Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-11-10 Origin: Site
Not every IoT hardware project requires high-end dual-band WiFi. For many IPCs, smart home appliances, portable terminals and payment devices, engineers prioritize proven performance, robust software compatibility and hardware adaptability to mechanical constraints.
Built on two field-validated Realtek combo chips — RTL8723BU-CG and RTL8723CS-CG, we deliver off-the-shelf standard modules as well as custom module development services to meet diverse IoT hardware requirements.
Belonging to the RTL8723 2.4GHz 1T1R SoC family, the two chips differ in host interface and Bluetooth capability, targeting two mainstream host-controller architectures for easy component selection.
RTL8723BU-CG adopts shared USB 2.0 for both WLAN and Bluetooth. It supports IEEE 802.11b/g/n with PHY rate up to 150Mbps. Bluetooth is dual-mode: classic BR/EDR plus BLE 4.0, supporting audio streaming, peripheral connection and BLE advertising for device provisioning.
Highly integrated with WLAN MAC, baseband, RF and Bluetooth stack, the chip requires minimal external components. If your mainboard provides USB-Host, both WiFi and Bluetooth functions can be implemented over one single bus, simplifying PCB routing.
Residential IPC Camera (mass-production case)
A security OEM adopted the BL-R8723BT1 module based on RTL8723BU-CG for home cameras. The mainboard featured USB-Host and required WiFi connection plus BLE phone-based provisioning, with reserve for Bluetooth peripheral extensions.
Benefits: Plug-and-play over USB; mature Linux driver ecosystem reduces RF tuning workload. Dual-mode Bluetooth supports both provisioning and peripheral expansion. Compact form factor fits limited internal camera space. The project passed certifications and entered volume production.
Dash Cam (mass-production case)
The dash cam needed WiFi for video file export and Bluetooth for quick phone pairing, with only USB interface available on hardware.
Benefits: A single USB bus carries full WiFi and Bluetooth functions. Operating temperature of -10℃~+70℃ handles typical in-car thermal conditions. SRRC and CE certifications support domestic and overseas market access.
Portable Projector & Printer Peripherals
Benefits: Bluetooth connects external speakers for audio output; WiFi enables screen casting and wireless printing. Cross-platform compatibility with Windows and Linux accelerates wireless feature integration for peripherals.
Besides the standard stamp-hole module BL-R8723BT1, custom development is available: pin-out modification, antenna options (on-board ceramic antenna, IPEX connector, half-pad antenna), firmware trimming and optimization to match your mechanical and functional requirements.
RTL8723CS-CG implements separated interfaces: WLAN runs on SDIO 2.0 while Bluetooth uses an independent high-speed UART. Bluetooth is BLE 4.1 single-mode only, focused on IoT provisioning and sensor data transmission without classic Bluetooth audio support.
It is ideal for mainboards without spare USB resources. WiFi and Bluetooth run on separate buses without resource contention. Compared with RTL8723BU-CG, it offers a wider operating temperature range of -20℃ to +70℃ for improved thermal tolerance.
Robot Vacuum Cleaner (mass-production case)
A home robot manufacturer selected BL-M8723CS1. Its SoC only exposed SDIO and UART interfaces with no available USB port. Only BLE functions were required for phone provisioning and device status reporting; no classic audio Bluetooth was needed.
Benefits: Reuses the native SDIO interface of the host controller, eliminating extra USB circuitry and lowering BOM cost. Optimized WiFi-BLE coexistence keeps BLE advertising stable while the robot is cleaning and WiFi data traffic is active. The extended temperature range copes with heat generated by internal motors.
Smart POS Payment Terminal (mass-production case)
An Android handheld POS unit with sufficient SDIO resources. BLE is used for pairing scan accessories and near-field provisioning; classic Bluetooth audio is unnecessary.
Benefits: SDIO delivers stable high-throughput WiFi for payment transactions. Independent UART-based Bluetooth supports host sleep and wake-up control to cut standby power consumption and extend battery life for handheld devices.
OTT Set-top Box & IoT Control Board
Benefits: Wide temperature range withstands heat from long-duration operation. WLAN and Bluetooth can be enabled or disabled independently, facilitating system-level power management strategies.
Beyond the standard 44-pin stamp-hole module BL-M8723CS1, custom services are supported: footprint resizing, pin assignment adjustment, antenna customization and firmware parameter tuning to resolve unique hardware-design challenges.
Mature ecosystem cuts R&D cost. Realtek official drivers are proven in mass-market deployments and natively support Linux and Android. Optimized WiFi-Bluetooth coexistence mitigates interference under concurrent operation and reduces heavy RF debugging work for customers.
Flexible support for custom modules. We provide more than off-the-shelf modules. Based on these two chips, secondary development covers module dimension, package type, antenna selection, firmware features and I/O logic to overcome mechanical constraints and special functional requirements.
Cost-effective for mass-volume consumer IoT. Well suited for products where 5GHz WiFi is unnecessary. The 2.4G solution delivers sufficient performance with a controlled overall BOM for large-scale manufacturing.
Chip Model | Host Interface | Bluetooth Capability | Project Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
RTL8723BU-CG | USB 2.0, shared for WiFi and BT | BR/EDR + BLE dual-mode | USB-Host available; Bluetooth audio or peripheral connection required |
RTL8723CS-CG | WiFi: SDIO; Bluetooth: UART | BLE 4.1 single-mode | No spare USB port; BLE-only provisioning or sensor data; higher thermal tolerance needed |
Standard module samples, complete datasheets, pin definitions and reference schematics
Custom module development service for RTL8723BU-CG and RTL8723CS-CG
Technical support for driver porting and RF application guidance
Documentation assistance for SRRC, CE and other certification requirements
Contact us for sample evaluation. Share your mechanical constraints and functional specifications, and we will assess the feasibility of either standard or custom modules.
What is the difference between RTL8723BU-CG and RTL8723CS-CG?
RTL8723BU-CG uses shared USB2.0 interface, supports BR/EDR+BLE4.0 dual-mode Bluetooth, suitable for IPC, dash cam and peripherals. RTL8723CS-CG adopts separated SDIO+UART, only BLE4.1 single-mode, wider temperature range -20℃~+70℃, ideal for robot vacuum and POS terminal.
What are the typical applications of RTL8723 series modules?
Typical mass-production applications include IPC cameras, dash cams, robot vacuum cleaners, smart POS payment terminals, OTT set-top boxes and IoT control boards.
Do you support custom development for RTL8723BU-CG / RTL8723CS-CG modules?
Yes. We support pin-out modification, antenna customization, footprint resizing and firmware tuning for both BL-R8723BT1 and BL-M8723CS1.
