When a designer investigates the ways of adding a wireless link to a product the cost difference between an RFIC and a module will quickly be discovered. Basing the decision solely on this cost is misleading since RF modules offer a number of valuable advantages over a discrete design with an RFIC. Starting with cost, the RF module rolls production, test, purchasing and logistics costs into the Bill of Materials cost. An RFIC may be the heart of a radio design, but it will need potentially dozens of other parts to complete the design; including crystals, capacitors, inductors, resistors and filters. All of these parts must be designed in, sourced, stored, and placed on a board. Further, the sourcing for many of the parts must be carefully controlled. For example, inductors and capacitors of the same value from different manufacturers will not necessarily perform the same at RF frequencies. With an RF module, all of this is done. The RF circuit is already done, so no specialized test equipment is needed. With just a few design guidelines outlined in the documentation, even engineers without previous RF design experience have little trouble implementing a module. This means a faster design cycle and shorter time to market. For production, there is only one part to specify, purchase, store, and place on the board. There is no tuning or RF testing that is required, since all of the modules are tested 100% before shipping. With all of these factors taken into account, it becomes clear why an RF module is an attractive option.