NXP Semiconductors announced that their Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combos and i.MX RT MCU crossover processors are now supported by the MCUXpresso software, which dramatically simplifies product development. With this new level of integration, NXP expands the connectivity capabilities of its EdgeVerse™ edge computing and security platform. By pre-integrating driver support within the MCUXpresso SDK, NXP is providing developers with flexible and scalable platforms to help accelerate compliance, significantly shorten time-to-market, and streamline Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo deployments.
These new platforms make it possible to mix and match the right MCU with the right Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo devices, providing developers with the flexibility needed to meet the performance and power requirements of their IoT, industrial, automotive, and communications infrastructure applications.
Rich MCUXpresso SDK Enablement Tools
NXP has pre-integrated its Wi-Fi/Bluetooth drivers and communications stacks around FreeRTOS, targeting i.MX RT crossover processors to simplify and accelerate application development. By using the MCUXpresso SDK, developers can easily combine wireless connectivity with AI/machine learning capabilities, display controllers, and graphics accelerators integrated into the i.MX RT family. The pre-integrated Wi-Fi/Bluetooth drivers have been verified and tested to deliver several useful examples, including:
- iPerf utility to test device-to-device performance.
- Wi-Fi Direct to scan and connect mobile devices to networks.
- Command Line Interface (CLI) to set Wi-Fi parameters and network properties and experiment with various Wi-Fi settings/parameters.
- Use case development for IoT, industrial, automotive, and communication infrastructure applications.
- Amazon Web Services to use as a framework for IoT products as well as devices, gateway, phone, and cloud connection examples.
Module Partners – The Path to Production
NXP has partnered with leading module vendors, around the world, including Azurewave, Murata, Panasonic, and u-blox to deliver fully certified, platform-integrated modules for developer designs. With additional partners being added throughout the year, NXP’s broad range of module suppliers adds more flexibility for developers to choose the best module for their application and reduce the design complexity, development costs, and the time to certification.
- Azurewave is excited to be collaborating with NXP to launch a complete portfolio of Wi-Fi combo modules that are certified and fully tested by Azurewave’s state-of-art manufacturing facility for high-quality assurance. By combining the power of NXP’s connectivity and processing platforms, our flexible OTS modules will help customers develop products more easily, achieve faster time-to-market, and save valuable resources.
- Murata has a long-standing, successful relationship with NXP in delivering game-changing solutions. Through this collaboration, Murata’s new 8801-based module with a built-in antenna eases the regulatory certification burden and significantly shortens time-to-market for connected products.
- Panasonic chose NXP’s 88W8977 SoC for the PAN9026 module due to its combination of the most important short-range wireless technologies in one chip. Engineered in Germany and manufactured in Slovakia, this module can provide the customers the flexibility for a wide range of wireless applications.
- u-blox is also excited to be working with NXP. Integrated into NXP’s MCUXpresso SDK and i.MX RT MCUs, u-blox' out-of-the-box wireless modules will lower complexity and barriers and enable the efficient development of numerous devices and IoT applications. This means designers can focus on the core value of the device, while easily adding wireless connectivity.
This new integration brings a one-stop-shop approach to platform development with NXP’s highly differentiated offerings that are fully tested and certified, allowing developers to easily and quickly deploy wireless devices at scale.
Click here to know more about Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo modules from NXP.
