Energizing Smart Things

Alexa, Build a Better SoC

IoT, internet of things, refers to a network of devices embedded with sensors and software that connects and exchanges data with other devices and systems.

Consumer IoT devices include, for example, smart homes, security systems, connected appliances, and wearable health monitors. Commercial IoT devices are used in many enterprises such as smart factory equipment, precision farming, and shipping container logistics tracking. IoT sensors are widely used to monitor utilities, water quality, air quality, and weather.

IoT devices generally have limited processing, storage, and memory resources and typically run on battery power. Many IoT devices need to operate for several years without requiring battery replacement. Increasingly battery-powered devices are being replaced in favor of designs that use renewable energy harvested from kinetic, thermal, chemical, electromagnetic, and solar sources. Ultra power-efficient performance is essential for all of these applications.

In designing SoCs for IoT devices, the ability to create ultra low power performance relies on having a highly optimized clocking network customized for the application. Maestro clocking solutions automatically adjust for silicon manufacturing variances and can enhance system performance. They support lower voltages and smaller area for longer battery life. Because Maestro adjusts for manufacturing variance, it can improve yield and lower cost in volume production applications.