Connectivity Portfolio Expanded to Enable the Internet of Everything with Cost Effective, Low Power, Single Chip Solution
Qualcomm Incorporated announced that its subsidiary, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc., launched a new chip family as part of its portfolio of low-power Wi-Fi solutions designed to connect a multitude of devices that comprise the Internet of Everything. The QCA4002 and QCA4004 networking platforms include the IP stack and full networking services on the chip to enable customers to add Wi-Fi to virtually any product with minimal development effort or cost. The platforms feature an on-chip processor and memory, which are designed to eliminate the need for a system controller that adds to product cost, complexity and power consumption. Using the QCA4004, customers can now write their own applications on the Qualcomm Atheros platform instead of simply using it for Wi-Fi connectivity.
Target applications for the QCA4002/4004 platforms include major home appliances (such as washing machines, air conditioners, hot water heaters, and so on), consumer electronics, sensors and smart plugs for home lighting, security and automation systems.
The QCA4002/4004 platforms also feature the AllJoyn software framework, which enables the "Internet of things near me" by providing seamless connectivity and communications among a diverse set of products, applications and services to create compelling, proximal user experiences. The AllJoyn software framework provides basic building blocks and includes a set of services that, by design, are very simple and address near-universal requirements for users to interact with nearby things.
Both the QCA4002 and QCA4004 include a Green TX feature that allows devices to reduce the transmit power by up to one-half when in close proximity of another device or access point. This dynamic power adjustment, along with sleep modes consuming less than 1mW, allows for more efficient communication and longer battery life. Additionally, the platforms can wake from suspend four times faster than other products in the category, which reduces the total average power profile and any system latency.
The QCA4002 is available in full production now. The QCA4004 chip is currently sampling and available with an evaluation platform, and will be available in full production during the fourth quarter of this year.
