FiRa Consortium Publishes 2.0 Technical Specifications for UWB Technology

FiRa Consortium, the organization that defines the specifications and ensures ecosystem interoperability of products and services utilizing UWB technology, has announced a major advancement of its technical specifications. With the publication of FiRa 2.0 Technical Specifications, the consortium is furthering the scope and interoperability of the ultra-wideband ecosystem, introducing new use cases that include Point and Trigger features that lets users control UWB-enabled connected systems, such as TVs or smart speakers.

According to global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, 2022 will represent a key year for wireless connectivity innovation as Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and Ultra-Wideband adoption accelerates across a growing number of end markets. The latest wireless technologies will see strong double-digit growth as 6 GHz Wi-Fi 6E shipments triple in the next year, reaching well over 1.5 billion annual chipset shipments. Ultra-Wideband (UWB) devices are expected to reach nearly half-a-billion units as adoption increases within smartphones, wearables, speakers, personal trackers, and location tracking (RTLS) applications, forecasts ABI Research.

Murata has launched the world’s smallest ultra-wideband (UWB) module – measuring just 10.5 mm × 8.3 mm × 1.44 mm – that combines elevated levels of accuracy and reliability with low-power to ensure compact and battery-driven connected devices operate as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Using short-range radio frequency (RF) technology, the Type 2AB UWB + Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) connectivity module can be used in a wide variety of applications where precise detection is essential.

Diodes introduced a new 22VPP/31VPP selectable output piezoelectric sounder driver, for maximizing sound pressure level (SPL) delivery from a ceramic/piezo sounder. The PAM8907 has a built-in synchronous boost converter, which extends SPL in battery-powered systems and outperforms other similar sounder drivers. The device is optimized for use in wireless trackers, alarm systems, domestic appliances, or ultrasonic related piezo driver applications and haptic feedback.

CEVA unveiled its new ultra-low power RivieraWaves UWB platform IP targeting mobile, automotive, consumer and IoT applications, lowering the entry barriers for companies to include UWB in their chip designs. With this new solutions, developers are able to benefit from CEVA's combined IP offering of Bluetooth and UWB technologies for new use cases in emerging high-volume applications.

NXP Semiconductors has announced that it now offers beta Ultra-Wideband (UWB) development tools from its NXP Trimension portfolio that interoperate with the U1 chip in supported Apple products. The beta development tools will allow developers to kick-start the design of innovative applications that interact with UWB enabled Apple products including iPhone and Apple Watch, unleashing the ability to create more precise, directionally aware app experiences.