Texas-basedSilicon Labs has introduced two systems-on-chip (SoCs) optimised for common Bluetooth applications such as asset tracking tags and small appliances.

The L at the end of the BG22L and BG24L SoCs shows these are application-optimised light devices.

The BG22L brings a combination of security, processing power and connectivity for high-volume, cost-sensitive and low-power applications. The BG24L includes the Silicon Labs accelerator for AI and ML applications and support for Bluetooth channel sounding for asset tracking and geofencing, even in crowded areas such as packed warehouses and multi-family housing units.

“We know that our customers are always looking for ways to keep pace with the demands of the evolving IoT market while reducing costs,” said Ross Sabolcik, senior vice president at Silicon Labs. “The BG22L and BG24L expand our portfolio to match those customer needs and concerns by providing an optimised set of industry-leading Bluetooth features with our signature IoT capabilities like high RF sensitivity, low power, robust security and powerful compute.”

Channel sounding was one of the most exciting features when the Bluetooth SIG announced Bluetooth 6.0 (www.iotm2mcouncil.org/iot-library/news/iot-newsdesk/bluetooth-enables-true-distance-awareness/) in September 2024. It lets Bluetooth 6.0 devices such as the BG24L SoC use two-way connections to determine the distance between themselves within sub-metre accuracy.

This opens applications from item finding to access control. For example, users could locate keys, wallets or any other Bluetooth 6.0-equipped item at a fraction of the power of other ranging technologies. In commercial and industrial environments, channel sounding brings similar item-finding functionality to retail shelves, distribution centres and more.

Another use case for channel sounding is wireless access control. Bluetooth 6.0-equipped devices can communicate with vehicles, package lockers and other things that generally require an interaction or passcode. By sensing that a device is close, the locker or vehicle can open automatically simply by recognising the signal of the approaching, securely designated Bluetooth device.

With a 78MHz Arm Cortex M33 processor, 768kbyte of flash and 96kbyte of RAM in a 5 by 5mm QFN40 packaging, the BG24L is suitable for high-volume Bluetooth channel sounding. Visit the Silicon Labs YouTube channel to see a demonstration of the Bluetooth channel sounding application using a similar SoC (www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wkxm5sQtZo).

For AI and machine learning applications, the BG24L also includes Silicon Labs’ proprietary MVP matrix vector processor AI and ML accelerator. With the embedded MVP accelerator, the BG24L provides up to eight-times faster inferencing performance using only a sixth of the power compared with performing the same calculations on the Cortex M, thereby extending battery life. This makes the BG24L a suitable ML inferencing platform for time-series data on IoT applications such as sensors and predictive maintenance. Using AI and ML development tools from Silicon Labs and its partners, BG24L is said to be the easiest and most accessible IoT platform for exploring the possibilities of edge AI.

Channel sounding, AI and ML are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Bluetooth applications. However, there are still opportunities to leverage the core strengths of Bluetooth, with billions of devices using it for simple sensors, asset tracking, beacons and streamlined wifi setup for appliances.

The BG22L is designed for these common wireless applications where robust, secure Bluetooth connectivity is needed. BG22L SoCs deliver a balance of cost, power consumption, reliability and performance. Each has a low-power receive mode along with a precision low-frequency RC oscillator that eliminates the need for an external oscillator with no performance loss, which conserves space within the host device while saving on costs and bills of materials for the manufacturer. These enhancements let it operate for up to ten years on a single coin cell battery. 

The BG22L also supports Bluetooth 5.4 and direction finding. It uses a Cortex M33 processor at 38.4MHz, up to 352kbyte of flash, and up to 24kbyte of RAM in a 4 by 4mm QFN32 package.

Both the BG22L and the BG24L are planned for general availability in the second quarter of this year.

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Silicon Labs (www.silabs.com) specialises in secure, intelligent wireless technology. The company has a portfolio of silicon and software for IoT applications, enabling developers to create secure, power-efficient connected devices for smart homes, industrial IoT and smart cities.