Skyworks BLE and Bluetooth 5 Front End Modules

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.  an innovator of high performance analog semiconductors connecting people, places and things, announced that its advanced connectivity engines are being leveraged by Nordic Semiconductor for ultra-low power wireless communications. Specifically, Nordic is utilizing Skyworks’ family of fully-integrated front-end solutions in conjunction with their multi-protocol system-on-chip (SoC) for Bluetooth® Low Energy (LE) and emerging Bluetooth® 5 applications. Together, the combined platform provides superior efficiency ─ making it ideal for battery-powered Internet of Things (IoT) devices ─ while delivering a 4x range advantage for connected home and outdoor usage cases.

Bluetooth® LE is a critical protocol for IoT, given its upgraded communication capabilities and minimal power consumption requirements. Bluetooth® 5 further enhances benefits and supports additional breakthrough features such as extended ranges, higher data throughputs and improved co-existence, all key elements in an increasingly dense network. “Our collaboration with Nordic to deploy premium Bluetooth® systems for diverse markets represents Skyworks’ commitment to enable the future of connectivity,” said John O’Neill, Skyworks’ vice president of marketing. “The intersection of our solutions is driving wireless adoption and elevating performance to higher levels for revolutionary new applications across home automation, automotive, industrial, medical, wearables, mobile and more.”

Skyworks’ portfolio is uniquely designed for Bluetooth®, Zigbee® and Thread interfaces, meeting the growing demand for long-range, low-power and cost-effective products for IoT. Select products include the SKY66112-11 and SKY66403-11 front-end modules that deliver up to 40 percent reduction in current consumption when compared to certain standalone SoCs. In addition, these modules increase sensitivity up to 6 dB, more than doubling the receive range for typical IoT devices.