Freescale Semiconductor has unveiled a wireless, multi-protocol addition to its popular Kinetis MCU family, bringing the latest connectivity standards to an MCU platform that has played an essential role in shaping and enabling the Internet of Things (IoT) to date. Freescale introduces the Kinetis KW40Z wireless MCU family with support for Bluetooth Smart/Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and IEEE 802.15.4 applications.
The KW40Z wireless MCU integrates a 2.4 GHz multi-protocol radio that provides the ability to access one BLE network and one 802.15.4 network from a single device while achieving strong RF performance and low current consumption. The low-power radio runs in receive mode at 6.5mA with excellent co-existence characteristics, and provides years of operation on standard coin cell batteries. An integrated dc-dc converter configurable for buck or boost operation optimizes power consumption, and the MCU also incorporates a high precision DAC and a 16-bit ADC for highly accurate sensor measurement for wireless sensor networks.
Related: PWM Switching Power ICs with Low Standby Power
“The KW40Z MCU family reinforces Freescale’s MCU technology leadership and adds the very latest in BLE and 802.15.4 solutions for the IoT space including silicon, software and reference designs,” said Emmanuel Sambuis, director of MCUs for Freescale’s Microcontroller group. “Our first of many BLE-enabled products provides customers the multi-protocol functionality and secure connectivity they need to connect and control products in multiple markets, helping the Internet of Things realize its potential.”
The BLE and 802.15.4 protocols are increasingly important to the continued evolution of the IoT. Demand continues to grow for power-efficient BLE functionality in the health and fitness wearables market, which includes fast-growing product categories such as smart watches, beacons and portable accessories that communicate with consumer’s smartphones and other wireless devices. Meanwhile, the 802.15.4 standard has been widely adopted as the premier ultra-low power, low-cost, mesh networking technology for home automation applications, with the possibility of more growth ahead due to increased adoption in commercial and industrial applications such as lighting and building automation. With a capability to reach extended temperature ranges from -40 degrees C up to 105 degrees C, the new KW40Z family is an ideal choice for applications with increasingly rugged operating requirements.
Opinion: The Importance of Passive Components in Today’s Power Applications: Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology
Alpha samples of the KW40Z wireless MCU are available now with a Beta program launching in August 2015. Broad market availability of devices and tools, including the Freedom development platform (FRDM-KW40Z) and a USB dongle for sniffer and other applications (USB-KW40Z), along with full production software is planned for October 2015. Derivatives of the Kinetis KW40Z wireless MCU are also planned for October 2015 and include the KW30Z MCU (BLE only) and KW20Z (802.15.4 only).
source: http://www.powerpulse.net/story.php?storyID=32480
Comments are closed.
