Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442793
9 Multiprotocol connectivity provides a unique approach to add functionality being requested by consumers and businesses. To provide the necessary scalability and robustness in home or building automation scenarios device-to-device communication over a mesh network is an ideal implementation. At the same time being able to setup, control, or monitor an individual device or a set of devices directly from a smartphone is a feature being requested to simplify consumer experience and provide more immediate diagnostic information to technicians for installation. Value added services such as providing proximity-based advertisements in retail settings, transmitting system health information for technicians, and tracking assets in warehouses can be delivered through connected devices such as lights. At the same time, there is a desire to participate in multiple ecosystems whether it's Alexa, Apple HomeKit, or Google Home, each with their own protocols or integration requirements. By supporting multiple protocols on an individual device we are able to address a number of the needs we just discussed. Providing New Experiences with Multiple Wireless Protocols Let's examine how the experience in home automation scenarios can be improved with devices that support multiple protocols. Zigbee provides whole home coverage with its mesh capabilities and can provide control from outside the home via a gateway. However, with multiprotocol support, we can further expand the use case to include the phone, which has Bluetooth low energy, for local control and location aware services. This video illustrates how a smartphone app can connect to a smart door lock over Bluetooth to unlock it. By supporting both Bluetooth and Zigbee connectivity the door lock unlocks after receiving Bluetooth communication and is simultaneously able to send a Zigbee message to turn on the living room lights. Using proximity aware services such as Bluetooth beacons when the smartphone is brought into the bedroom, the lights can send a Bluetooth beacon message to allow the consumer to turn on all or some of the lights in the room. In retail or commercial settings, there is a desire to make use of technologies such as Bluetooth Beacons to provide location-based advertisements, track assets, and also develop heat maps of foot traffic. One of the challenges for wide scale adoption is the need for dedicated beacon devices. For device life cycle management, the range of connectivity also has impact on the logistics of updating devices. Expand Device Capability with Multiprotocol Bluetooth and Zigbee Connectivity By Damon Barnes, IoT Portfolio Marketing Manager, Silicon Labs