Silicon Labs Launches New System-on-Chip and Development Tools Optimized for Amazon Sidewalk

Silicon Labs Launches New System-on-Chip and Development Tools Optimized for Amazon Sidewalk to Accelerate Sidewalk Network Adoption

Silicon Labs provides expert support for Sidewalk development

Beijing, China - August 22, 2023 - Silicon Labs, a global leader dedicated to building a more connected world with secure, intelligent wireless connectivity technology, today announced at its fourth annual Works With developer conference a new series of system-on-chips (SoCs) optimized for Amazon Sidewalk - SG23 and SG28 SoCs, as well as a one-stop Developer Journey tool that provides step-by-step guidance and expert advice for Amazon Sidewalk development. With these new devices, development tools and the previously announced Silicon Labs Pro Kit for Amazon Sidewalk, Silicon Labs has strengthened its complete development platform for Amazon's rapidly growing network. Starting today, this new series of SoCs and several other SoCs in the xG28 series are available through Silicon Labs and its distribution partners.

“Amazon Sidewalk brings many unique capabilities to device developers, but also presents some unique requirements,” said Jake Alamat, senior vice president of Home and Living IoT at Silicon Labs. “Through our close collaboration with Amazon, we are taking the lead in providing developers with the hardware, software, and development tools they need to complete the Amazon Sidewalk development process.”

New family of devices optimized for Amazon Sidewalk provides easier access for developers

In today's IoT world, there is a wide variety of technologies and protocols, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to choosing the right development platform for your device. As a leader in the IoT space, Silicon Labs has built its product portfolio around this concept, launching different series of devices and derivatives for different technologies, such as the BG series Bluetooth SoCs and ZG series Z-Wave SoCs, and now the SG series SoCs optimized for Amazon Sidewalk.

The always-on and community-driven Amazon Sidewalk network uses three different radio frequencies: Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) for device configuration and connecting to nearby devices, sub-GHz FSK that supports connection distances of up to one mile, and a private CSS radio for ultra-long-range connections. Most Amazon Sidewalk end devices will support Bluetooth Low Energy and one of two long-range protocols: FSK or CSS. The SG28 includes two dual-band SoCs that support sub-GHz FSK and Bluetooth Low Energy radios. For device manufacturers, the SG28 dual-band device can help simplify their devices and reduce costs by integrating the two most commonly used radio frequencies on Sidewalk end devices in one chip. The SG23 provides security and a strong sub-GHz link budget for long-range end node devices.

Amazon Sidewalk Developer Journey provides expert support to device makers

Amazon Sidewalk will be open to developers on March 28, 2023. While Amazon Sidewalk offers advantages as a standalone network, it is also a new network and developers will need to understand how best to create devices for it.

Recognizing this, Silicon Labs worked directly with Amazon to create the Amazon Sidewalk Developer Journey, powered by Silicon Labs. The developer journey is divided into 3 phases and 12 steps to guide developers through the entire process, from determining whether their target area has Amazon Sidewalk network coverage, all the way to device deployment and ongoing support for field devices. Throughout the process, each step is explained through technical documentation, videos, and code examples, and there is an option to invite Silicon Labs experts for support. Silicon Labs provides all the tools needed for each step, and by following the developer journey, device manufacturers can be better prepared to obtain certification and licensing from Amazon Web Services and Amazon Sidewalk.

Amazon Sidewalk development begins during Silicon Labs Works With developer conference

The fourth annual Silicon Labs Works With developer conference will be held online from August 22-23, Central Time (August 22-24, Beijing Time). This industry-leading event is free to register and provides attendees with more than 60 hours of live and on-demand replay of IoT technical training sessions. Amazon Sidewalk, as one of the emerging ecosystems, will occupy an important position on the 2023 Works With developer conference agenda. Developers can learn how to build devices for the new Amazon Sidewalk network or get more information about sub-GHz SoCs such as SG23 and SG28 through the following sessions:

• LPW-203 Amazon Sidewalk: An Ecosystem Development Journey

• LPW-205 Explore the new FG28 sub-GHz/2.4 GHz dual-band low-power Bluetooth SoC

• AMZ-PNL Amazon Sidewalk: Leveraging a new network of shared communities