At its ongoing annual developer’s conference, NXP Semiconductors today heralds the expansion of its ultra-wideband (UWB) portfolio to enable new internet-of-things (IoT) use cases for applications such as smart locks and real-time location system tags. Following its earlier introductions of UWB products for the mobile and automotive markets, the company is rolling out its UWB IoT ICs under a new Trimension brand name encompassing its entire UWB portfolio.
Designed with the specific needs of IoT devices in mind, Trimension SR150 adds dual-receiver angle-of-arrival (AoA) technology for an added level of precision. Trimension SR150 is ideally suited for the UWB enablement of all kinds of larger infrastructures, such as access-control installations, indoor localization setups, and payment schemes, as well as consumer electronics. Several SR150 IC devices can be placed in a room as UWB anchors to help localize people and objects as they move.
“The SR150 enables entirely hands-free access to a room or building,” said Charles Dachs, NXP’s VP and GM of secure embedded transactions. Your mobile device’s digital key would open the door from within a meter’s distance. Not only that, but it knows if you’re standing inside or outside of the door. The technology also enables completely hands-free retail checkout; your phone can be in a pocket or bag.”
Optimized for low-power operation, the Trimension SR040 is designed for use in battery-operated IoT devices, such as UWB trackers and tags that might be attached to things like an earbud charging case or a keychain. “It will enable such objects to be located with very high accuracy,” said Dachs. The SR040 IC can be integrated with Bluetooth Low Energy or other connectivity controllers in one device. Trimension OL23D0 complements the range of dedicated IoT solutions as an open, fully customer programmable UWB controller for IoT applications.
In addressing specific use cases, the Trimension SR150 and SR040 ICs are available in easy-to-integrate modules and development kits supplied by selected NXP partners. NXP’s IoT UWB ICs will be in production by the end of 2020; they’re available for sampling now.
NXP Semiconductors, www.nxp.com/uwb