NXP Semiconductors has announced that it now offers beta Ultra-Wideband (UWB) development tools from its NXP Trimension™ portfolio that interoperate with the U1 chip in Apple products. The beta development tools will allow developers to kick-start the design of innovative applications that interact with UWB enabled Apple products including iPhone and Apple Watch, unleashing the ability to create more precise, directionally aware app experiences.
UWB delivers spatial awareness, which is a new dimension of information. Knowing where a device is in relation to other devices, with an extreme level of accuracy, provides valuable location context. With access to Apple’s Nearby Interaction protocol and API, developers will have the ability to leverage the spatial awareness of UWB to build apps that can communicate with accessories simply by being in close proximity to an U1-equipped iPhone or Apple Watch.
NXP’s development tools are based on NXP Trimension SR150 and SR040, a dedicated portfolio of UWB IoT solutions that stand out for their ability to run UWB autonomously with all firmware running on chip. All PHY/MAC operation is handled within the UWB IC in accordance with FiRa Consortium specifications, helping developers to get solutions to market fast.
By working with regional partners, NXP offers a growing range of tools to access Apple's Nearby Interaction protocol. The UWB Development Kit by Murata enables a wide range of IoT devices to perform localization tasks or create a setup with multiple UWB anchors. Together with MobileKnowledge NXP further provides a UWB Development Kit with Arduino Connector to bring UWB to IoT devices, such as coin-cell battery powered trackers and tags. More tools are planned to be released in the coming weeks.
Rafael Sotomayor, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Connectivity and Security for NXP Semiconductors, said that Trimension development tools are now available to help developers unleash the full potential of Apple’s Nearby Interaction protocol and API. Their curated range of development tools are ready to power the next exciting phase of UWB development, bringing them closer to a world that anticipates and automates to meet their needs.
Click here to learn more about the secure UWB development kits that interoperate with Apple U1.
