By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief
Delivering pre-integrated and tested processor and wireless connectivity solutions for Linux- and Android-based systems, Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in partnership with Cypress Semiconductor Corp. and NXP Semiconductors N.V. is rolling out a wide range of mix-and-match wireless connectivity and processing solutions for IoT developers that will help shorten their time-to-market cycle. The pre-certified solutions combine Murata’s wireless modules, based on Cypress’s Wi-Fi and Bluetooth combos, and a range of processors from the NXP i.MX series.
The solutions are not tied to just one processor or one type of connectivity; it works across a portfolio of products and enables engineers to create solutions that are low-cost, plug-and-play, and easy to adopt and use, said Mehul Udani, director, Connectivity Solutions, Murata Americas.
By offering a broad range of scalable processing platforms including i.MX 6, i.MX 7, and i.MX 8 Series application processors and i.MX RT crossover processors, these platform solutions can be used in a variety of applications including battery-powered IoT devices, industrial equipment, and subsystems for connected cars. The platform also offers a range of Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity options including 1×1 802.11bgn, 802.11abgn, and 802.11ac up to 2×2 802.11ac, as well as Bluetooth 5.0 and M.2 connections for greater flexibility.
It’s a ground-up effort that addresses software, hardware, and integration — all aspects of design, added Udani. “It has to be simple, easy to use, and offer seamless integration of connectivity with the microprocessor.”
It simplifies the evaluation process but also, for NXP, it fills an important aspect of enablement, said Nick Sargologos, senior manager, Wi-Fi Strategy & Solutions, NXP. “We know that well over 50% of i.MX products that we sell go into devices that have Wi-Fi connectivity as a functional element of the product, and through this partnership, we’re able to provide industry-leading Wi-Fi solutions [that are] compatible and easy to use with our evaluation boards.”
The new solutions solve some of the IoT developers’ biggest pain points — Wi-Fi integration and certification. Each hardware platform and related software is fully validated and offers direct access to software in NXP’s Linux board support package and MCUXpresso SDK.
One of the challenges is that RF is still kind of a black art, and it’s tough because it’s very challenging for the customer base to use — even expert customers, said Jeff Baer, senior director of product marketing, Cypress Semiconductor. “We bring that building block while Murata does the packaging, testing, and tuning to make it easy for our mutual customers to add this wireless connectivity without becoming wireless experts and to get to market quickly and efficiently.”
The portfolio also offers engineers the ability to reuse some of their efforts. Once the engineers are familiar with the platform, if they need to change the processor or connectivity for a different program, the ROI will be much better because they don’t have to restart from scratch, said Udani.
The Wi-Fi/Bluetooth solutions will be available through the distribution channel, starting with Mouser Electronics . Other distribution partners include Digi-Key, Avnet, Arrow, Future, and TTI. Adapter cards are available to connect SD and microSD to M.2 connectors, which allows customers to use the suite of solutions on any evaluation board that supports the i.MX product family. Pricing for the M.2 EVB/adapters will be less than $50 in the distribution channel. Here’s the availability schedule:
The Wi-Fi evaluation kits, including M.2 modules also will be available through NXP’s preferred partner, Embedded Artists.
Cypress and Murata are demonstrating IoT solutions at the embedded world 2019 trade show in Cypress’s Stand #148 in Hall 4A, Nuremberg Exhibition Center.
Advertisement
Learn more about Electronic Products Magazine
