Silicon Labs has released what it considers to be the industry's most cost-effective voice ZigBee remote control solution. By implementing high-quality, software-based audio codecs in a single-chip wireless SoC, this comprehensive reference design solution greatly reduces the need for expensive external hardware. The new software codec is a key part of Silicon Labs form factor reference design for voice-enabled, ZigBee-based proprietary remotes that bring voice capabilities to TVs, set-top boxes, set-top boxes (OTT), and networking Household products.
As many "things" of the Internet of Things become more intelligent and tightly connected, it becomes more and more difficult to integrate feature-rich user interfaces into small devices. Voice support is changing the way we control and interact with connected devices by providing an easier, hands-free way to search, explore and experience content and services. By combining RF-based speech technology and cloud-based speech recognition, a voice-enabled remote removes consumers from the restrictions of sight and buttons based on traditional infrared (IR) controls. Silicon Labs' new voice codec technology and complete reference design simplify the process of designing a truly smart remote.
Silicon Labs' new ZigBee Remote Control (ZRC) reference design provides all the hardware and software needed to develop a full-featured, voice-enabled remote control. This reference design is based on Silicon Labs' EM34x wireless SoC and ZRC 2.0 Golden Unit certified software stack, which provides an industry standard method for interoperable, low-power RF remote control. This reference design includes a complete RF layout and design file, an acceleration sensor for backlight control, a buzzer for the "find me" function, support for IR control, a digital microphone, and the ability to transmit voice commands via RF.
Silicon Labs has designed a reference design to support voice control using external hardware codecs or the company's software codec technology. Hardware codecs reduce the processing load on the EM34x SoC, while software codecs are traded off at the cost of increased CPU utilization at the lowest bill of materials (BOM) cost. The company says both designs meet the stringent voice quality requirements of leading cloud-based speech recognition software providers.
"As a leading supplier of ZigBee chips and software solutions for the IoT, Silicon Labs has helped thousands of wireless developers simplify and accelerate their RF designs," said Daniel Cooley, vice president of marketing for Silicon Labs IoT products. "We are excited about the growing trend of voice control in connected homes, and we have developed a comprehensive reference design solution that reduces the cost and complexity of creating voice-enabled ZigBee remotes for multiple connected home products . "
Two new Silicon Labs development kits are available for voice-enabled reference designs: 1 – EM34X-VREVK Voice Remote Evaluation Kit – This basic kit has pre-programmed equipment and a simple GUI to demonstrate remote, including RF, voice commands, and older versions Control function infrared support. 2 – EM34X-VRDK Voice Remote Development Kit – Provides an “out-of-the-box” design experience, this full-featured kit simplifies the development of remote controls and target devices, with EM34x voice-enabled remote control, USB stick, EM34x Development board, EM34x wireless module and ISA3 debug adapter.
At the heart of the reference design is Silicon Labs' EM34x wireless SoC, which handles all remote control functions. The EM34x SoC provides unparalleled performance, low power consumption and code density in a single-chip design based on the industry's best-selling ZigBee mesh network SoC architecture. The SoC combines a 2.4GHz IEEE 802.15.4 transceiver with an ARM Cortex-M3 processor, flash memory, RAM, and peripherals. The transceiver's high-efficiency architecture provides a link budget of 110 dB, eliminating the need for an external power amplifier (PA) or low noise amplifier (LNA) to provide a reliable link for ZRC applications. Integrated receive channel filtering and multi-level retries support coexistence with other 2.4GHz standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Silicon Labs' comprehensive wireless development tools provide the fastest path to ZRC-certified remote control products. The AppBuilder tool enables developers to configure remote control applications with a set of easy-to-use plug-ins that support key features such as keyboard drivers, LEDs, acceleration sensing, and voice control. Unlike traditional wireless sniffer, Silicon Labs also offers a desktop network analyzer, which provides full visibility into all wireless network activity by using the packet tracking port of the EM34x wireless SoC.
