Silicon Labs has introduced its latest EFR32BG29 Wireless SoC family, which sets a new standard in energy-efficient Bluetooth networking for IoT devices. A part of the EFR32 Wireless SoC portfolio, the EFR32BG29 series is designed to provide seamless connectivity across industries, including portable medical devices, industrial automation, fleet monitoring, Bluetooth mesh, sports, fitness and wellness devices, and smart home applications.
The EFR32BG29 wireless SoC is a highly efficient, high memory, low-power, and ultra compact SoC designed for secure and high-performance wireless networking for IoT devices. It features 1 MB Flash and 256 kB RAM, DCDC Boost to support multiple battery chemistries and allow operation down to 1.2 V, and a Coulomb counter for accurate battery level monitoring. It is also designed for Secure Vault™ High that provides advanced security features, making it ideal for applications and sectors that have rigorous and stringent security and privacy standards. Some applications include battery-powered sensors, asset trackers, tooth implants, CGMS, and wearables.
The EFR32BG29 is powered by a 76.8 MHz ARM Cortex-M33 processor, optimized for low-power operation while delivering high-performance signal processing. The integrated 2.4 GHz radio ensures industry-leading wireless performance, with exceptional receiver sensitivity of -106.8 dBm at 125 kbps GFSK and transmit power up to 8 dBm, making it ideal for long-range and robust IoT communications.
Energy efficiency is a key highlight, with an ultra-low RX current of 3.6 mA at 1 Mbps GFSK and a DeepSleep mode (EM2) consuming as little as 1.5 μA with RTC running. This enables battery-powered devices to operate longer, making it an excellent choice for applications requiring extended lifespans, such as wearable health monitors, asset tracking, and industrial sensors.
Security is another strong suit of the EFR32BG29, featuring Silicon Labs’ Secure Vault™ High with hardware cryptographic acceleration, true random number generator (TRNG) in which random numbers are often used as secret keys that are unpredictable to adversaries, secure boot, and advanced anti-tamper protection. It also features ARM TrustZone which is a security software technology created by ARM for their Cortex-M processors. Another critical security feature is the Secure Attestation technology, which ensures non-cloneable identification. These features ensure data integrity and device protection, meeting the growing demand for secure and resilient IoT deployments.
With extensive protocol support, including Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Mesh, and proprietary wireless technologies, the EFR32BG29 SoC family is set to revolutionize IoT connectivity. Its wide operating voltage range (1.2V to 3.8V) and support for both buck and boost DC-DC configurations further enhance its adaptability across diverse applications.
By introducing the EFR32BG29, Silicon Labs continues to bolster low-power, high-security wireless communication, empowering businesses and developers to create smarter, more efficient, and more connected IoT solutions. The SoCs are available in WLCSP and QFN packaging.
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