BG2B: Building the Next Generation of Secure and Energy-Efficient Bluetooth LE Devices
Bluetooth Low Energy is evolving beyond simple wireless connectivity. Today's connected devices are expected to deliver more functionality while consuming less power, protecting sensitive data and fitting into increasingly compact designs.
At the same time, applications such as digital keys, asset tracking and location-aware devices are creating demand for more accurate distance awareness.
Silicon Labs' BG2B Bluetooth LE SoC brings several of these capabilities together in a single platform, combining ultra-low-power operation, advanced security, Bluetooth Channel Sounding and extensive peripheral integration.
For developers, this combination can help enable more capable connected products while reducing system complexity.
Lower Power for Longer Battery Life
For battery-powered IoT devices, every milliwatt matters. Extending battery life can reduce maintenance requirements, improve the user experience and, in applications such as asset tracking, significantly reduce the need for battery replacement.
BG2B features a dual-output DC-DC architecture designed to improve power efficiency by supplying the RF and digital sections of the device more efficiently.
This makes the platform particularly relevant for compact, battery-powered applications where energy efficiency is a critical design requirement.
Potential applications include:
- Smart tags and asset tracking
- Battery-powered sensors
- Electronic shelf labels
- Compact IoT devices
- Location-aware products
By combining Bluetooth LE connectivity with low-power system architecture, BG2B provides developers with a platform suited to applications where devices may need to operate for extended periods on a small battery.
More Accurate Distance Awareness with Bluetooth Channel Sounding
Wireless connectivity is increasingly being used not only to determine whether devices are connected, but also how far apart they are.
One of the key capabilities of BG2B is support for Bluetooth Channel Sounding, a technology that enables more accurate distance measurement than conventional Bluetooth proximity techniques.
This opens opportunities for applications where distance awareness is important, including:
- Digital keys
- Access control
- Location-aware devices
- Asset tracking
- Smart home applications
BG2B supports features including Mode 3 and NADM, while Silicon Labs provides developers with algorithms, software tools, reference designs and engineering resources to support implementation.
As the Bluetooth ecosystem continues to evolve, Channel Sounding can become an important building block for products that need more precise awareness of the position or distance of nearby devices.
More Integration, Less System Complexity
Wireless connectivity is only one part of a modern embedded system. Depending on the application, designers may also need analog interfaces, automotive connectivity, LED control and other peripherals.
BG2B integrates a broad range of functionality that can help reduce the number of external components required.
Key integrated features include:
- CAN FD
- LED boost and 4-channel LED sink
- Dual 12-bit ADCs
- Extensive peripheral integration
Higher levels of integration can provide practical benefits at the system level, including reduced PCB space, fewer external components and potentially lower overall design complexity.
This is particularly relevant for applications where board space is limited or where multiple functions need to be integrated into a compact device.
Hardware-Based Security for Connected Devices
As connected products become more capable, security is no longer an optional feature. Device identity, cryptographic keys, firmware and sensitive user data all need to be protected throughout the product lifecycle.
BG2B will be available with Secure Vault™ High, providing hardware-based security capabilities for protecting device identity, cryptographic keys, firmware integrity and sensitive data.
Features such as secure boot, secure key management and protection against advanced physical attacks provide a security foundation for connected products where protecting both the device and its data is essential.
For developers, having security capabilities integrated into the SoC can also help simplify the implementation of security features compared with building a protection architecture entirely from external components.
One Platform for Multiple Design Requirements
The growing range of Bluetooth LE applications means developers increasingly need to balance several requirements at once: low power consumption, wireless performance, security, accurate distance measurement and system integration.
BG2B brings these capabilities together in one platform.
For applications such as smart tags, digital keys, electronic shelf labels, industrial monitoring and connected vehicle systems, this combination can help developers create smaller, more intelligent and more energy-efficient products.
The value of BG2B is therefore not simply its Bluetooth connectivity. It is the way several increasingly important technologies—energy efficiency, Channel Sounding, hardware-based security and peripheral integration—are brought together within a single SoC.
Looking Ahead with BG2B
As connected devices continue to become smaller, smarter and more autonomous, the requirements placed on embedded wireless platforms will continue to increase.
Silicon Labs' BG2B provides a platform aimed at this next stage of Bluetooth LE development, giving engineers access to capabilities that can support longer battery life, more accurate distance awareness, stronger security and greater system integration.
Computer Controls supports engineers throughout the design process, from component selection to technical evaluation. Contact our team to learn more about Silicon Labs wireless solutions and discover how BG2B could support your next IoT or embedded design.
Stay connected, stay smart…
