8devices Maca 2 Long-Range Wireless Radio Reaches 80 km

Maca 2 Long Range Wireless Radio Link

8devices has unveiled the Maca 2, an ultra-long range, compact, high-power wireless data radio (plug-and-play) for long-distance wireless communications for such applications as drones, UASs, robotics, interceptor systems, industrial IoT applications, and defense-grade communications; all applications requiring very long distances; resilience; and scalability. It is designed and manufactured in Europe and is NDAA and TAA compliant and contains multiple interfaces to allow for sharp range deployments.

The system is based on Qualcomm’s SoC with a 650 MHz 24Kc MIPS processor with 128 MB of RAM and 32MB of onboard flash. The Maca 2 operates as a wireless device with an Enhanced IEEE 802.11b/g/n radio that is configured in single band (2×2 MIMO) operation. The Maca 2 has a standard operating band of 2.4 GHz and has a frequency operating range of 2152-2852 MHz which means the Maca 2 has been able to use additional 616 MHz of usable frequency spectrum over conventional Wi-Fi operating frequencies. The Maca 2 has a maximum transmit power of 39 dBm (36 dBm per RF chain) and a receiver sensitivity of -98 dBm (typical) and supports antennas for air-to-ground and point-to-point connectivity up to 80 km. The Maca 2 has two Ethernet, USB 2.0, UART, GPIO, and 14 to 33V input power connections. The Maca 2 has the ability to operate in the industrial temperature range, is manufactured in compliance with NDAA/TAA standards.

Maca 2 Top and PCB

8devices Maca 2 Specifications:

• Processing and Memory:
  • SoC: Qualcomm chipset featuring a 650 MHz CPU24Kc MIPS core with 64 KB instruction cache and 32 KB data cache
  • RAM: 128 MB DDR (1 Gbit per block diagram)
  • Flash Storage: 32 MB (256 Mbit per block diagram)
• Networking Interfaces:
  • Ethernet: Two 10/100 Mbps RJ45 ports
• Wireless:
  • Standard: Enhanced IEEE 802.11 b/g/n
  • Radio Architecture: Single-band 2×2 MIMO
  • Frequency Coverage: 2152 – 2852 MHz (2.4 GHz ISM band plus ~616 MHz extended spectrum)
  • Channel Bandwidths: 1.5 – 19.5 MHz (0.5 MHz steps), plus 20 MHz and 40 MHz
  • Max Transmit Power:
    • Up to 36 dBm per RF chain
    • 39 dBm aggregate maximum
  • Receiver Sensitivity: As low as −98 dBm
  • Modulation: Up to 64-QAM
  • Peak Data Rate: 300 Mbps (40 MHz channel)
  • Max Range: Up to 80 km theoretical (air-to-ground link)
  • Antenna Ports: 2× MMCX connectors
• I/O and Expansion:
  • USB: 1× USB 2.0 host
  • Serial Console: 3.3 V UART (debug)
  • GPIO: Programmable pins available
• Security:
  • Encryption and Auth: ChaCha20-Poly1305, AES-128, WPA2-CCMP
• Misc:
  • Reset and factory-default buttons
  • Power and status LEDs
  • GPIO-controlled slider switch (application-specific)
  • External fan header
  • Integrated temperature sensor
• Power Supply:
  • Input Voltage: 14 – 33 V DC via JST connector (compatible with 4S–7S battery packs)
  • Max Consumption: 23.2 W at full RF output
• Mechanical and Environmental:
  • Dimensions: 73 × 47 × 23 mm
  • Weight: 74 g
  • Operating Temperature: −40 °C to +85 °C (industrial grade)
• Compliance:
  • NDAA- and TAA-compliant
  • Manufactured in Europe

8devices Maca 2 Block DIagram

The Maca 2 has an embedded Linux operating system (Robosoft) pre-installed on it, which provides configuration, spectrum management, and system monitoring for the Maca 2 via graphical and command line interfaces. The Maca 2 can also incorporate Meshmerize for its networking capabilities (e.g., multi-path routing and traffic prioritization) on the Maca-M variant, allowing a network of drones/robots to automatically determine the best path for data without needing to be manually programmed to do so. 

The Maca 2 Development Kit includes everything required to evaluate and develop with the Maca 2, including the Maca 2 radio, an interface board, two RF cables with antennas, a power supply and AC cable, interface board power and ethernet cables, and a cooling fan. 8devices says that the Maca 2 will be in production starting April 2026. Customers interested in pre-ordering can contact the company directly. More details can be found in this product page and this press release. 

Images used courtesy of 8devices.com