Smart-home chipset delivers simultaneous multi-protocol wireless connectivity

By Carolyn Mathas, contributing writer

Redpine Signal’s new RS9116N-DBT chipset not only addresses connectivity requirements of smart-home devices, it provides the power efficiency and hardware-assisted machine-learning (ML) functions needed for artificial-intelligence (AI) and ML smart systems. Given the overload on separate Wi-Fi links and a ZigBee mesh currently trying to carry the load, the chipset provides simultaneously available multi-protocol wireless connectivity, ultra-low power, high data performance, a high level of security, and the ability to run edge intelligence.

The RS9116N-DBT chipset delivers power-efficient and hardware-assisted ML functions for emerging AI and ML in smart systems.

The RS9116N-DBT chipset offers an application-independent low-power mesh running on standard IP protocol, along with nodes independently able to connect to the home Wi-Fi router. It provides connectivity requirements for devices such as smart locks, security cameras, home appliances, alarm systems, doorbells, and robots.

While current SoCs provide approximately seven months of battery life in a smart-home setting, the RS9116N-DBT chipset delivers four years of battery life, which is verified by an independent Tolly Report . The chipset consumes less than 113 μA to maintain cloud connection over Wi-Fi, which is one-fifth to one-fifteenth that of other chipsets in the market, said Redpine. The SoC enables simultaneous operation of multiple wireless protocols, providing both end-node and router functionality.

Additional features include its ability to stream data at up to 100 Mbits/s and compatibility with all generations of Wi-Fi up to Wi-Fi 6. Housed in an 8.8 × 8-mm BGA package, the chipset integrates an Arm Cortex M4 microcontroller, advanced hardware security, and multiple wireless protocols. It contains Wi-Fi, BT, BLE, ZigBee, and Thread protocol stacks; automated mesh formation; and reconfiguration capability for whole-house coverage. The chipset also incorporates a unique wireless wake-up receiver that remains on at a few microamps of current ready to wake up the device when triggered by incoming wireless signals.

The RS9116n-DBT is currently in volume production.