TI Unveils SimpleLink™ Wi-Fi 6 ICs for Electronic Components

Texas Instruments (TI) has announced the release of a new series of integrated circuits (ICs) under the SimpleLink™ brand, offering Wi-Fi 6 capabilities. These ICs are specifically designed to cater to the electronic components industry, providing cost-effective solutions for high-density or high-temperature applications operating at up to 105ºC. The aim is to deliver highly reliable, secure, and efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.

The initial product lineup within the CC33xx series includes ICs that exclusively support Wi-Fi 6, as well as ICs that combine Wi-Fi 6 with low-power Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, all integrated into a single device. By connecting these CC33xx ICs to microcontrollers (MCUs) or processors, design engineers can establish secure Internet of Things (IoT) connections with robust radio frequency (RF) performance. This opens up opportunities for various industrial markets, including power grid infrastructure, healthcare, and building automation.

Kevin Robinson, CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance, expressed his thoughts on the significance of Wi-Fi 6 adoption. He stated, "The rapid adoption of Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E anticipates a global shipment volume of 2.5 billion Wi-Fi 6 devices in 2023. Wi-Fi has become an ideal solution for diverse industrial IoT applications. The innovative technologies developed by companies like Texas Instruments empower the proliferation of Wi-Fi-based applications, encompassing electric vehicle charging systems, smart meters, and smart home appliances, delivering reliable, consistent, and efficient connectivity in the IoT market."

The newly introduced SimpleLink CC3300 Wi-Fi 6 IC and CC3301 Wi-Fi 6 with low-power Bluetooth 5.3 IC are part of Texas Instruments' expanding portfolio of wireless connectivity products. Operating at 2.4 GHz, the CC33xx devices offer enhanced Wi-Fi network efficiency and reliable connections across over 230 access points, even in temperatures ranging from -40ºC to 105ºC. These ICs provide an affordable solution for design engineers to directly connect their IoT edge nodes to home or enterprise access points without the need for additional equipment.

Moreover, the SimpleLink CC3300 and CC3301 Wi-Fi 6 ICs seamlessly integrate with TI's MCUs and processors, as well as those from other companies supporting Linux® or real-time operating systems (RTOS). For instance, the CC33xx products effortlessly connect to Texas Instruments' state-of-the-art AM62A Arm® Cortex® visual processors, capable of supporting artificial intelligence (AI). This integration enables the reliable Wi-Fi connectivity of smart devices equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities to the cloud in various edge AI applications, such as smart home appliances and security cameras.