Product Overview
The BLACK bean is a Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac Wave2) dual-band wireless LAN and Bluetooth 5.0 PCIE M.2 card. It is optimized for small size and low power consumption, based on the Qualcomm QCA9377-5 chipset. This chipset integrates a dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) 1x1 Wi-Fi 5 radio supporting MU-MIMO and Bluetooth 5.0 transceivers in a very small form factor (30 x 16.5mm). The radio supports advanced power saving techniques. Bluetooth supports both Class1 and Class2 transmissions. Advanced coexistence mechanisms ensure seamless operation between Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, providing good transmission quality and high performance. BLACK bean drivers are available for Linux, Windows 10, and Android operating systems.
Image Description: A photograph of the BLACK bean module, a compact M.2 form factor card with the Qualcomm chipset visible, labeled with SKU, Model, MAC, FCC ID, and IC information, and indicating it is Made in EU.
Quick Specs
- Wi-Fi 5 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), 2.4 and 5 GHz, 1x1 SISO, 433 Mbps data rate, up to 20 dBm output power
- 20/40/80 MHz channel size support
- MU-MIMO
- Bluetooth v5.0, BLE, ANT+ and backwards compatibility with BT v1.x and BT v2.x + enhanced data rate
- Connector: Murata HSC type P/N MM4829-2702RB, compatible with I-PEX MHF4 P/N 20449-001E
- Linux, Windows and Android drivers available
- Based on QCA9377-5 chipset
- Commercial temperature range 0 to +70 °C
- Very small form factor (30 by 16.5 mm)
- M.2 16530 A+E key WIFI/BT card
- Available interfaces: Bluetooth USB1.1, WLAN PCIE
1. Block Diagram
Block Diagram Description: The module's architecture includes a +3.3V power input, WLAN PCIE and BT USB1.1 interfaces, a QCA9377-5 CHIPSET, a DIPLEXER, and an RF switch. Connections are made to a Main WLAN/BT antenna connector and a Diversity WLAN/BT antenna connector.
2. Module Pinout and Pin Description
Detailed pin assignments are provided in the table below.
| Pin | Name | I/O | Description |
|---|
| 1 | GND | | Ground connection |
| 2 | VDDIO_AO | O | 3.3V power supply |
| 3 | DP_USB_BT | I/O | Bluetooth USB 1.1 differential pair |
| 4 | VDDIO_AO | O | 3.3V power supply |
| 5 | DM_USB_BT | I/O | Bluetooth USB 1.1 differential pair |
| 6 | WL_LED | O | Signal for external Wireless charging UART circuit. |
| 7 | GND | | Ground connection |
| 16 | BT_LED | O | Signal for external Bluetooth charging UART circuit. |
| 17 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 18 | GND | | Ground connection |
| 19-23 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 32 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 33 | GND | | Ground connection |
| 34 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 35 | PCIE_RX_P | I | PCIe differential receive pin, positive |
| 36 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 37 | PCIE_RX_N | I | PCIe differential receive pin, negative |
| 38 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 39 | GND | | Ground connection |
| 40 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 41 | PCIE_TX_P_GF | O | PCIe differential transmit pin, positive |
| 42 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 43 | PCIE_TX_N_GF | O | PCIe differential transmit pin, negative |
| 44 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 45 | GND | | Ground connection |
| 46 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 47 | PCIE_REFCLK_P | I | Differential reference clock, positive |
| 48 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 49 | PCIE_REFCLK_N | I | Differential reference clock, negative |
| 50 | N.C. | | Not connected |
| 51 | GND | | Ground connection |
| 52 | PCIE_RESET_L | | PCIe reset with weak pull-down |
| 53 | PCIE_CLKREQ_L | O | PCIe Reference to clock request |
| 54 | BT_RF_KILL | | Turn off Bluetooth RF analog and front-end. Active low. |
| 55 | PCIE_WAKE_L | | Request to service a function-initiated wake event |
| 56 | WLAN_RF_KILL | | Turn off WLAN RF analog and front-end. Active low. |
| 57 | GND | | Ground connection |
Pinout Diagrams Description: Visual representations of the module's pin layout on the top and bottom sides, showing the arrangement of pins for the M.2 connector (A Key and E Key) and antenna connectors.
WLAN/BT Output Description: A diagram illustrating the module's output connections for main and diversity antennas.
