Articles Tagged with ''smart''

Skyworks Solutions Inc., an innovator of high performance analog semiconductors enabling a broad range of end markets, commenced volume shipments of several medium to high-power ZigBee® front-end solutions for smart meters, home automation, security sensors and gateway applications. Skyworks’ front-end solutions deliver the industry’s most integrated and highest efficiency devices, enabling leading broadband service providers, security companies and utilities to offer next generation connected home services with increased wireless ranges for applications including monitoring, control, energy management and health care.

The wireless sensor network market, led by ZigBee, grew ten-fold from 2007 to 2010 and exceeded 45 million annual shipments in 2011. “Strong growth is expected for 2012 and beyond as ZigBee pervades the home automation and home entertainment markets, whilst Smart Meters continue to be rolled out across the globe,” commented Peter Cooney, wireless connectivity practice director.

In the first 10 years of its life (up to 2010) cumulative shipments of Bluetooth enabled devices reached 5 billion. Growth has been largely driven by its use in mobile phones and accessories. This market is still growing overall but it will start to plateau out over the next five years. So, will Bluetooth become obsolete before the end of its second decade?

Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) launched its latest Bluetooth® low energy application software, the BLE-Stack 1.2, designed to further drive Bluetooth Smart and Smart Ready devices such as wearables.

Bluetooth Smart and ZigBee will compete in a number of new and emerging markets that require low power wireless connections and interoperability with other devices. Key battlegrounds include connected home devices (remote controls, TVs, STBs, etc.) and wireless sensors (medical, health, sports, home automation, etc.).

RF Micro Devices Inc. announced it has teamed with Silicon Laboratories Inc. to deliver Sub-GHz solutions for a broad range of smart grid applications.