CSEM's new Sub-1V Bluetooth Smart RF transceiver IP offers best-in-class per-formance for wearable sensors and IOT

Switzerland -- August 20, 2014 -- CSEM has announced the availability of IcyTRX-65, a 2.4GHz sili-con RF IP optimised for low power Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth Low Energy) circuits. Consuming only 5mW and directly powered from a 1V battery, IcyTRX-65 sets a new benchmark for low pow-er BLE circuits.

When IcyTRX was released in 2012 it set a new level of performance for low power 2.4GHz RF IPs. The last two years have witnessed an explosion of demand for BLE-connected sensors, for sports, healthcare and wearable sensors, driving new demands for even higher performance solutions.

CSEM has now introduced "IcyTRX-65", a 65nm CMOS version of the IcyTRX IP, offering even lower power performance: 5mA current consumption directly from a 1V battery, a best-in-class sensitivity of -97dBm and a transmitter frequency synthesizer settling time of only 5μs, along with full BT4.1 compliance. IcyTRX-65 operates down to 0.9V, allowing the use of small coin-cell batteries. The unique architecture results in a highly integrated solution, with a die size of less than 2mm2, and no external matching components required. Furthermore the flexible and programmable baseband offers a programmable data-rate up to 4MB/s and allows use with IEEE802.15.4 protocols (e.g. Zigbee) as well as with proprietary protocols.

IcyTRX-65 is silicon proven and available for license. It is fully characterized, exceeding the requirements of BT4.1, and samples and evaluation kits are available.

IcyTRX-65 evaluation kit (EVK)

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CSEM, founded in 1984, is a private research and development center specializing in microtechnology, nanotechnology, microelectronics, system engineering, photovoltaics and communications technologies. Over 400 highly qualified and specialized employees from various scientific and technical disciplines work for CSEM in Neuchtel, Zurich, Muttenz, Alpnach and Landquart.