Sunrise Micro Devices, an expert in sub-volt wireless design, is now a wireless intellectual property (IP) company delivering complete radio solutions to help accelerate the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Standards-based wireless technologies offer interoperability and enable low-power wireless sensor nodes to connect to the Internet. Enabling a range of semiconductor companies to easily design and deploy devices that include wireless capabilities will result in more IoT products with unique features and applications.
“Our goal is to make low-power wireless connectivity practical for IoT by delivering a radio building block that is truly low-voltage and is straightforward to incorporate into a chip design,” said Dr. Fred Martin, president and CEO at SMD. “Our strong team is deeply rooted in wireless and low-power design and has the strategic financial backing to enable SMD to deliver these compelling solutions.”
Low-power IoT devices require integrated system-on-chip (SoC) solutions. These IoT SoC solutions require processor and radio technology, together with features unique to the target applications. While digital design is well known, implementing low-power radios is still an art form that few companies have mastered. By delivering a complete low-power radio solution as IP, SMD not only satisfies the needs of most vendors, but also enables them to utilize their core competencies in areas they can offer differentiation.
“More than 49 billion Internet of Things devices are expected to ship between 2014 and 2020, and IoT nodes are expected to account for 40 percent of these devices.” said Bill Morelli, associate director, Internet of Things at IHS. “Many of these nodes are devices that until recently did not exist or never existed on the Internet. Integrating low-power, low-cost connectivity solutions that are quick to market will be a crucial element to capitalize on this rapid growth.”
The CORDIO™ product line is SMD’s family of radio IP solutions. Each CORDIO solution includes a pre-qualified, self-contained radio block, related firmware and guidelines for design, test, integration and qualification – the ideal solution to get from design concept to end-user production. With the CORDIO family of radio IP, semiconductor companies have access to cutting-edge, sub-volt radio solutions and can effectively keep pace with evolving standards and processes in a cost-effective, risk-free manner, making it financially and strategically prudent for them to buy vs. make.
Core to all CORDIO radios is native sub-volt operation. Operating below 1 Volt enables the radio to “sip” energy from a battery, thus greatly extending the devices’s life. In addition, it makes it easier to run without batteries by using sources like solar, heat or vibration. With over 20 years of sub-volt design expertise from leading technology companies, SMD’s team applies its know-how to all of the CORDIO designs.