ARM targets IoT by snapping up two wireless firms

Cordio offers a complete low-power radio solution for integration into chips

UK chip technology firm ARM has introduced a new portfolio that will focus on low-power wireless technologies for applications such as wearables and the Internet of Things (IoT), acquiring a pair of specialist firms to kick-start the initiative.

The ARM Cordio portfolio, available immediately, has effectively been formed from the technology gained by acquiring Sunrise Micro Devices (SMD) and Wicentric, and initially focuses on Bluetooth Low Energy (also known as Bluetooth Smart) products.

ARM said that the Cordio portfolio has been created to offer system-on-a-chip manufacturer partners a complete solution, comprising radio hardware, firmware, software stack and other deliverables, to help them bring to market low-power solutions for wearables and the IoT.

SMD is a provider of radio interface solutions including a pre-qualified, self-contained radio block and related firmware, while Wicentric develops a Bluetooth Smart software stack, including Bluetooth profiles for specific use cases.

Wicentric also provides sample applications built on a software framework that simplify development and porting.

Terms of the acquisitions have not been disclosed.

An ARM spokesperson told V3 that the Cordio name is a portmanteau of Cortex, the branding for ARM's processor designs, and 'radio'.

Cordio is initially based on Bluetooth Low Energy products, but this is just the beginning of the Cordio portfolio, ARM said, and there will be further announcements in this space later in the year.

ARM claimed that the Cordio BT radio series is the only fully integrated platform in the market. A key feature of the technology is that the radio hardware is designed for operation at levels below one volt to prolong the battery life of small devices, while the Cordio Profiles provide a production-ready solution for creating interoperable IoT products.

ARM launched its mbed platform for the IoT last year, and introduced a series of IoT Starter Kits in partnership with IBM this year.