Meet Walter, a compact powerhouse of innovation that’s redefining what’s possible in the world of IoT development.
This small-form-factor system-on-module (SoM) packs a punch with its ESP32-S3 system-on-chip (SoC) paired with a second-generation Sequans GM02SP LTE-M/NB-IoT 5G modem and a GNSS receiver. Walter doesn’t just stop there—it brings together a plethora of built-in peripherals like UART, SPI, I²C, CAN, Wi-Fi b/g/n, and Bluetooth 5, all in one tiny package.
Reliable and Certified for Global Use
Walter is certified for FCC, CE, UKCA, IC, and RCM (covering Australia and New Zealand), making it a versatile choice for projects anywhere in the world. Whether you’re prototyping or ready to scale into production, Walter is your reliable partner, offering a guaranteed minimum of ten years of availability. It’s a long-term solution for your IoT applications.
Ready-to-Use Open-Source Software
Jump-start your IoT projects in minutes with Walter’s extensive range of 100% open-source software libraries. Program with ease using familiar languages and tools like ESP-IDF, Arduino, Micropython, and Toit. There’s no need for special dongles—just connect Walter directly to your development machine via a standard USB Type-C cable and start building.
Seamless IoT Connectivity with the (inlcuded!) Soracom IoT SIM
The Walter Dev.Kit ships with Soracom’s IoT SIM card, providing cellular connectivity in over 170 countries.
With Soracom, your devices can easily connect and transmit data to major cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure using ubiquitous 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE cellular networks.
For more info about the Soracom IoT SIM, click here.
More Than a Development Board
Transforming a prototype into a commercial product can be a complex and daunting process. Walter simplifies this journey, particularly for low-to-medium-volume production runs. It’s the ideal entry point for businesses aiming to create their own 5G-connected IoT products.
Walter is designed with intentional minimalism – there are no unnecessary components like sensors, RGB LEDs, or charging circuits that might increase cost and complexity without adding value. Instead, Walter features several test pads on the bottom of the board, perfect for automating firmware flashing and product testing.
Designed to Fit Anywhere
Measuring just 24.8 x 55 mm, Walter is designed to fit into almost any product, no matter how compact. It’s one of the smallest standalone boards available today that supports such an array of RF technologies, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of applications.
Main Walter Benefits
Ultra-Low-Power Deep Sleep
For battery-powered applications, Walter excels with its ultra-low-power deep sleep mode. Designed with efficiency in mind, Walter consumes only 9.8 µA in deep sleep mode:
- 8 µA for the ESP32-S3
- 1 µA for the GM02SP
- 0.8 µA for the DC-DC and LDO power converter
Compatible With the Former PyCom GPy
Still using the PyCom GPy, which is now end-of-life? Walter is fully pin-compatible, allowing you to swap it in without needing to redesign your carrier boards. Plus, Walter addresses the hardware shortcomings found in PyCom’s closed-source solution, offering you not just a replacement but a significant upgrade.
Real-World Applications for Walter
Walter is perfect for remote sensing and control applications, and it’s already proving its worth in a variety of use cases:
- GNSS Tracker: Walter’s built-in GNSS receiver eliminates the need for additional expansion boards. It comes pre-flashed with tracking firmware that uploads data to a demonstration platform, making global tracking solutions straightforward and efficient.
- Remote Weather Station: Slot Walter into its carrier board, and you can monitor environmental sensors from virtually any location. Its robust 5G connection (LTE-M or NB-IoT) allows you to gather data even in remote areas. Walter has even been deployed in challenging environments like a measurement pole in the North Sea, where LTE-M connectivity outperformed traditional 4G.
- Tank Level Sensor: Walter’s strong indoor coverage was showcased when paired with an ultrasonic sensor to measure liquid levels inside a tank. Walter maintained a reliable signal from two stories underground, even under a metal cover.
Walter’s versatility opens the door to endless possibilities, including pet tracking, ticket printing for online delivery, IoT access control systems, remote pump control, and more. Whatever your IoT needs, Walter is ready to bring your vision to life.
Walter Feels Carrier Board
Although it is possible to use Walter as a standalone module, it was designed to be incorporated into your product through a carrier board. Walter Feels is such a carrier board to help you design and build proof-of-concept IoT products as quickly as possible. It contains everything you need to build a battery-powered IoT sensing platform:
- Wide input range (3.1 – 35 V) MPPT power input
- Single- to multi-cell and multi-chemistry (LiFePo, Li-Ion, Lead) battery charger. The board operates on voltages as low as 2.5 V
- I²C battery and power management (Analog Devices LTC4015)
- MicroSD card slot
- Sensors: temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and 6 DoF IMU
- Sensor connectors: Sensirion SCD30 absolute CO₂ sensor (not included)
- Multiple interfaces, including RS232, RS485, SDI-12, and CAN bus
- 3.3, 5, and 12 V output
- Two GPIO pins directly from the Walter board
- Compatible with Takachi PFF13-4-13W housing for indoor applications
Learn More About Walter and Soracom
In Soracom’s “Let’s Talk IoT Devices” series, we delve into Walter’s technology through exciting use cases and understand how its features make it ideal for IoT applications. Watch our webinar now!
