SIGFOX Ready Certification Completed for AX-SF Low-Power Radio SoC
ARM mbed Support Announced Alongside SIGFOX and ARM

ON Semiconductor announced two major strategic developments that enable the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

ON Semiconductor’s AX-SFEU system-on-chip (SoC), developed in collaboration with SIGFOX, a global leader in IoT-specific connectivity, has received full SIGFOX Ready certification for optimal two-way communication in Europe, following ongoing certification in the United States.

Accordingly, IoT product developers can easily utilize SIGFOX’s long-range, bidirectional global IoT network, which enables low-cost, low-power device-to-cloud connectivity solutions highly optimized for environmental sensors, smart meters, patient monitors, security devices, streetlights, and other industrial and consumer applications, through ON Semiconductor’s AX-SF SoC and companion library and development systems.

The AX-SF SoC draws up to 10 milliampere (mA) of current when receiving data and has a sensitivity of 129 decibel-milliwatt (dBm) at 600 bits per second (bps) with GFSK modulation. This design, which does not require an expensive front-end module, incorporates a 23dBm transmitter and consumes only 220mA of current, allowing product designers to significantly extend communication range while maximizing battery life.

Meanwhile, ON Semiconductor announced that it has become an official ARM® mbed™ partner. The NCS36510 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.15.4 compliant transceiver platform will include the mbed OS and Thread stack. Access to the ARM mbed ecosystem combined with thread technology is expected to provide IoT product developers with faster, more stable, and cost-effective solutions with the advantages of end-to-end security and low-power budgets that will further improve the demand for applications.

“ON Semiconductor recognized and responded early to the demand for transceivers providing ultra-low-power wireless connectivity for IoT,” said Stuart Lodge, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Partners at SIGFOX. “Our rapidly growing operating network, with over 7 million registered units in 18 countries including the U.S., requires high reliability for high-performance, low-cost, and ultra-energy-efficient integrated circuits, and our collaboration with ON Semiconductor has made it possible for our customers to verify these solutions.”

Meanwhile, Ryan Cameron, Vice President and General Manager of Industrial and Timing at ON Semiconductor, who has been dedicated to building a portfolio of innovative low-power wireless solutions that enable the rapid development of IoT products and solutions, said, "With our AS-SF ultra-low-power sub GHz solutions, developers are now able to provide stable and reliable bidirectional connectivity to SIGFOX global networks."

Vice President Cameron also emphasized, “Our NCS36510-based 802.15.4 platform for LAN environments is an industry-leading solution that provides users with access to the ARM mbed ecosystem combined with the advantages of Thread for security and interoperability,” adding that “SIGFOX combined with Thread also holds great potential as a precedent for creating new user experiences by combining multiple connectivity solutions.”