
• Wireless Standards: WiFi 802.11b/g/n/ax compatible; Bluetooth 5.2 LE (2 Mbps maximum rate).
• WiFi Performance: Achieves link rates up to 114.7 Mbps (using 802.11ax MCS up to MCS9) over a single antenna 1x1 stream in 20MHz channels.
• I/O: Exposes 18 general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins.
• Antenna Options: Available with either a PCB trace antenna or an IPEX connector.
• Temperature Range: Offered in standard (-40 to +85°C) and industrial (-40 to +105°C) temperature grades.

Implications

• Accelerated WiFi 6 Adoption: The GD32VW553-UNIFI module significantly democratizes access to WiFi 6 technology. Its $2+ pricing makes it feasible for manufacturers to bypass older 802.11n solutions entirely, driving faster adoption of the more efficient and higher-performance 802.11ax standard in mass-market IoT devices.
• Validation of RISC-V in Wireless: GigaDevice continues to be a crucial player in the RISC-V ecosystem by successfully integrating powerful wireless stacks (WiFi 6/BT 5.2 LE) onto a native RISC-V core. This proves that RISC-V can compete directly with established ARM-based wireless MCUs in the most price-sensitive, highly-integrated market segments.
• Raising the Bar for Budget IoT: The combination of 160 MHz processing speed, 4MB of flash, and dual modern wireless standards in such a low-cost module establishes a new, high-value baseline for future IoT platform development, forcing competitors to enhance features or lower costs dramatically.