Multi-Protocol Wireless Microcontroller Solution

NXP Semiconductors N.V. announced the availability of the first true single-chip multi-protocol wireless MCU with comprehensive enablement – the Kinetis KW41Z MCU family. While supporting concurrent operation of Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) v4.2 and IEEE® 802.15.4 based Thread protocols, this MCU family comes with enough memory (up to 512 KB Flash and 128 KB SRAM) to also run full applications.

Powered by the ARM® Cortex®-M0+ core, the Kinetis KW41Z MCU family offers certified BLE and pre-certified Thread stacks, and is designed to simplify development challenges in creating a seamless connected network of smart devices. These devices are offered in small form-factor WLCSP package for space-constrained applications and AEC-Q100 qualified versions to address emerging interest for BLE in automotive are in development now

With the growing requirement for IoT devices to reliably communicate with one another, Thread offers a robust IP based mesh networking technology for a dedicated secure, scalable and reliable network. At the same time, there is also a growing demand for these connected devices to include BLE protocols, so that they can be controlled and monitored directly using a smart device - such as a smart phone or a tablet – and participate in a Thread network for indirect control and monitoring in the home and through the cloud.

In addition, BLE provides an easy way to securely commission an IoT device into the Thread network. The Kinetis KW41Z MCU with multi-protocol capability is a cost-effective solution that addresses these requirements and also reduces the design cost and complexity, while achieving an overall smaller form factor.

"With the Kinetis KW41Z MCU from NXP and its multi-protocol capabilities, we are able to establish a mesh network consisting of a large number of devices using Thread, and point-to-point communication using BLE. This gives our customers the ultimate in flexibility and ease-of-use in controlling their aquarium LED lighting and pumps,” said Chris Clough, President, C2 Development, Inc.

“Delivering easy-to-use seamless connectivity is critical to the IoT evolution,” said Emmanuel Sambuis, Vice President, MCU and Connectivity products at NXP. “By being the first in the industry to offer a truly complete solution for creating market-ready Thread and BLE based products, we’re enabling developers to shape and contribute to that evolution.”

Ecosystem partners and developers, such as Rigado, are leveraging the Kinetis KW41Z MCU to offer regulatory certified and ready-to-implement modules, which come with hardware and firmware tools, engineering design support, and customization services that significantly speed development and time-to-market.

“Thanks to the unique combination of Thread and BLE on the Kinetis KW41Z MCU, our new R41Z module offers IoT developers a future-proof solution that reduces time-to-market while ensuring the foundation of their connected product is secure and scalable,” said Kevin Tate, Rigado’s Chief Marketing Officer.