Silicon Labs enables Bluetooth Smart connectivity with energy-efficient SOCs and software solutions

     Silicon Labs has introduced a new line of Blue Gecko wireless SoCs with flexible price/performance options and scalable output power up to +19.5dBm, currently the highest output power in the Bluetooth Smart market. Part of the recently announced Silicon Labs multi-protocol Wireless Gecko portfolio, the new EFR32BG Blue Gecko SoC family sets new standards for scalability, energy efficiency, security, and design convenience in Bluetooth Smart application design. With state-of-the-art development tools and software support, Blue Gecko SoC reduces the cost and complexity of adding Bluetooth Smart to a wide range of applications. These applications include home connectivity, wearables, remote controls, baby monitors, beacons, electronic shelf tags, health and fitness devices, point-of-sale devices, and more.

     The new Blue Gecko SoC enriches Silicon Labs' Blue Gecko product family, which is the most complete, flexible hardware and software solution developed for Bluetooth Smart 4.2-ready. In addition to wireless SoCs, the Blue Gecko product family includes pre-certified wireless modules, Silicon Labs Bluetooth Smart software protocol stacks, and easy-to-use software development kits (SDKS). Customers who need to optimize their bill of Materials (BOM) and research and development costs can start their design work with the Blue Gecko module, which accelerates time to market, simplifies design, minimizes the costs and effort associated with certification, and then, when appropriate, Migrate to a cost-effective Blue Gecko SoC based design with minimal system refactoring and complete software reuse.

     The Blue Gecko SoC offers excellent -94dBm sensitivity and the highest output power in the current Bluetooth Smart market, ranging from -30dBm to +19.5dBm(the maximum transmit power allowed for Bluetoot-certified end products). The SoC offers market-leading wireless performance while reducing design complexity, BOM costs, and board footprint by integrating Balun (Balun). And the software-programmable power amplifier (PA) enables Bluetooth Smart products to provide optimal battery life regardless of the output power selected.

     Daniel Cooley, vice president of iot product marketing at Silicon Labs, said: "Through best-in-class wireless SDKS, software protocol stacks, and global customer support, Blue Gecko SoCs seamlessly integrate RF performance, energy efficiency, security, and design convenience to make smarter choices for the Bluetooth Smart market." "The Blue Gecko product family uses a unified software architecture that allows customers to easily migrate from modules to SOCs as production volumes and product requirements change, while also providing code portability and availability across different Wireless Gecko SoC products."