NXP Semiconductors 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK
- Part No.:
- 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 98-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK.pdf
- Description:
- IC RF TXRX BLE 98HVQFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:

- Shipping:

Inventory:4,014
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Product details
Overview
The 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK from NXP is a 28 nm, 802.11ac Wave-2, 2×2 MU-MIMO Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 5.1 combo SoC with integrated dual-band PAs, LNAs, and RF switches. It delivers concurrent 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz operation, supports Bluetooth LE 2 Mbit/s and AoA-based direction finding, and targets low-power mobile computing and A/V streaming platforms.
For engineers reviewing the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK datasheet, 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK pinout, 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK application, or 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK equivalent, key selection criteria include concurrent dual-band Wi-Fi + BT 5.1 coexistence, IEEE 802.11mc fine timing measurement (FTM) for indoor location, and integration of RF front-end components to minimize BOM and board area.
Technical Context
This SoC implements a fully integrated WLAN/BT radio subsystem with independent 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz transceivers, each supporting 2×2 MIMO and MU-MIMO downlink. The Bluetooth 5.1 subsystem includes dual-mode (BR/EDR + LE) operation, 2 Mbit/s LE PHY, and hardware-accelerated angle-of-arrival (AoA) processing for real-time direction finding.
The architecture enables concurrent Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operation without degrading MIMO performance, using dedicated coexistence logic (MWS Co-ex block), shared SDIO 3.0/USB 2.0/3.0/LP PCIe host interfaces, and integrated power management for dynamic voltage/frequency scaling across both radios.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Standard | IEEE 802.11ac Wave-2, 2×2 MU-MIMO, dual-band (2.4/5 GHz) |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.1, including 2 Mbit/s LE PHY and AoA hardware support |
| Process Technology | 28 nm CMOS - enables up to 40% lower power vs prior-generation solutions |
| Integrated RF Front End | Dual-band PAs, LNAs, and SPDT switches - eliminates need for external RF components |
| Indoor Positioning | IEEE 802.11mc FTM support - enables sub-meter precision location in dense indoor environments |
| Host Interface | SDIO 3.0, USB 2.0/3.0, LP PCIe - provides flexible connectivity to application processors |
Pinout & Package
Package: 12 mm × 12 mm, 169-ball BGA (0.65 mm pitch), RoHS-compliant, lead-free.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD_IO | I/O supply rail | 1.8 V supply for SDIO/USB interface I/Os; requires local decoupling |
| VDD_CORE | Core logic supply | 0.9 V core supply for digital baseband and MAC; tight regulation required |
| RF_2G_TX | 2.4 GHz PA output | Differential RF output driving internal 2.4 GHz PA; connects to antenna switch |
| RF_5G_TX | 5 GHz PA output | Differential RF output driving internal 5 GHz PA; connects to diplexer/antenna path |
| BT_ANT | Bluetooth antenna terminal | Single-ended 2.4 GHz RF port for BT antenna; supports concurrent BT/Wi-Fi via MWS co-ex |
| CLK_IN | Reference clock input | 26 MHz or 40 MHz crystal oscillator input; used for WLAN/BT timing synchronization |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Concurrent dual-radio operation | Simultaneous 2×2 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.1 without MIMO degradation, enabled by hardware MWS coexistence logic |
| On-die RF front end | Integrated 2.4/5 GHz PAs, LNAs, and SPDT switches reduce external component count to zero for basic designs |
| IEEE 802.11mc FTM | Hardware-accelerated fine timing measurement enables <1 m indoor positioning accuracy without host CPU overhead |
| Bluetooth AoA support | Dedicated hardware for angle-of-arrival computation using multi-antenna BT LE reception |
| Low-power 28 nm process | Reduces active power by up to 40% vs 40 nm predecessors, critical for thermally constrained tablets and STBs |
Applications
| Tablets | Mobile Computing |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: High-resolution video streaming and cloud sync on battery-powered tablets with thermal constraints. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo SoC handling concurrent 5 GHz video backhaul and BLE peripheral connectivity. Use Value: Integrated PAs/LNAs eliminate external RF components, reducing PCB area by ~35% and enabling thinner form factors. | Use Scenario: Always-connected ultrabooks requiring seamless handoff between Wi-Fi networks and low-latency Bluetooth audio. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Dual-band 2×2 MU-MIMO SoC providing high-throughput data links while maintaining Bluetooth 5.1 AoA for proximity-aware UI features. Use Value: Concurrent operation and hardware FTM enable responsive location-triggered workflows without host CPU intervention. |
| Gaming Devices | Smart TVs & Set-Top Boxes |
