The sub GHz radio chip supports a range of protocols, including IEEE802.15.4g/k, W-MBUS, KNX-RF and the LoRa and SIGFOX networks. The partners say the device will also support future cellular IoT for applications such as smart metering, smart home, smart city and critical infrastructure monitoring.
“With the foreseen release of the NB-IoT protocol in June 2016 by the 3GPP,” said Kathleen Philips, programme director perceptive systems at imec/Holst Centre, “it is clear that protocols such as NB-IoT, SigFox and LoRA are here to stay for the coming years. Our novel sub GHz radio chip can serve multiple of these protocols and is an ideal solution for long range wireless connectivityfor IoT applications.”
Covering frequencies ranging from 780MHz to 930MHz, the device is said to have a large link budget, state-of-the-art interference rejection and the lowest bill of materials by minimising external components.
The radio is implemented as a complete SoC, including the RF front end, power management, an ARM processor, 160kbyte of SRAM and peripherals like SPI, I2C and UART.
With a targeted sensitivity of -120dBm at a 0.1% bit error rate (1kbit/s), the chip draws 8mW when receiving and 113mW when transmitting with an output power of13.5dBm. The receiver can handle input signals ranging from -120dBm to -15dBm. Output power is also controllable from less than -40dBm to 15dBm.
