9 LAN Module Manufacturers in 2023
This section provides an overview for lan modules as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 9 lan module manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
What Is a LAN Module?
A LAN module is a small module board that can perform TCP/IP communication processing, which is essential for network communication, entirely within the module.
A LAN module can be divided into two types: those that are connected to a wired LAN and those that support wireless LAN (wireless LAN module).
Wireless LAN module is equipped with a wireless communication module in addition to TCP/IP communication functions to support wireless communication. Encrypted communications such as WEP, TKIP, and AES are also supported.
The LAN module frees the main CPU from such processing, allowing it to concentrate on other tasks.
Uses of LAN Module
The following description focuses on wireless LAN modules, which are currently in relatively common use.
Wireless LAN modules consists of a CPU for module control, a TCP/IP communication module, a wireless communication module, encryption support, and in many cases, a chip antenna for wireless communication. Usually, an external antenna is connected to the end of this chip antenna.
Some modules are also equipped with serial communication interfaces such as UART or SPI to communicate with the CPU for system control.
Wireless LAN modules, also known as Wi-Fi modules, support standards such as IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
Principle of LAN Modules
Wireless LAN modules can only be said to be "Wi-Fi certified" if they have passed the tests specified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, a group of manufacturers and others who sell devices equipped with Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi Alliance is a group of manufacturers and others that sell devices equipped with Wi-Fi.
When wireless modules were first released, different manufacturers had different specifications, and in some cases, interoperability was not possible, which was very inconvenient for users.
With the establishment of the Wi-Fi Alliance certification system, devices that pass the test are guaranteed to be interconnected, allowing users to use them with peace of mind.
The Wi-Fi Alliance's test standards for wireless modules include IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac. Incidentally, IEEE (IEEE) is the name of an organization that promotes standardization of technologies in the electrical and information engineering fields.
IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac are sometimes abbreviated as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac, respectively.
Each of these is standardized. The main differences are the speed of wireless communication, the frequency band used, and the number of channels.
The first two standards, 802.11a and 802.11b, were established in 1999. 802.11a uses the 5 GHz band and has a maximum transmission speed of 54 Mbps, while 802.11b uses the 2.4 GHz band and has a maximum transmission speed of 22 Mbps.
Other LAN Modules Information
1. LAN Category
There are two types of LAN modules: wired and wireless. Each type is used for different purposes, but when using a wired LAN modules, it is necessary to pay attention to the category of the LAN modules.
The LAN category is a standard for LAN cables and LAN modules. The higher the number, the faster the transmission speed, and currently the most commonly used categories are CAT6 and CAT5e, which are called Gigabit Ethernet. Recently, 10Gbps CAT7, called 10GBASE-T, is also being used. The latest category is called CAT8, which supports 40 Gbps.
When choosing LAN modules, it is necessary to select a product according to which category the environment in which it will be used is built on the premise. If you choose a product that supports only a lower category than your environment, you will not be able to take full advantage of its performance. For example, if LAN modules that supports only CAT6 is selected for a CAT7 environment, only 1 Gbps communication can be achieved at the maximum.
2. LAN Modules for IoT
In recent years, IoT, in which all devices and components are connected to the Internet, has been attracting attention. As a result, many LAN modules for the IoT are now on the market.
LAN modules for the IoT are characterized by their small size and low power consumption. LAN modules for the IoT are about 20 mm × 15 mm in size. In some cases, the LAN modules may be installed in a battery-operated environment with no power supply, so power efficiency is also important.
One of the features of LAN modules for the IoT is that some products can become access points themselves. This makes it possible to acquire and refer to information on devices directly from inspection tablets and other devices.
List of 9 LAN Module Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
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- United States of America
- Japan
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Intel Corporation
NV 120F - 25Gb Ethernet LAN Module
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Schmersal GmbH & Co. KG
2N L8 LAN MODULE
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HUNTER INDUSTRIES
LAN Module
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Sony Professional
USB wireless LAN module
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LAN Module Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Number of Employees
- Epson America, Inc.: 77,642
- NEXCOM: 202
Newly Established Company
- NEXCOM: 1992 (31 years ago)
- HUNTER INDUSTRIES: 1981 (42 years ago)
- Epson America, Inc.: 1942 (81 years ago)
Company with a History
- Epson America, Inc.: 1942 (81 years ago)
- HUNTER INDUSTRIES: 1981 (42 years ago)
- NEXCOM: 1992 (31 years ago)
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