Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT


Wireless MCUs for battery-operated IoT devices

21 February 2018 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

Redpine Signals launched what it claimed as the industry’s lowest-power multi-protocol wireless MCU (WiSeMCU) solution – RS14100 – for battery-operated IoT devices. The company also launched the RS9116, which features multi-protocol wireless connectivity and is available in both hosted (n-Link) and embedded (WiSeConnect) configurations.

The devices implement multi-protocol wireless connectivity with dual-band (2,4/5 GHz) 802.11abgn Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 (including long range, high throughput and advertising extensions) and 802.15.4 which can be used for Thread or ZigBee connectivity. The RS14100 features an ARM Cortex-M4F which can operate at up to 180 MHz and includes up to 4 MB of Flash for applications.

Users can choose from various SoC and module packages based on their system requirements, including a tiny integrated module measuring 4,6 x 7,8 mm. The WiSeConnect embedded modules provide throughput of over 90 Mbps with integrated wireless stacks, wireless profiles and networking stack. n-Link hosted modules interface to processors running Linux, Android or Windows operating systems.

The RS14100 and the RS9116 feature a patent-pending ‘big-little’ architecture at every level including MCU, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5 and 802.15.4, providing optimised transitions between high-performance and low-power operating modes. This unique architecture enables Wi-Fi standby associated power of less than 50 µA, an ARM Cortex-M4F that can provide as low as 15 μA/MHz operation, and integrated Bluetooth 5 which has lower power than even standalone Bluetooth 5 devices. These capabilities are well suited for battery-operated devices such as security cameras, smart locks, video doorbells, fitness bands, industrial sensors and location tags.

The R14100 is based on a secure-zone architecture with the security processor separated from the applications processor, PUF (physically unclonable function) based root-of-trust, suite-B crypto hardware accelerators, secure boot, secure firmware upgrade, secure XIP and secure peripherals. It provides high security levels required for applications such as mobile point-of-sale terminals, smart locks, medical devices and secure voice-based ordering. The RS9116 also provides a subset of these security features relevant for providing wireless connectivity.

The RS14100 includes an ‘always-on’ sensor hub with hardware accelerators for voice-activity detection (VAD), vector filtering, interpolation and matrix multiplication, sensor data collection and capacitive touch. This enables applications such as voice triggers for primary battery-operated devices. The RS14100 also supports a rich set of digital and analog peripherals including CAN, Ethernet, eMMC/SD card, op-amp, ADC, DAC and USB OTG.

The RS14100 and the RS9116 SoC and modules are sampling now with volume production starting in Q2 2018.



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Industrial Ethernet time sensitive networking switch
RS South Africa Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The ADIN3310 and ADIN6310 are 3-port and 6-port Gigabit Ethernet time sensitive networking (TSN) switches with integrated security primarily designed for industrial Ethernet applications.

Read more...
When it comes to long-term reliability of RF amplifier ICs, focus first on die junction temperature
Altron Arrow Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
When considering the long-term reliability of integrated circuits, a common misconception is that high package or die thermal resistance is problematic. However, high or low thermal resistance, by itself, tells an incomplete story.

Read more...
Automotive-grade digital isolators
Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The NSI83xx series of capacitive-based isolators from NOVOSENSE Microelectronics offer superior EOS resilience and minimal power noise susceptibility.

Read more...
Why bis means business for LTE Cat 1 IoT connections
NuVision Electronics Editor's Choice Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Tomaž Petaros, product manager IoT EMEA at Quectel Wireless Solutions explains why the market for Cat 1bis IoT connections is getting busy.

Read more...
Wi-Fi in 2025: When is Wi-Fi 7 the answer?
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Wi-Fi 7 introduces multi-link operation and lower latency, a game-changing feature that allows devices to transmit and receive data across multiple frequency bands simultaneously to significantly reduce network congestion.

Read more...
Bluetooth Lite SoCs purpose built for IoT
NuVision Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Whether it is enabling predictive maintenance on industrial equipment, tracking assets in dense environments, or running for years on a coin cell battery in ultra-low power sensors, developers need solutions that are lean, reliable, and ready to scale with emerging use cases.

Read more...
LTE Cat 1bis module
Otto Wireless Solutions Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The A7673X LTE Cat 1bis module from SimCom is engineered to meet the growing demands of the IoT industry, offering exceptional performance and seamless integration.

Read more...
Track with precision
Electrocomp Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
KYOCERA AVX provides innovative antennas for cellular, LTE-M, NB-IoT, LoRa, GNSS, BLE, UWB, Wi-Fi, and future Satellite IoT.

Read more...
Wi-Fi 7 front-end module
RF Design Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Qorvo QPF4609 is an integrated front end module designed for 802.11be systems that has integrated matching, which minimises layout area.

Read more...
Multi-channel downconverter
Vepac Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The Downconverter from Crane Aerospace is a converter that operates from 2 to 18 GHz and delivers a noise figure of 11 dB with an attenuation range of 25 dB.

Read more...