HomeProductsProducts Details

Telink adds security inside BLE chip; Releases updated SDK for Apple’s HomeKit

Date: 27/04/2017
Telink Semiconductor has released the updated version of its Bluetooth Low Energy Software Development Kit (BLE SDK) for Apple HomeKit. The single chip solution featuring built-in security key authentication and the updated SDK is now available to any Apple HomeKit licensees for developing products and accessories.

Apple devices using HomeKit can now communicate with and control Internet of Things (IoT) connected devices in the home, such as smart locks, lights, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems, and sensors, and more.

The Apple HomeKit ecosystem is designed in a way that works around existing iOS devices, with iPad acting as the hub and hence doesnot need a central hub device. HomeKit acts as the interface that ties all the devices in the network together and allows the devices can communicate with each other. HomeKit devices work exclusively on either Bluetooth or WiFi; and there are rigorous encryption requirements to enable a secure environment, and specific chip set requirements are needed to achieve certification. Communications between products using HomeKit is done locally rather than having to transmit data via the cloud.

Apple’s emphasis on security for HomeKit through its end-to-end encryption between the iOS device and accessory make it secure smarthome solution available. Telink’s Bluetooth LE chips, such as TLSR8267 and TLSR8269, were designed with HomeKit in mind from day one and incorporate built-in security features.

According to Wenjun Sheng, CEO of Telink Semiconductor, “Telink is a strong supporter of Apple HomeKit and one of the first ones to deliver SDKs to smart home accessory manufactuers. We already have customers lined up for our new HomeKit chip solution, which means we expect new Telink-based HomeKit devices on the market this year.”

Telink’s patented BLE mesh technology and SDK combined with Apple’s HomeKit, all together can create a smarthome solution which provides concurrent simultaneous real time control of connected devices using different standards. The solution can manage multiple nodes’ online and offline status using network traffic control technology within the chips. Additionally, the technology offers a synchronized control mechanism within multi-hop or large mesh networks. The same hardware can also be used for Apple HomeKit support.