Qorvo Introduces First Smart Home Device Controller with Simultaneous Wireless Communication

     Qorvo, Inc. announced the launch of its first smart home communications controller, the QPG6100, designed to enable simultaneous support of multiple ultra-low power wireless protocols. Qorvo's new QPG6100 communications controller for IoT end devices features the company's ConcurrentConnectTM technology—an innovation that accelerates communications, increases home network capacity and scalability, and allows manufacturers to create future-proof connectivity Devices (such as lighting and smart home sensors). The technology supports the simultaneous operation of multiple smart devices, regardless of the major wireless standard they use, helping to remove barriers to the development of the smart home.

     IDC predicts that home automation devices and services will continue to be popular, with global sales of smart home devices expected to reach 1.4 billion units by 2024, a five-year compound annual growth rate of 14%.

     As the Internet of Things expands and the adoption of smart home technology in consumer electronics continues to increase, the challenge for systems engineers and IoT device manufacturers is to ensure that their sensors can communicate quickly and operate efficiently even as new devices are added. In addition to the familiar Wi-Fi, smart lighting, thermostats, security sensors and appliances employ other low-power, low-data-rate wireless standards, including Bluetooth® Low Energy, Thread®, and Zigbee®. With ConcurrentConnect technology, smart home devices can communicate over the home network even if the sensors use different standards or languages.

     Using ConcurrentConnect technology, Qorvo's QPG6100 integrates simultaneous multi-standard support in a single-radio system-on-chip (SoC). The QPG6100 supports all home networking protocols, while allowing the device to continuously receive communication signals without interruption during the listening phase. For example, Qorvo's patented technology allows consumers to quickly dim light bulbs from a smartphone, with no delay.

     When manufacturers combine the QPG6100 with Qorvo's powerful software development kits, they create IoT devices that can manage data traffic from multiple standards or protocols simultaneously without latency. Both the QPG6100 and Qorvo's QPG7015M IoT transceiver for wireless routers and gateways released last year support ConcurrentConnect technology. These two SoCs eliminate the need for manufacturers to choose in advance which technology (ZigBee, Thread or Bluetooth Low Energy) to incorporate in their devices. They can also reduce part count, which reduces cost, simplifies development and support, and offers consumers a smaller, more aesthetically pleasing form factor.

     Cees Links, general manager of Qorvo's Wireless Connectivity Business Unit, said: "ConcurrentConnect technology represents an important step forward for us to support dynamic multi-protocols. Using a gateway or hub and multiple ConcurrentConnect-enabled IoT devices creates a simplified smart home, and Never miss a signal. With simultaneous support for all major wireless protocols, designers and homeowners can ensure seamless connectivity when adding new devices. This increased flexibility will spark more innovative applications in the smart home.”