News: Microelectronics
7 January 2020
Qorvo’s IoT transceiver chip enables simultaneous operation of all open, smart home protocols
Qorvo Inc of Greensboro, NC, USA (which provides core technologies and RF solutions for mobile, infrastructure and defense applications) has introduced the QPG7015M IoT transceiver, which enables simultaneous operation of all low-power, open-standard smart home technologies. In combination with Qorvo’s patented antenna diversity and receiver design, it is claimed to provide unmatched performance in range, interference robustness and energy consumption to greatly simplify IoT design.
Qorvo already delivers multi-protocol capabilities in the form of system-on-chip (SoC) controller products. The QPG7015M transceiver is targeted at gateway IoT solutions that require full-range capability of Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee and Thread protocols with +20dBm outputs. The gateway acts as the centerpiece of IoT systems in the home, enabling multiple applications, security and data through the central device where it resides. For example, IoT applications that support lighting, security, elder care and home control are enabled through this gateway.
“Our new transceiver is a big step forward in radio performance and its unique integration of multi-protocol support,” reckons Cees Links, general manager of Qorvo’s Wireless Connectivity business. “This ensures that IoT designers don’t have to sacrifice device size and appearance to achieve protocol concurrency and high performance,” he adds. “This capability is foundational to continued consumer enthusiasm for more connected devices in the smart home.”
Featuring Qorvo’s unique coexBoost capability, the QPG7015M transceiver provides what is claimed to be best-in-class RF performance and enables 5x the range in high-duty-cycle Wi-Fi use cases, such as streaming to multiple 4K video clients. It also features a compact design that requires 2.5x less space and 4x fewer external components, speeding and simplifying the design of more attractive, futureproof IoT equipment for the home. In addition, a flexible and scalable software development kit (SDK) allows full control and leverages host processor resources, enabling faster time-to-market.
The QPG7015M is sampling now, prior to production quantities being available in second-quarter 2020.