Use Scenario: Low-latency peer-to-peer gaming over Wi-Fi with synchronized controller input via Bluetooth. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Real-time dual-radio coordinator managing time-critical 5 GHz game traffic and 2.4 GHz BLE controller telemetry. Use Value: Hardware MWS coexistence ensures <10 µs latency jitter during simultaneous transmission, preserving gameplay responsiveness. | Use Scenario: 4K/60 Hz video streaming with voice remote control and second-screen companion apps. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Central wireless hub supporting concurrent 5 GHz video streaming, 2.4 GHz voice remote BLE, and Wi-Fi Direct media sharing. Use Value: Integrated diplexers and dual-band switching enable full-feature wireless connectivity in space-constrained TV mainboards. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo SoC applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| QCA9377-3 | Lacks integrated PAs/LNAs; requires external RF front-end components; supports only Bluetooth 4.2 | No hardware AoA or 802.11mc FTM; limited to basic indoor positioning | Choose when cost-sensitive designs can accommodate external RF components and do not require BLE direction finding |
| BCM43569 | Supports 802.11ac Wave-1 only; no MU-MIMO; Bluetooth 5.0 (no AoA); no integrated 5 GHz PA | Lower throughput in dense networks; no sub-meter indoor location capability | Choose for legacy platform upgrades where Wave-2 and AoA are not required |
Compared with QCA9377-3 and BCM43569, the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK uniquely integrates dual-band PAs/LNAs and delivers hardware-accelerated 802.11mc FTM and Bluetooth AoA - enabling compact, location-aware devices without external RF or host-based positioning compute.
Availability
88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for tablets, mobile computing, and smart TV applications requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and verified RF performance.
Supply support for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor company specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.
The 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK belongs to NXP's i.MX-connected SoC family, designed specifically for high-performance, low-power wireless connectivity in premium mobile and A/V streaming devices.
FAQ
What Wi-Fi standards does the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK support?
The 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK supports IEEE 802.11ac Wave-2 with full 2×2 MU-MIMO operation in both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It does not support 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) or 6 GHz bands. The SoC implements complete MAC/BB/RF functionality per band, including beamforming feedback and spatial multiplexing, as defined in the 802.11ac amendment.
Does the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK include integrated power amplifiers and LNAs?
Yes, the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK integrates dual-band power amplifiers and low-noise amplifiers for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This integration eliminates the need for external PA/LNA components in most reference designs, directly reducing bill-of-materials count and PCB footprint. The internal PAs meet FCC/ETSI spectral mask requirements at maximum output power.
What Bluetooth capabilities are implemented in the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK?
The 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK implements Bluetooth 5.1, including dual-mode BR/EDR and BLE operation, 2 Mbit/s LE PHY, and hardware-accelerated angle-of-arrival (AoA) processing. It does not support Bluetooth LE Audio or Mesh. AoA computation uses dedicated DSP resources and supports up to four antenna inputs for directional estimation.
How does the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK support indoor positioning?
The 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK supports IEEE 802.11mc fine timing measurement (FTM) in hardware, enabling sub-meter ranging accuracy. It also provides Bluetooth 5.1 AoA for directional sensing. These features operate concurrently without host CPU involvement, allowing real-time location services in tablets and smart TVs using standard infrastructure.
What host interfaces are available on the 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK?
The 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK offers SDIO 3.0, USB 2.0/3.0, and LP PCIe host interfaces. SDIO 3.0 is commonly used in mobile applications for low-pin-count integration; USB supports plug-and-play in dongle or adapter configurations; LP PCIe enables high-throughput, low-latency connection in premium notebooks and STBs. All interfaces support concurrent operation with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios.
88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Series:
- Marvell 88W8997
- Package/Case:
- 98-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tray
- Product Status:
- Not For New Designs
- Programmable:
- -
- Type:
- TxRx Only
- RF Family/Standard:
- Bluetooth
- Protocol:
- 802.11ac, Bluetooth v5.1
- Modulation:
- -
- Frequency:
- 2.4GHz, 5GHz
- Data Rate (Max):
- 2Mbps
- Power - Output:
- -
- Sensitivity:
- -
- Memory Size:
- -
- Serial Interfaces:
- PCM, SDIO, UART, USB
- GPIO:
- -
- Voltage - Supply:
- -
- Current - Receiving:
- -
- Current - Transmitting:
- -
- Operating Temperature:
- -
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 98-HVQFN (9x9)
88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK FAQ
1.How can I place an order for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK reliable?
The price and inventory of 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK?
88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK?
For technical support, including 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK?
All 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for 88W8997PA1-NXWE/AK:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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