Silicon Labs, with a wireless range of over 1 mile
Supports battery life of more than 10 years
Announcing the world's first secure sub-GHz SoC


Silicon Labs today announced new sub-GHz wireless SoCs that deliver long-range RF performance and energy efficiency while achieving Arm PSA Level 3 security certification to meet global demand for high-performance, battery-powered IoT products.

The new EFR32FG23 (FG23) and EFR32ZG23 (ZG23) system-on-chip (SoC) solutions offer flexible multiprotocol sub-GHz connectivity options that support advanced wireless technologies and various modulation schemes, including Amazon Sidewalk, mioty, Wireless M-Bus, Z-Wave, and other proprietary IoT networks.

“Our new secure, ultra-low-power sub-GHz solution extends wireless communication range to more than a mile, providing a powerful opportunity for developers who need scalable, high-performance wireless connectivity to drive innovative IoT technologies,” said Matt Johnson, president of Silicon Labs.

Industrial and commercial use accounts for 60% of global energy consumption, while residential use accounts for 21%. Smart grid technologies, buildings, and home automation IoT systems are positively impacting global sustainability and enabling significant energy consumption reductions. Silicon Labs designed the FG23 and ZG23 SoCs to accelerate sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives in next-generation secure IoT products.

The new FG23 and ZG23 wireless SoC solutions provide an optimal combination of ultra-low transmit and receive current consumption (13.2mA at 10dBm transmit and 4.2mA at 920MHz receive) and best-in-class RF performance (+20dBm output power and -125.3dBm 2.4kbps GFSK receive sensitivity at 868MHz), enabling IoT end nodes to achieve a wireless range of over a mile while operating for over 10 years on a coin cell battery.

Additionally, it supports Secure Vault™, a PSA Level 3 certified technology, enabling developers to protect their IoT products from software and hardware attacks that could damage intellectual property (IP), ecosystems, and brand credibility. The FG23 and ZG23 SoCs enable developers to create IoT products for smart infrastructure, metering, environmental monitoring, remote lighting, industrial control, electronic shelf labels (ESLs), and building and home automation.

◇ Silicon Labs FG23, ZG23 Wireless SoCs

The FG23 targets Amazon Sidewalk, IIoT, smart city, building and home automation markets that require long wireless communication range and battery-powered end nodes. The FG23 wireless SoC offers flexible antenna diversity capabilities that enable best-in-class wireless link budget (-111.2dBm RX @ 920MHz, 50kbps GFSK).

Combining advanced wireless technology with low operating current (26µA/MHz) and sleep mode (1.2µA), the FG23 is an ideal solution for battery-operated field area network nodes, wireless sensors, and connected devices installed in hard-to-reach locations.

The ZG23 further enhances Z-Wave wireless technology with the addition of Secure Vault™, while delivering the same industry-leading RF and power performance as the FG23. Supporting Z-Wave Long Range and Mesh, the ZG23 is the first SoC optimized for both end devices and gateways, and can also support all FG23 protocols.

The ZG23 wireless solution targets the smart home, hotel, and multi-family dwelling (MDU) markets. Based on the ZG23, the ultra-compact SiP module (ZGM230S) exclusively supports Z-Wave, simplifying development and accelerating time to market.

The FR32FG23 SoC, available in 5mm x 5mm QFN40 and 6mm x 6mm QFN48 packages, will begin shipping today. The FG23 development kit will also be available, starting at $39.99. The EFR32ZG23 SoC, ZGM230S module, and kit are expected to be available in the fourth quarter.