RTL8723DS
Cost-effective 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 combo for budget-conscious designs
Product Overview
Description
The Realtek RTL8723DS is a cost-effective 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 combo solution designed for budget-conscious laptops, tablets, and IoT devices requiring basic wireless connectivity.
This combo chip supports 1x1 802.11n with up to 150 Mbps and Bluetooth 4.2, providing essential wireless functionality at a competitive price point. The SDIO interface enables integration with various processors and platforms.
RTL8723DS is ideal for entry-level laptops, educational tablets, basic IoT devices, and applications where cost is the primary consideration and Wi-Fi 5/6 speeds are not required.
Product Series
RTL
Primary Application
Entry-level laptops
Key Features
- 802.11n 1x1 support
- Bluetooth 4.2
- 2.4GHz single-band
- Up to 150 Mbps speed
- SDIO and USB interfaces
- Low power consumption
- Compact package
- Cost-effective solution
Specifications
| Wi-Fi Standard | 802.11b/g/n |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 + BLE |
| Wi-Fi Configuration | 1x1 Single-band (2.4GHz) |
| Max Wi-Fi Speed | 150 Mbps |
| Interface | SDIO/USB |
| MIMO | 1x1 |
| Channel Width | 20/40 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | 0°C to +70°C |
| Package | QFN-32 |
| Features | Low cost, SDIO interface |
Applications
Entry-level laptops
Electronic system design
Educational tablets
Electronic system design
Basic IoT devices
Electronic system design
Smart home products
Electronic system design
Cost-sensitive designs
Electronic system design
FAE Expert Insights
"RTL8723DS is our value proposition for basic wireless needs. It covers the essentials - Wi-Fi for internet and Bluetooth for peripherals. While it doesn't have the latest standards, 150 Mbps is sufficient for web browsing, email, and streaming. The price point makes it attractive for budget devices."
Cost-effective solution for basic wireless connectivity
— Michael Chen, BeiLuo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 150 Mbps sufficient for typical internet usage?
For most internet activities, 150 Mbps is sufficient. Web browsing, email, social media, and standard definition streaming work well. However, for 4K streaming, large file downloads, or high-bandwidth applications, higher speeds are beneficial. Consider that most internet connections are under 100 Mbps, so 150 Mbps Wi-Fi rarely bottlenecks internet access.
Sufficient for basic internet. Upgrade to Wi-Fi 5 for 4K streaming or high-bandwidth needs.
Why doesn't RTL8723DS support 5GHz band?
RTL8723DS is a cost-optimized solution focusing on 2.4GHz only. This reduces chip complexity and cost while covering the most widely used band. 2.4GHz provides better range and wall penetration than 5GHz. For applications requiring 5GHz (less congested, higher speeds), consider upgrading to RTL8821CE or similar dual-band solutions.
2.4GHz sufficient for basic needs. Choose dual-band for 5GHz requirements.
What is SDIO interface and when should it be used?
SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output) is an interface based on SD card standard, commonly used in embedded systems and mobile devices. SDIO is simpler than PCIe and suitable for lower-speed Wi-Fi like 802.11n. It's often used in tablets, embedded Linux systems, and IoT devices. USB interface is also available on RTL8723DS for flexibility.
Use SDIO for embedded systems. USB for general purpose applications.
How does RTL8723DS compare to newer Wi-Fi 5 solutions regarding power consumption?
RTL8723DS generally has lower power consumption than Wi-Fi 5/6 solutions due to simpler radio design and lower data rates. Active power is typically 200-300mW, making it suitable for battery-powered devices. However, newer chips have better power management features like Target Wake Time that can result in better overall battery life despite higher active power.
Lower active power but fewer power management features. Good for simple battery devices.
Is RTL8723DS still recommended for new designs?
RTL8723DS remains viable for cost-sensitive designs where Wi-Fi 5 speeds are not required. However, for new designs with product lifecycles of 3+ years, consider RTL8821CE for Wi-Fi 5 support. The small price difference is often worth the future-proofing and performance benefits. Evaluate based on your specific cost targets and performance requirements.
Viable for cost-sensitive designs. Consider Wi-Fi 5 for future-proofing.