Infineon Partners with Apple for Secure Wireless Chips

Infineon Technologies has integrated support for the Apple Find My network accessory into its development kit, expanding the capabilities of its ModusToolbox. This enhancement enables the AIROC CYW20829, PSOC 63 Bluetooth microcontroller (MCU), AIROC CYW5591x Wi-Fi/BT connected MCU, and AIROC CYW5551x to leverage Bluetooth technology and seamlessly connect to the Find My network.

The Find My network comprises over a billion Apple devices, offering a convenient and secure method to locate compatible personal items through the Find My app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or the Find Items app on Apple Watch. Previously, this feature was exclusive to items equipped with an Apple AirTag. By attaching an AirTag to valuable items, users could utilize the secure Bluetooth signal emitted by the AirTag to enable nearby Apple devices within the Find My network to anonymously relay the location to iCloud, allowing tracking via the Find My app.

Apple's Find My network accessory program has extended access to third-party device manufacturers, enabling them to develop products that leverage the service. Infineon envisions the integration of Find My functionality into various devices such as e-bikes, power tools, fitness trackers, key fobs, smart watches, voice recorders, and smart glasses, eliminating the need for additional tags.

Shantanu Bhalerao, VP of Wireless Product Line at Infineon, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "Apple Find My opens up a completely new feature for all Bluetooth IoT devices – the ability to locate them with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. We are excited to be part of this program with our Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connected MCUs."

• Low power mode for tracking chips
• Next generation microcontrollers for edge AI

The CYW20829 MCU features a 96MHz ARM Cortex-M33 MCU and a secondary ARM Cortex-M33 dedicated to the Bluetooth controller. With 256 KB of application SRAM, a Quad SPI interface for external Flash selection, and a range of peripherals including CAN FD, PDM, I2S, ADC, and timers, the CYW20829 offers versatility for various applications.

The PSOC 63 MCU, equipped with AIROC Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), boasts a dual-core 150MHz ARM Cortex-M4 and 100MHz M0+ core tailored for AI/ML Edge applications. Its programmable analog front ends, CAPSENSE touch sensing interface, and Bluetooth LE radio make it ideal for IoT applications with 84 programmable GPIOs and overvoltage-tolerant pins.

The CYW5591x WiFi/BT controller supports single/dual/tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth Low-Energy 5.4, ARM TrustZone, PSA Level 2 certification, and matter support. Designed for IoT applications in smart home, industrial, and portable devices, the CYW5551x offers a cost-effective balance of wireless connectivity and power for smart home, wearables, and small form-factor applications.

The AIROC devices feature a unified software framework compatible with Android, Linux, and RTOS platforms, pre-integrated with ModusToolbox software and tools, ensuring seamless development and deployment for IoT solutions.