Advanced AI ML SoC Runs Matter and Zigbee Simultaneously

Silicon Labs has introduced its MG26 family of wireless SoCs, which are touted as the most advanced high-performance Matter and concurrent multiprotocol SoC in the market. The MG26 stands out by offering double the Flash and RAM compared to other multiprotocol devices from Silicon Labs. This enhanced capability allows for more robust and versatile applications in the IoT space.

The MG26 SoC is designed to deliver cutting-edge AI/ML processing and top-notch security features, ensuring that it is well-equipped to support future-proof Matter applications. With an industry-leading RF performance-to-energy-efficiency ratio, the MG26 boasts impressive transmission power and receiver sensitivity, enabling the development of long-lasting battery-powered IoT devices with exceptional wireless performance.

One of the key features that sets Silicon Labs apart is its Custom Part Manufacturing Service (CPMS), which enhances security by allowing customers to customize their orders with their own Matter device attestation certificates. This customization not only streamlines product launches but also serves as a deterrent against IP theft and counterfeiting, providing peace of mind for both manufacturers and end-users.

According to Jacob Alamat, senior vice president for the Home and Life business unit at Silicon Labs, the MG26 is not just about raising the bar for multiprotocol wireless performance in smart home applications. It is about reshaping the landscape of IoT connectivity with Matter, setting a new standard for what is achievable in the realm of smart devices.

The MG26 SoC family's concurrent multiprotocol capabilities enable seamless integration of various Smart Home and Building devices into both Matter and Zigbee networks simultaneously. This interoperability allows users to create sophisticated automation routines that span across different ecosystems, enhancing the overall smart home experience.

With higher compute power in a multicore format, the MG26 SoC family features an ARM Cortex-M33 CPU and dedicated cores for the radio and security subsystems. This design optimizes performance by freeing up the main core for customer applications, ensuring efficient utilization of resources for a wide range of IoT tasks.

Furthermore, the embedded accelerator in the MG26 delivers AI/ML capabilities that significantly enhance performance in critical IoT functions such as predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, and vision processing. The hardware acceleration enables faster processing of machine learning algorithms while consuming minimal power, paving the way for more efficient and intelligent IoT applications.

Compared to its predecessor, the MG24 device family, the MG26 devices offer double the Flash, RAM, and GPIO capacity. This expanded capacity empowers IoT developers to create advanced edge applications that leverage larger machine learning models for improved performance. It also enables the processing of more complex machine learning workloads, opening up new possibilities for innovation in the IoT space.

By prioritizing security, the MG26 SoC family incorporates Silicon Labs Secure Vault and ARM TrustZone, ensuring compliance with all Matter security requirements. Through the Custom Part Manufacturing Service, MG26 devices can be tailored with customer-specific security features during the fabrication process, bolstering their resilience against potential vulnerabilities.

Nuki, an Austrian smart lock manufacturer, has selected Silicon Labs as its Matter partner for their latest Smart Lock, which is set to debut in the U.S. market in 2025. The collaboration aims to deliver a reliable and efficient smart lock solution that is compatible with both European and US doors. By leveraging Silicon Labs' Matter-ready SoCs, Nuki's Smart Lock offers seamless connectivity, extended battery life, and support for multiple wireless protocols, enhancing the overall user experience.

Jürgen Pansy, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer of Nuki, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the compact design and energy-saving features enabled by Silicon Labs hardware. The Smart Lock's support for Matter via Thread, along with additional connectivity options like Bluetooth LE and Wi-Fi, underscores the versatility and connectivity prowess of the Silicon Labs ecosystem.