Ultra-low-power Wi-Fi SoC extends battery life for IoT devices

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Dialog Semiconductor plc has launched the DA16200 , an integrated ultra-low-power Wi-Fi networking SoC, and two modules that leverage the company’s VirtualZero technology. Optimized for battery-powered IoT devices, the DA16200’s VirtualZero technology enables ultra-low power consumption that typically delivers at least one year of battery life even for continuously connected devices.

“Three to five years of battery life is common,” said Dialog. The Wi-Fi SoC uses an algorithm-driven design to provide the lowest power to extend battery life while also maintaining a continuous Wi-Fi connection.

In addition, the integrated DA16200 runs the entire Wi-Fi system, security, and networking protocol stack, which eliminates the need for an external network processor, CPU, or microcontroller. It integrates an 802.11b/g/n radio (PHY), baseband processor, MAC, on-chip memory, dedicated encryption engine, and an Arm Cortex-M4F host networking applications processor on a single monolithic silicon die.

The DA16200 also features an integrated power amplifier (PA) and low-noise amplifier (LNA) to deliver an extended range without compromising the battery life, said Dialog.

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Dialog also launched two DA16200-based modules to make it easier to implement Wi-Fi. Both modules include 4-MB flash memory and all required RF components, including a crystal oscillator, an RF-lumped filter, and either a chip antenna or a u.FL connector for an external antenna. The modules are fully certified for worldwide operation, including certifications for FCC, IC, CE, Telec, Korea, and SRRC. Both the SoC and modules are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED for interoperability.

The DA16200 SoC and modules address security with the latest-generation hardware encryption engine and authentication standards. They meet WPA/2/3 Personal and Enterprise standards, feature upper-layer security for TLS and HTTPs, can be securely booted and debugged, and provide secure asset storage.

Evaluation boards and a software development kit (SDK) are available for the DA16200 SoC and modules via Digi-Key. The SDK includes sample applications, provisioning apps, AT command library, and power management tools.