IoT Wireless Connectivity Development Platform

Cypress Semiconductor Corp. and Arrow Electronics, Inc. today announced a new development platform that enables engineers to quickly bring a broad range of connected IoT products to market. The new Quicksilver kit features Cypress' Wireless Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED®) platform and incorporates the robust connectivity of the Cypress CYW43907 802.11n Wi-Fi® microcontroller (MCU). The kit is slated for release in July 2017, and a second Quicksilver kit will deliver high-performance 802.11ac Wi-Fi enabling high-data-rate and media-rich experiences in the IoT in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Development customers are seeking to connect their products to the cloud for the first time to enable compelling IoT features, and they are also looking for fast time to market. The WICED-based Quicksilver kit provides them with the flexibility to build quickly now and streamline design enhancements later. Customers can quickly get to market with a certified module that provides turnkey cloud connectivity software and then migrate to cost or performance-driven production solutions while maintaining hardware and software compatibility.

The first Quicksilver kit will provide users with complete design capabilities to implement the WICED Studio SDK and features Arduino-compatible headers for expansion capability. The kit includes temperature, humidity and three-axis motion sensors to design a complete IoT edge device for a broad range of end markets, including factory automation, lighting, smart irrigation, home appliances and home automation.

“The strength of Cypress’ IoT portfolio is its combination of low-power wireless and MCU technology that fuels ubiquitous device access and control. Together, Arrow and Cypress will help customers solve power, range and reliability problems in IoT applications,” said Aiden Mitchell, vice president of IoT global solutions at Arrow. “Quicksilver allows our customers access to a great development experience.”

“Developers are looking for an easy way to add robust Wi-Fi connectivity to their products. The Quicksilver development platform backed by Arrow’s support provides them with a straightforward path,” said Andrew Hunter, senior director of marketing for the IoT business unit at Cypress. “Quicksilver brings Cypress’ world-class Wi-Fi connectivity and the power of our all-inclusive WICED Studio SDK to a wide range of customers. We will expand the platform to include 802.11ac high-performance Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, addressing the trend toward integrating both with robust connectivity and multi-protocol coexistence.”