Murata adds Matter module based on NXP chip

  • January 9, 2024
  • Steve Rogerson

Japanese electronics company Murata has expanded its Matter-compliant IoT connectivity portfolio with a module based on an NXP MCU.

The Type 2FR connectivity module is driven by NXP’s RW612 wireless MCU with integrated tri-radio. It measures 12 by 11mm and its integration, efficiency and tri-radio capabilities are said to represent a breakthrough in IoT connectivity.

Target applications include smart-home devices, smart appliances, enterprise and industrial automation, and smart city and smart energy products.

The module supports various communication protocols, including dual-band Wifi 6, BluetoothLow Energy (LE) 5.3, 802.15.4 and Ethernet. This versatility helps ensure seamless connectivity and operational efficiency. Additionally, it is primed for Matter, enabling compatibility with Matter over wifi, Thread and Ethernet, simplifying device interoperability and management.

With its built-in 260MHz Arm Cortex-M33 core, 1.2Mbyte of RAM and 16Mbyte of flash memory, and fortified by NXP EdgeLock security technology, the module establishes a secure environment for a broad spectrum of IoT applications. It offers the flexibility to operate in co-processor mode.

The RW612 is supported by the NXP MCUXpresso ecosystem of software and tools to accelerate development and reduce time to market. The device also has full regulatory certification and provides external antenna options for compliance and reliability.

“Murata’s commitment to innovation and collaboration is evidenced in this miniaturised, high-performance, highly integrated module,” said Mehul Udani, vice president for Murata in the Americas. “By leveraging our proprietary technology and NXP’s latest tri-radio wireless MCU, we have delivered a robust solution that is approximately 50 per cent smaller compared with discrete implementation. Further, the wifi and Ethernet capability allows the IoT device to function as a border router to enable other new applications.”

Larry Olivas, vice president at NXP Semiconductors (www.nxp.com), added: “Murata possesses a strong mass market portfolio of wireless modules based on NXP’s ICs. This latest offering demonstrates an advancement that enables a complete system in a module, thus reducing design time and risk for IoT developers.”

The announcement represents an expansion of Murata’s class of IoT offerings announced in March last year. The Type 2EL is a small and high-performance module based on NXP’s IW612 combo chipset and supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax plus Bluetooth 5.3 BR/EDR/LE plus 802.15.4. The Type 2DL is based on NXP’s IW611 combo chipset and supports IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax plus Bluetooth 5.3 BR/EDR/LE.

Murata (murata.com) is showing its Matter-enabled tri-radio modules at this week’s CES (www.ces.tech) in Las Vegas on stand 6300 in the West Hall.