Utilizing hardware-based computation to implement high-speed, low-power solutions
It is equipped with a low-power 802.11 b/g/n certified Wi-Fi module.

Microchip Technology (Korea Representative: Han Byung-don) announced that it is providing a fully certified Apple HomeKit-supported Wi-Fi Software Development Kit (SDK).

Through this SDK, MFi licensees can design high-speed, low-power designs for the industry's first hardware-encryptable Wi-Fi-based HomeKit development kit.

Microchip's Wi-Fi SDK combines a hardware encryption suite within the CEC1702, a feature-rich ARM® Cortex®-M4-based microcontroller (MCU), with the WINC1510, an industry-valid, low-power, 802.11 b/g/n certified Wi-Fi module. The hardware-based security engine embedded in this Wi-Fi HomeKit solution significantly reduces system computation time, providing a fast yet user-friendly experience.

Since the execution time of HomeKit commands such as pairing is significantly reduced (pairing setup within 0.95 seconds, pairing verification within 1/10 of a second), the system response becomes faster, enabling a seamless user experience such as opening the front door immediately. This reduction in system operation time leads to lower system power consumption. Using this Wi-Fi SDK, power consumption is low, comparable to Bluetooth® LE-based systems, even when executing critical commands such as pairing, while simultaneously providing enhanced functionality as a Wi-Fi solution.

Furthermore, this Wi-Fi SDK provides excellent hardware security through a hardware-enabled microcontroller. The CEC1702, a powerful yet low-power programmable 32-bit MCU, offers security measures such as Secure Boot, enabling equipment manufacturers to establish a hardware-based root of trust to protect systems from security breaches. Developers can also leverage security features like simple encryption, authentication, private and public key capabilities, and customer programming flexibility to minimize application risks. In addition, the CEC1702 provides 480 KB of SRAM for code and data, offering sufficient code space to store HomeKit protocols and application-specific code.

“As the trend toward home automation grows, the need for connected designs that respond immediately to commands is being emphasized,” said Ian Harris, Vice President of the Computing Products Group at Microchip. “Users dislike having to wait a few seconds to pair devices every time they open the front door. Microchip’s Wi-Fi SDK offers pairing speeds of less than one-tenth of a second and provides industry-leading security features, such as Secure Boot, which is essential for product development in the smart home market.”