NXP Launches FRDM-KW40Z and USB-KW40Z for IoT Projects
Can be used in home automation, building automation, and healthcare.

Online electronic components shopping mall Element14 (http://kr.element14.com/) announced that it will be adding NXP's low-cost development platform products to its wide product portfolio that can be used in the Internet of Things (IoT).

The FRDM-KW40Z utilizes the Kinetis® W series KW40Z/30Z/20Z (KW40Z) product family and is ideal for IoT applications such as home automation, building automation, and healthcare.
Based on the ARM® Cortex®-M0+ processor, the FRDM-KW40Z has a built-in 2.4 GHz transceiver and supports Bluetooth® Smart/Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) v4.1 and/or IEEE® 802.15.4 standards.

Consisting of two boards, it allows for point-to-point connection without any additional setup. Each board can also be configured with a Freedom shield for connection to a Freedom development board or host processor.

The FRDM-KW40Z has a form factor compatible with the Arduino™ R3 pin layout, allowing the use of a variety of expansion boards. Additionally, the PCB F-type antenna provides optimized high-sensitivity 2.4 GHz wireless functionality, which can be utilized for test equipment bypass via SMA connections, multiple power supplies, push and capacitive touch buttons, switches, LEDs, and integrated sensors.

The newly added USB-KW40Z shares the same development platform as the FRDM-KW40Z, but is offered in a convenient USB dongle form factor. The USB-KW40Z can be used as a Bluetooth® Smart/Bluetooth® Low Energy and/or IEEE® 802.15.4 packet sniffer or development board for optimal connectivity and efficiency.

This packet sniffer is essential for wireless network development, enabling over-the-air (OTA) traffic monitoring and supporting BLE and 802.15.4 protocols, enabling the continued development of power-efficient IoT applications and leveraging BLE capabilities in medical and fitness wearables. The 802.15.4 standard has been widely adopted as an advanced, ultra-low-power, low-cost mesh network technology for home automation applications and is expected to grow further as its use expands into commercial and industrial applications such as lighting and building automation.

David Shen, CTO of Premier Farnell, commented on the product range expansion: “As the demand for IoT applications grows, so does the need for development platforms to integrate low-cost, low-power network protocols into products. By adding the IoT capabilities of the FRDM-KW40Z and USB-KW40Z to our continuously expanding range, element14 is able to help development engineers take advantage of the latest technologies that can push the boundaries of innovation in connectivity and IoT.”