IoT & Smart Home

Smart home and consumer IoT products demand connectivity that is always on, secure, and energy-efficient. SaberTek wireless IP provides the RF and mixed-signal foundation for Wi-Fi 6, BLE, and sub-GHz connectivity in compact, cost-sensitive devices such as smart plugs, thermostats, security cameras, and home automation hubs.

Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) BLE Sub-GHz IoT Gateway & End Node

System Requirements & Challenges

IoT and smart home platforms are typically built around low-cost MCUs or application processors with tight power budgets and aggressive BOM targets. Wireless connectivity must coexist with other radios, operate from noisy switch-mode supplies, and maintain robust network performance in RF-congested residential environments.

Devices are often battery-powered or energy-harvested, which places strict limits on average current consumption. Network traffic is typically bursty, which favors architectures that minimize energy in idle and standby states while still supporting fast wake-up and association times.

Key Design Challenges

  • Meeting aggressive power budgets for always-connected devices.
  • Providing sufficient link margin in crowded 2.4 GHz bands.
  • Achieving low BOM with minimal external RF components.
  • Supporting coexistence with multiple radios and noise sources.
  • Scaling the same RF IP across entry-level and premium SKUs.

SaberTek IP for IoT & Smart Home

SaberTek offers Wi-Fi and BLE-capable transceiver IP and complementary data-converter IP blocks that enable high-integration SoCs for smart home products. Our RF front-ends are optimized for low EVM, high linearity, and robust blocking performance while maintaining low active and sleep currents.

Transceivers are architected to simplify front-end matching and PA drive, enabling use with low-cost RF front-end modules or on-chip PAs depending on the product tier. Integrated synthesizers, LNAs, and mixers minimize external component count and layout complexity.

Recommended IP Blocks

  • SBR7525 – 2.4 GHz 802.11ax + BLE transceiver with integrated PA, ideal for Wi-Fi + BLE hubs and high-performance nodes.
  • SBR7570 – 2.4 GHz 802.11ax + BLE transceiver with additional sub-GHz path for multi-band smart home gateways.
  • SBR6201 – 2.4 GHz + sub-GHz 802.15.4g/802.11ah transceiver for Wi-SUN and long-range home/neighbor networks.
  • SBR0162ADC / SBR0640DAC – I/Q data converters for advanced Wi-Fi front-ends or custom PHY implementations.

Example System Architectures

In a typical smart plug or thermostat, a single-chip SoC integrates Wi-Fi 6 + BLE alongside an MCU, power management, and security blocks. SaberTek transceiver IP connects directly to the digital baseband and host CPU over standard digital interfaces, while the on-chip PA and LNA drive a compact antenna network.

For higher-performance gateways or set-top boxes, multiple radios can be combined: a high-throughput Wi-Fi 6 transceiver for broadband backhaul plus a lower-power BLE/IoT radio for accessories and sensors. SaberTek IP allows reuse of RF building blocks across multiple dies and process nodes, simplifying portfolio management.

Typical Integration Features

  • Single 2.4 GHz RF front-end shared by Wi-Fi and BLE PHYs.
  • On-chip PA to drive PCB trace or chip antenna.
  • DC-DC compatible supply interfaces and integrated bias.
  • Support for low-power listen modes and fast wake-up.
  • Hooks for coexistence with cellular or other ISM-band radios.

Representative Use Cases

Smart Home Gateways

Multi-protocol hubs that aggregate Wi-Fi, BLE, and sub-GHz traffic from a variety of sensors and actuators. SaberTek IP supports multi-radio gateway designs with flexible RF partitioning and multi-band coverage.

Battery-Powered Sensors

Temperature, humidity, door/window, and occupancy sensors require years of battery life. Ultra-low-power standby modes and efficient wake-up sequencing in SaberTek-based radios support these demanding lifetimes.

Video Doorbells & Cameras

High-throughput Wi-Fi 6 plus optimized RF front-ends deliver robust streaming in challenging RF conditions, while BLE enables simple commissioning and accessory pairing.

Appliance Connectivity Modules

Modular designs for white goods and consumer devices can reuse the same SaberTek-based radio module across multiple product lines, simplifying certification and logistics.

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