Solution Highlights
Operates as a versatile, feature-
rich IoT node, access point,
gateway or hub
Multi-protocol bridging and communication brings
together multiple wireless mediums and bridges
between different ecosystems.
Single chip solution with
extended range and reliability
Incorporates 802.11n 2x2 single-band Wi-Fi
technology and extended wireless range, providing
greater coverage, quality of service and reliability of
connectivity.
Optimized power and energy
efficiency for high performance
IoT gateways
Integrates a powerful 650MHz MIPS CPU for embedded
applications, plus a 1+4 Fast Ethernet switch along with
other expansive interfaces for IoT devices.
Open source OS and tools to
simplify software development
Embeds OpenWrt, Linux OS and open source Wi-Fi
drivers for simplifying software development.
QCA4531 is a low-cost, high performance,
Linux connectivity hub for the Internet of
Things (IoT).
QCA4531 is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.
Materials are subject to change without notice.
87-YB662-1 Rev B
The QCA4531 is a two stream (2x2)
802.11b/g/n single-band programmable
Wi-Fi System-on-Chip (SoC) for the IoT. This
low-cost turnkey solution combines high-
performance connectivity capabilities
with a user-programmable Linux
OpenWrt environment and is designed
to serve either as a feature-rich IoT node
or as a hub to support an IoT ecosystem.
The QCA4531 is a single-chip access
point SoC designed to deliver a high-
performance 2x2 802.11b/g/n solution, as
well as a powerful MIPS 24Kc CPU core
that operates at up to a 650MHz clock
rate. This system runs open source Linux
and the OpenWrt networking stack, to help
with ease of development. The QCA4531
includes a communications stack, including
HTTP, IPv4v6, TCP, SSL, DHCP, ICMP,
IGMP, and DNS. It is designed to operate
as an IoT access point, supporting up to 16
simultaneous devices, and is power optimized
to allow appliances to meet international
standards for energy eciency.
To address fragmentation in the IoT, the
QCA4531 supports multiple application
layer interoperability standards, allowing
products to connect across dierent brands
and platforms. The QCA4531 is ideal for IoT
hubs that bridge from other IoT connectivity
technologies like Bluetooth, 802.15.4 (ZigBee/
Thread) and Z-Wave to the home Wi-Fi
network. It contains interfaces that allow
attachment of Bluetooth/802.15.4/Z-Wave
radios, plus the Linux environment supports
the development of bridging soware.
Qualcomm® QCA4531
Wi-Fi SoC
Features
802.11n 2x2 improves range and quality
of service
MIPS 24Kc processor operating at up to
650MHz clock rate
Advanced power management with
dynamic clock switching for ultra-low
power modes
DDR2 NAND SPI flash memory manager
I2C for connecting to digital sensors and
Apple HomeKit MFi chip
12 customizable GPIOs
Commercial & industrial temperature
options
OpenWrt QDSK and open source ATH9K
drivers
Low cost system BOM including:
Integrated LNA and +20 dBm PA
QFN package and 4-layer PCB design
3.3V external power source
External 16-bit DDR1, operating at up to
200MHz, DDR2 operating at up to
300MHz (600 M transfers/sec)
Soware support for Apple HomeKit,
Google Weave, Open Connectivity
Foundation and AllJoyn from the
AllSeen Alliance
Complete AllJoyn integration client and
services implementation
QCA4531 SoC and Module Specifications
Package Type 12 x 12mm QFN
Dual-Row 156-pin halogen-free, RoHS compliant
Module Size 44.3 x 33.5 x 6.2mm, 4 layer PCB
(including PCB antenna & 2x 1-PEX connectors)
WLAN Technology 802.11b/g/n
Antennas 2x 2.4GHz outputs
Interfaces 1x DDR, PCIE, UART, I
2
C, USB 2.0 Host
12x GPIOs, JTAG
1+4 (5-port) Fast Ethernet switch
Frequency Band 2.4GHz
Channel Bandwidth 20 or 40MHz
Power Source 3.3V nominal
Throughput 2x2 802.11n - 190Mbps (TCP/IP)
Default Memory 64MB DDR; 1GB NAND SPI flash
1x 4MB NOR flash
Operating System OpenWrt, Embedded Linux
Operating Temperature Commercial: 0˚ to +70˚C
Industrial: -40˚ to +85˚C
©2018 Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Qualcomm is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered
in the United States and other countries. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners. 0418A
Product Part Number
QCA4531 (C-Temp) QCA4531-BL3A
QCA4531 (I-Temp) QCA4531-BL3B
Ordering Information
To learn more visit: qualcomm.com
QCA4531 Target IoT Applications
• Energy Management
• Smart Home
• Wi-Fi Repeater
• Smart Appliances
• Residential Lighting
• IoT Gateway
QCA4531 Block Diagram
