NXP adds Multi-Protocol Sub-GHz Wireless Transceiver Platform
NXP Semiconductors today launched the OL2385 family of turnkey sub-GHz wireless transceivers, adding to its industry leading, low-power microcontroller and 2.4 GHz portfolio for IoT applications. This portfolio combines scalable computing, wireless connectivity, embedded security, sensors and software to provide integrated solutions for low-power, industrial IoT applications.
The OL2385 is based on a PIN-to-PIN compatible sub-GHz transceiver hardware platform and supports multiple wireless protocols such as Sigfox, W-MBus powered by Xemex and ZigBee® IEEE 802.15.4. The transceivers combine excellent RF performance with low-power consumption making it suited for battery powered applications such as home and building automation, smart metering as well as asset tracking and monitoring. The platform is designed to shorten design cycles with NXP software stacks tested for standards compliance and delivered with pre-certified binaries.
"Sigfox is pleased to have NXP Semiconductors join the ecosystem to provide our customers even more choice of software and hardware platforms," said Tony Francesca, vice president of global ecosystem partners, Sigfox. "The OL2385 reference design is Sigfox verified having very good performance with outstanding receive sensitivity. The new NXP transceivers are optimized solutions for global module manufacturers such as Innocomm to deliver ultra-low cost IoT modules that will fuel the IoT mass-market deployment."
Andrew Chien, vice president of business development, Innocomm added, "With our Sigfox verified modules based on the OL2385, we are able to shorten the IoT device maker development cycle significantly while providing connectivity to the Sigfox network globally."
A two-way RF channel and common modulation schemes for networking applications allow the OL2385 family of transceivers to cover a full range of frequency bands from 160 to 960 MHz. Its extended range radio operation is enabled with high sensitivity, up to -128 dBm, while its operation in congested environments is enhanced with 60 dB at 1 MHz of blocking performance and 60 dB of image rejection that is best in class by approximately 10 dB. Specifically, the challenges of radio compliance in more complex applications like W-MBus and ZigBee 868 have been addressed in this device.
Gert-Jan van der Hurk, managing director of Xemex noted "We completed extensive testing of OL2385 for its suitability for W-MBus compliance, confirming that it satisfies the specification in the different modes and that we can offer our W-MBus stack with the device."
The hardware and software for the OL2385 platform is provided in a one-stop-shop concept, with components supplied by NXP. The OL2385 platform samples and development boards with SIGFOX are available now through your sales representative. Mass production of pre-programmed parts are scheduled to start at the end of Q4/2017. The W-MBus software is readily available for evaluation and IEEE802.15.4 compliant samples are expected to become available in Q2 2017. W-MBus and IEEE802.15.4 pre-programmed parts are scheduled to become available for mass market in the 2nd quarter of 2017.
