Quectel’s KCMCA6S is a series of industrial wireless M-Bus (wM-Bus) modules built around Silicon Labs’ EFR32FG23 chipset. The modules operate in the 868 MHz, 169 MHz, and 433 MHz bands and support the EN13757-4 wM-Bus standard for smart metering and AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) applications.
The device features an Arm Cortex-M33 processor, 32 KB of SRAM, 256 KB of flash, and a Sub-GHz transceiver. It supports multiple wM-Bus modes (T, C, S, R, N, F), with dynamic multi-mode switching, flexible frequency configuration, and low-power operation alongside multi-layer security mechanisms. Interfaces include USART, SWD, and GPIOs, with optional EUSART, I²C, and ADC through pin multiplexing. Available in two variants (with or without SAW filter), the module comes in a compact 25.4 × 14.0 × 2.9 mm LCC package for water, electricity, gas, and heat metering systems.
Quectel KCMCA6S specifications:
- MCU- Silicon Labs EFR32FG23
- Core – Arm Cortex-M33 core, up to 78 MHz
- Memory – 32 KB SRAM
- Storage – 256 KB flash
- Wireless
- Protocols
- Wireless M-Bus (EN13757 standard)
- Proprietary Amazon Sidewalk (Under Development)
- Frequency Bands
- 868 MHz
- 169 MHz, 433 MHz (Under Development)
- Modulation – 2/4-FSK, OQPSK, DSSS, (G)MSK, OOK
- Operating Modes
- T, C
- S, R, N, F (Under Development)
- Tx power – up to 14 dBm
- Receiver sensitivity – up to -105 dBm (868.95 MHz, PER < 1%)
- Chip transmitting rate – 100 kcps (T1/T2)
- Antenna – 1x Pin antenna interface
- Protocols
- Expansion – 11× GPIO with USART, SWD, and EUSART, I²C, ADC through pin multiplexing
- Power supply – 1.71 V to 3.8 V (typ. 3.3 V)
- Dimensions – 25.4 × 14.0 × 2.9 mm
- Temperature
- Operating – -40 °C to +85 °C
- Storage – -45 °C to +95 °C
- Certifications – CE (in progress)
The KCMCA6S series comes in two versions: the KCMCA6SABMD-0L, with an integrated SAW filter for interference rejection, and the KCMCA6SNABMD-0L without a SAW filter for lower cost and slightly reduced power loss.
As the KCMCA6S is based on the Silicon Labs’ EFR32FG23 chipset, it should support Silicon Labs’ Simplicity Studio IDE, driver libraries, and wireless protocol stacks for wM-Bus. There’s also a library for AES encryption and optional support for Sidewalk and proprietary protocols, which is under development from Quectel.
The company also mentions that the KCMCA6S-TE-B development board is used to evaluate the KCMCA6S modules. It comes with a USB-to-UART bridge, a USB Type-C power supply input, JTAG and Mini Simplicity connectors for debugging and firmware updates, and an SMA connector for RF testing. The board also has a power switch, reset button, GPIO headers, test points, and status LEDs to check power and data activity. They also mention the KCMCA6SNABTB-0L development board, but I cannot find any information about that particular one.
Previously, we wrote about the Quectel KG200Z LoRa module, which later added wM-Bus support. But the new KCMCA6S series comes with wM-Bus built in, and adds more frequency options and security features. We have also seen other MCUs like the Semtech LR2021 and the STMicro STM32WL, which support the wM-Bus protocol and are used for similar applications.
At the time of writing, the company does not mention any pricing details, and you need to contact the company directly for any other information. Some additional information is available on the product page and press release.
Debashis Das is a technical content writer and embedded engineer with over five years of experience in the industry. With expertise in Embedded C, PCB Design, and SEO optimization, he effectively blends difficult technical topics with clear communication
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