3. Electrical Characteristics
3.1. Power Consumption
Low-Power States
| Mode | State | PCIe (mA) |
|---|
| Standby | Deep sleep | 0.17 |
| Power save, 2.4 GHz | DTIM = 1 | 1.01 |
| DTIM = 3 | 0.62 |
| DTIM = 10 | 0.41 |
| Power save, 5 GHz | DTIM = 1 | 1.15 |
| DTIM = 3 | 0.69 |
| DTIM = 10 | 0.49 |
Bluetooth Power Consumption
| Description | USB 1.1 (mA) |
|---|
| Continuous Rx burst | 22.5 |
| Continuous Tx Class 2 (+4 dBm) | 38.5 |
| Continuous Tx Class 2 (+12.5 dBm) | 64.5 |
| 1.28 sec page scan (non-interlaced) | 0.36 |
| 1.28 sec LE ADV | 0.23 |
| 1.28 sec Sniff as master | 0.22 |
| 1.28 sec Sniff as slave | 0.27 |
2.4GHz RX/TX Power Consumption
| Rate | PCIe (mA), RX/TX |
|---|
| 802.11b, 1 Mbps | 67 / 366 |
| 802.11g, 54 Mbps | 68 / 342 |
| 802.11n, MCS0 HT20 | 74 / 351 |
| 802.11n, MCS7 HT20 | 78 / 336 |
2.4GHz RX/TX Power Consumption (Continued)
| Rate | PCIe (mA), RX/TX |
|---|
| 802.11n, MCS0 HT20 | 97 / 497 |
| 802.11n, MCS7 HT20 | 101 / 432 |
| 802.11ac, MCS9 VHT40 | 107 / 427 |
| 802.11ac, MCS7 VHT80 | 136 / 438 |
| 802.11ac, MCS9 VHT80 | 135 / 430 |
3.2. Radio Characteristics
2.4 GHz 802.11AC (20 MHz)
| 7.2 | 14.4 | 21.7 | 28.9 | 43.3 | 57.8 | 65 | 72.2 | 86.7 |
|---|
| Data rate (Mbps) | 7.2 | 14.4 | 21.7 | 28.9 | 43.3 | 57.8 | 65 | 72.2 | 86.7 |
| Sensitivity (dBm) | -92 | -89 | -87 | -83 | -80 | -76 | -75 | -73 | -69 |
| Output power (dBm) | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 15 |
2.4 GHz 802.11AC (40 MHz)
| 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 90 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 180 | 200 |
|---|
| Data rate (Mbps) | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 90 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 180 | 200 |
| Sensitivity (dBm) | -88 | -86 | -84 | -81 | -77 | -73 | -72 | -70 | -66 | -64 |
| Output power (dBm) | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 |
5 GHz 802.11AC (20 MHz)
| 7.2 | 14.4 | 21.7 | 28.9 | 43.3 | 57.8 | 65 | 72.2 | 86.7 |
|---|
| Data rate (Mbps) | 7.2 | 14.4 | 21.7 | 28.9 | 43.3 | 57.8 | 65 | 72.2 | 86.7 |
| Sensitivity (dBm) | -91 | -87 | -85 | -82 | -78 | -74 | -73 | -71 | -67 |
| Output power (dBm) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
5 GHz 802.11AC (40 MHz)
| 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 90 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 180 | 200 |
|---|
| Data rate (Mbps) | 15 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 90 | 120 | 135 | 150 | 180 | 200 |
| Sensitivity (dBm) | -87 | -85 | -82 | -79 | -76 | -72 | -70 | -68 | -65 | -63 |
| Output power (dBm) | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
5 GHz 802.11AC (80 MHz)
| 32.5 | 65 | 97.5 | 130 | 195 | 260 | 292.5 | 325 | 390 | 433.3 |
|---|
| Data rate (Mbps) | 32.5 | 65 | 97.5 | 130 | 195 | 260 | 292.5 | 325 | 390 | 433.3 |
| Sensitivity (dBm) | -84 | -81 | -78 | -76 | -72 | -68 | -67 | -65 | -61 | -59 |
| Output power (dBm) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
Bluetooth
| Frequency range | 2.402-2.480 GHz |
| Supported modes | BT and BLE |
| Max TX power | 14 dBm (4 dBm BLE) |
| RX sensitivity (BER >= 0.1%) | -95 dBm (-99 dBm BLE) |
3.3. Power Supply Ratings
| Parameter | Units | Min | Nominal | Max |
|---|
| Supply voltage (VDD33) | V | 3.135 | 3.3 | 3.465 |
4. Software
Drivers for the BLACK bean SDIO module (based on QCA9377-5) are available for Windows 7, Windows 10, Linux, and Android operating systems.
5. Mechanical Characteristics
Mechanical Dimensions Description: The module measures 30.0 mm in length and 16.5 mm in width. The diagram shows mounting hole locations and connector details.
5.1. Thermal Characteristics
| Parameter | Minimum | Maximum | Units |
|---|
| Working temperature | 0 | 70 | °C |
| Storage temperature | -40 | 90 | °C |
| Humidity | 10 | 90 | %RH |
| Storage humidity | 5 | 90 | %RH |
6. Development Kit
Development Kit Description: The development kit consists of a PCIe mini interface (1), an M.2 to PCIe mini adapter (2), and the BLACK bean card (3), facilitating easy integration and testing of the module.
7. Packaging and Ordering
BLACK bean radio modules are packed into vacuum-sealed trays. A BLACK bean tray fits 56 radio modules. Every 5 trays are vacuum-sealed packaging 280 of BLACK bean radios. One standard box holds 5 vacuum sealed packages or a total of 1,400 BLACK bean radio modules.
7.1 BLACK bean tray dimensions
Tray Dimensions Description: The diagram shows a vacuum-sealed tray designed to hold 56 BLACK bean modules, with overall dimensions of approximately 280.0 mm x 200.0 mm and a thickness of 10.0 mm. It also indicates draft angles for manufacturing.
7.2 Standard packing box dimensions
Box Dimensions Description: The standard packing box has dimensions of 300 mm (length) x 220 mm (width) x 280 mm (height).
7.3 Ordering part number
| BLACK bean module | M.2 to mPCle adapter Key A&E | Black Bean-DVK* |
|---|
| BLACK bean module | M.2 PCI express adapter | *Black Bean-DVK includes the Black Bean module and an M.2-to-mPCIe Key A&E adapter |
11. Document Revision History
| Revision | Revision Date | Description |
|---|
| 1.0 | 2019.04.17 | Initial release |
| 1.1 | 2019.08.29 | Removed STBC and transmit beam-forming |
| 1.2 | 2020.02.24 | Updated temperature range from -40 to 85 °C to 0 to 70 °C |
| 1.3 | 2021.12.07 | Updated PIN assignments table: 43 row, I/O PU to O and Description Turn off WLAN RF analog at front-end. Active low to PCIe differential transmit pin; negative |
| 1.4 | 2025.08.12 | New ordering number added |
