Silicon Labs and Amazon Deploy Shared Network for Consumer IoT

Silicon Labs, a provider of silicon, software and IoT solutions, recently announced with Amazon that it will help support Amazon Sidewalk, a shared network that can be created by neighbors sharing Wi-Fi bandwidth for neighborhood connectivity.

Silicon Labs’ wireless solutions for Amazon Sidewalk is designed to enable developers to create IoT products with encrypted cloud communication, no matter which protocol is used. Silicon Labs’ EFR Wireless Gecko Series products support Sidewalk's sub-GHz and Bluetooth Low Energy protocols.

“Silicon Labs and Amazon are teaming up to help OEMs create amazing new user experiences with secure, private, easy to set up Sidewalk IoT devices,” said Jake Alamat, VP and GM, IoT home and consumer products, Silicon Labs.

Operated by Amazon at no charge to users, Sidewalk reportedly helps simplify new device setup, extends the working range of low-bandwidth devices, and helps them stay online and up-to-date even if they are outside their home’s Wi-Fi range. With Amazon Sidewalk, users can experience improved coverage of smart devices in and around the home and throughout the neighborhood, enable limited offline connectivity for uses such as motion alerts from security cameras, receive customer support for troubleshooting even when Wi-Fi is down, and set-up new devices.  

Amazon has said that in the future, Sidewalk will power new device experiences such as tools that can self-diagnose problems and order replacement parts, deliver improved range with reduced energy consumption for smart locks, and offer the ability to locate pets or valuables throughout your neighborhood. Equipped with multiple layers of security and privacy, Amazon Sidewalk reportedly will support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) and Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) in the 900 MHz band.