Zigbee compatible radios for smart homes

imec/Holst Centre and MegaChips have signed a strategic partnership for joint R&D on ultra-low power (ULP) short radio technology for smart homes and buildings. imec/Holst Centre and MegaChips together to develop an ultra-low power multi-standard sub-GHz radio solution (compatible with ZigBee 900MHz and IEEE802.15.4g) on CMOS technology with a transmit power 2x lower than present devices (60mW) and a receive power five to 10 times lower (6mW) enabling fully-autonomous sensors. Though the devices are designed to consume low power but can generate programmable output transmitter up to 13dBm enables a communication distance up to 2km in free space and guarantees reliable coverage in big industrial premises, in smart metering applications and in non-line-of-sight situations in smart buildings, claimed in the release. “We are pleased that MegaChips has joined our ULP radio R&D program to strengthen our research ecosystem,” said Harmke de Groot, program director ULP Circuits and Devices at imec/Holst Centre. “Combining our partners’ know-how with our expertise in radio design and technology enables new innovative products for IoT while significantly shortening the time-to-market for our industrial partners". "This ultra-low power wireless chip project will become nucleus of our IoT strategy," said Akira Takata, President and CEO of MegaChips Corporation. "We are going to lea...