Silicon Labs Launches BG2B Ultra-Low Power Bluetooth SoC

Key Takeaways

Silicon Labs introduced the BG2B, the lowest-power Bluetooth LE SoC for enhanced IoT devices.
BG2B supports advanced capabilities like secure ranging and integrates various peripherals to reduce component needs.
Incorporating Secure Vault™ technology, BG2B meets strict cybersecurity requirements for connected devices.

Introduction of BG2B SoC

Silicon Labs has unveiled the BG2B, its latest Series 2 Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) system-on-chip (SoC) designed for developers aiming to create smaller, secure, and longer-lasting battery-powered IoT devices. This new offering provides an exceptional combination of power efficiency, security, and robust integration options that meet the increasing complexity of Bluetooth LE applications.

As the demand for features like secure ranging and advanced integration capabilities expands, the BG2B enables developers to maintain compact designs and battery longevity. It incorporates the company’s most efficient Bluetooth architecture, offering various functionalities including Bluetooth Channel Sounding and Secure Vault™ High security, as well as integrated peripherals such as CAN-FD and dual ADCs.

Ultra-Low-Power Design

The BG2B addresses common challenges related to battery life in IoT devices. It employs a dual-output DC-DC architecture that significantly maximizes efficiency across different operational modes—active, receive, and sleep. Notably, it is the most power-efficient Bluetooth LE device in Silicon Labs’ lineup, offering 14%-15% lower microcontroller active current and just 1.1 µA EM2 sleep current, extending battery life for various applications like wireless sensors and smart locks.

Enhanced Channel Sounding Capabilities

For developers focused on location-aware technologies, BG2B boasts advanced Bluetooth Channel Sounding capabilities, compliant with Apple and Google specifications. This facilitates the development of interoperable products across significant mobile ecosystems. BG2B also achieves reduced energy consumption per ranging event, further enhancing its appeal for developers.

Additionally, the SoC integrates LED capabilities, negating the need for external drivers, making it ideal for applications in retail and smart devices. With dual ADCs for simultaneous sampling, BG2B also supports improved battery health assessments.

Commitment to Security

With growing cybersecurity demands for connected devices, BG2B features Secure Vault™ technology to safeguard device identities, firmware, and sensitive data. It aligns with PSA Level 3 compliance and prepares manufacturers for evolving regulations, such as the European Union Cyber Resilience Act. The device can be uniquely provisioned with identities and cryptographic credentials during manufacturing.