NXP’s state-of-the-art IW612 SoC connects smart devices across protocols and ecosystems, simplifying development and reducing cost and board space. By enabling simultaneous support of three connectivity radios onto a single device for the first time on a single device, it frees manufacturers and consumers from the restrictions of single protocol ecosystems, allowing seamless interoperability across different ecosystems and wireless network technologies.
This new solution from NXP is a first decisive step in creating the foundation for interoperability, allowing the ability to mix smart home products and connected devices of all types from different companies. More importantly, it finally offers a platform for Matter, the new standardized connectivity protocol, launched and promoted by Amazon, Apple, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance, now renamed Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), of which NXP is also part, together IKEA, Samsung SmartThings, Schneider Electric, Signify, Silicon Labs, Texas Instruments, and others.
Matter unifies how devices communicate, independent of the manufacturer or wireless technology. The protocol creates more connections between more objects, thereby simplifying development for manufacturers and compatibility for consumers. Matter-compatible products and software updates for existing products are expected to be released in 2022.
The IW612 overcomes hardware co-existence challenges that developers face today, while also enabling advanced security protocols to help thwart the ever-increasing number of security threats. The IW612 offers secure boot, debug and over-the-air firmware updates for ongoing protection, as well as WPA3 security and hardware encryption engines.
A highly integrated 2.4/5 GHz dual-band 1x1 Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth/Bluetooth Low Energy 5.2 and 802.15.4 tri-radio single-chip solution optimized for a broad array of connected applications, the IW612 paves the way for a new generation of smart home, smart appliances, smart energy, industrial automation, gateways and more products. The high degree of integration contributes to very low system costs and a minimum external BOM while achieving efficient coexistence between all internal radios as well as external radios, such as LTE.
The IW612 includes a full-feature Wi-Fi subsystem powered by NXP’s 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) technology bringing higher throughput, better network efficiency, lower latency and improved range over previous generation Wi-Fi standards. The Wi-Fi subsystem integrates a Wi-Fi MAC, baseband, and direct-conversion radio with integrated PA, LNA and transmit/receive switch removing the need for an RF front-end module (FEMs) saving cost and reducing system complexity.
In addition to a Wi-Fi 6 radio, the IW612 integrates an independent Bluetooth 5.2 and 802.15.4 subsystem that supports Thread and Zigbee mesh networks. The device features Bluetooth Profiles such as hands free (HFP), advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP) for audio streaming as well as additional profiles like dual wideband speech (WBS). For Bluetooth Low Energy, the IW612 enables 2 Mbit/s high-speed data rate, long range, extended advertising, AoA/AoD and mesh. Finally, LE Audio is supported using Isochronous channels for a better overall audio experience.
The IW612 integrates dedicated CPUs and memories for both the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth/802.15.4 subsystems, which enable real time, independent protocol processing. Interfaces for connecting the IW612 to external host processors include SDIO 3.0 for Wi-Fi, UART for Bluetooth and SPI for 802.15.4.
"With the IW612, developers can leverage different wireless connectivity protocols on a single device to create an easy-to-use, secure product for smart home, industrial and automotive use cases. From door locks and smart speakers to in-vehicle entertainment and telematics, products can now benefit from our tri-radio solutions that address multiple technologies and ecosystems, including Matter. This provides developers with a more cost-effective solution while streamlining deployment for the consumer," says Larry Olivas, Vice President and General Manager for Wireless Connectivity Solutions, NXP Semiconductors.
"Interoperability has been a key challenge that has fragmented the smart home market for years, but Matter-enabled devices can change that. With its new monolithic devices, NXP enables developers to leverage Matter-supported connectivity protocols for their smart home applications and help accelerate Matter adoption. This, in turn, will provide consumers with improved usability by making smart devices easier to connect and greater choice among the interoperable devices they can use," addsJonathan Collins, Research Director at ABI Research.
The IW612 is an ideal solution for border routers, bridges and gateways in the smart home that require connecting Thread or Bluetooth devices to the cloud using the integrated Wi-Fi 6 radio. Additionally, the IW612 enables communication between Matter devices regardless of whether the devices use Wi-Fi or Thread. This allows Matter-over-Wi-Fi products to control and monitor Matter-over-Thread devices, and vice versa, for seamless interoperability.
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