New Low-Power Radio Chip for Long-Range Connectivity in sensor networks and Future Cellular IoT Applications

Leuven, Belgium - May 24, 2016 - The world-leading nanoelectronics research centers imec and Holst Centre (set up by imec and TNO), presented a low-power wide-area (LPWA) multi-standard radio chip today at imec’s annual technology forum in Brussels (ITF Brussels 2016). The new radio chip is a best-in-class product, which can operate with a lower level of power consumption than any other radio chip technology released to date for long range connectivity in sensor networks. The sub-GHz radio chip’s technology can serve a multitude of protocols including IEEE 802.15.4g/k, W-MBUS, KNX-RF, as well as the popular LoRa and SIGFOX networks, and future cellular IoT for applications such as smart metering, smart home, smart city and critical infrastructure monitoring.

The radio chip operates in industrial, scientific, medical (ISM) and short-range devices (SRD) bands, covering a frequency range from 780MHz to 930MHz. The robust, low-power design combines a large link budget, with state-of-the-art interference rejection and lowest bill of materials by minimizing external components as compared to of-the-shelf available chips. The radio is implemented as a complete System-on-Chip (SoC) including the RF front end, power management, an ARM processor,160kBytes of SRAM and peripherals like SPI, I2C and UART. It features a targeted sensitivity of -120dBm at 0.1% BER (1kbps) and ultra-low power consumption of 8mW (Rx) and 113mW (Tx) for 13.5dBm output power. The receiver supports a wide gain range to handle input signals from -120dBm to -15dBm, corresponding to a large dynamic range of 105dB. The PA features automatic ramp-up and ramp-down for ARIB spectral mask compliancy. Furthermore, the output power is controllable from <-40dBm up to 15dBm.

“With the foreseen release of the NB-IoT protocol in June 2016 by the 3GPP, it is clear that protocols such as NB-IoT, SigFox and LoRA are here to stay for the coming years,” stated Kathleen Philips, program director perceptive systems at imec/Holst Centre. “Our novel sub-GHz radio chip can serve multiple of these protocols and is an ideal solution for long-range wireless connectivity  for IoT applications.” 

Imec’s Industrial Affiliation program on the Intuitive Internet-of-Things (IoT) focuses on developing the building blocks for the future. The program explores an intuitive IoT, with sensor systems that can detect and assist with the needs and wants of people in an unobtrusive way, and can take into account their varied perspectives and surrounding environment. Along with low-power radio chips, imec also develops ultra-small, low-cost, intelligent, and ultra–low power sensors and heterogeneous sensor networks. Interested companies are invited to partner with imec on its varied research initiatives. Companies can also connect with imec to request access to imec’s technological advances to further develop their projects through licensing programs with imec.

About imec

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics and photovoltaics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, USA, China, India and Japan. Its staff of about 2,500 people includes about 740 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2015, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 415 million euro. Further information on imec can be found at  www.imec.be. Stay up to date about what’s happening at imec with the monthly imec magazine, available for tablets and smartphones (as an app for iOS and Android), or via the website  www.imec.be/imecmagazine. 

Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.)and imec China (IMEC Microelectronics (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.) and imec India (Imec India Private Limited).

About Holst Centre

Holst Centre is an independent R&D center that develops technologies for wireless autonomous sensor technologies and for flexible electronics, in an open innovation setting and in dedicated research trajectories. A key feature of Holst Centre is its partnership model with industry and academia based around shared roadmaps and programs. It is this kind of cross-fertilization that enables Holst Centre to tune its scientific strategy to industrial needs.

Holst Centre was set up in 2005 by imec (Flanders, Belgium) and TNO (The Netherlands) and is supported by local, regional and national governments. It is named after Gilles Holst, a Dutch pioneer in Research and Development and first director of Philips Research.

Located on High Tech Campus Eindhoven, Holst Centre benefits from, and contributes to, the state-of-the-art on-site facilities. Holst Centre has over 200 employees from some 28 nations and a commitment from over 40 industrial partners.