- News
13 November 2017
Skyworks’ front-ends optimize battery life and extend range of ‘nearable’ tracking devices
© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno Publishing
Skyworks Solutions Inc of Woburn, MA, USA (which manufactures analog and mixed-signal semiconductors) says that its connectivity solutions are enabling the new Internet of Things (IoT) application of next-generation tracking devices. Specifically, Skyworks’ high-efficiency front-end systems have been adopted by ‘nearable’ technology firm XY Findables of San Diego, CA, USA to increase battery life and nearly double the range compared with other personal item finders.
XY4+ item finders are using Skyworks’ highly integrated front-end modules designed for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) range extension devices operating in the 2.4-2.485GHz range. Applications include wearables, beacons, sensors, home automation and other IoT platforms.
“By leveraging Skyworks’ fully integrated solutions, we were able to accelerate the introduction of the most powerful Bluetooth item finder available,” says XY’s CEO Arie Trouw. “XY4+’s platform radically improves performance and extends battery life up to five years, supporting our goal of providing consumers both peace of mind and assistance when locating their most valuable items,” he adds.
“Advancing Bluetooth wireless performance in premium products like XY4+ demonstrates our commitment to pioneering breakthrough technologies and addressing demand for connectivity across a broad array of IoT applications,” says Skyworks’ VP of product marketing John O’Neill. “As part of our ambitious vision to connect everyone and everything all the time, we are delighted to partner with innovative companies like XY Findables to offer our system-level expertise and broad product portfolio.”
According to XY, the average person spends about 5 hours per month searching for misplaced items like TV remotes, keys, smartphones, eyewear, wallets and purses. In a recent report from the European Global Navigation Satellite Systems Agency, personal tracking devices are expected to become the fastest-growing market within the location-based services (LBS) sector, with an expected compounded annual growth rate of 18% over 2016-2025.