In what is billed as the first single-chip to integrate on-chip processing capabilities with both short-range ultra-wideband (UWB) radar and secure ranging, NXP Semiconductors N.V.’s Trimension SR250 is targeted at internet of things (IoT) and consumer applications.
The device will allow a range of user experiences based on location, presence or motion detection.
NXP said the low-power short-range UWB radar operated at 6.8.5 GHz combined with secure ranging and angle-of-arrival (AoA) calculations for human or object detection and secure positioning as well as UWB mapping. It could be used for improving privacy and detection capabilities in smart home or industrial sectors such as:
- Turning lights or TV on or off based on presence
- Enabling secure home access capabilities
- Monitoring senior safety
- Tracking location of workers, goods or assets
- Access control
- Collision avoidance
- Danger zone detection
Additionally, the device can be combined with EdgeLock SE051 secure element for applications where more security is needed.
How it works
With on-chip radar processing, this function is done autonomously and reduces overall energy consumption in a system.
NXP gave an example of a host processor in a deep sleep mode and the SR250 using the on-chip presence detection to sense a moving person or object. This on-chip processing is crucial for autonomous home and industrial IoT options. This then allows the system to take actions like activating or deactivating an HVAC or autonomous robot as a user enters or leaves a zone like in a smart home or a danger zone of a smart factory.
