Standardization enables an open ecosystem where devices made by different companies in different
verticals interoperate with one another. NXP co-founded the FiRa Consortium™ to ensure
interoperability across chipsets, devices and software from the beginning. Founded in August
2019, the organization today has more than 100 members, among them industry leaders across mobile,
industrial, IoT and auto markets such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Bosch, Cisco, Sony, HID, Hyundai
and many more. At NXP, we're convinced that harnessing the power of the collective industry in
developing and promoting UWB through the FiRa Consortium is the best path to developing the UWB
ecosystem quickly and in an interoperable manner.
The infrastructure for UWB-enabled IoT applications passed another important milestone, when the
FiRa Consortium announced the new Certification Program in October 2021 with the
NXP Trimension SR150 and SR040
chipset being the first to receive
Base certification for PHY/MAC conformance and interoperability.
Comprehensive Testing
A FiRa-certified device must pass all applicable MAC and PHY test cases to demonstrate it conforms
to the relevant specifications. The test and conformance procedures reflect the most up-to-date
parameters for UWB, including those specified in 802.15.4z, the IEEE addendum released in June of
2020.
FiRa certification means our UWB chipsets have been verified by an independent, authorized test
lab to conform to the latest version of the IEEE standard for UWB, 802.15.4z, as well as the
FiRa-defined mechanisms beyond the scope of the IEEE standards. The
Trimension SR150
and SR040
chipsets now carry the FiRa-certified logo, which reassures our customers that their UWB
development will go smoothly. They can take our chipset or module, add an antenna, and be certain
that their setup meets the latest IEEE and FiRa requirements.
Designed with FiRa in Mind
NXP is a founding member of the FiRa Consortium, and we’ve been developing our UWB solutions with
their requirements in mind. Our UWB development tools are based on the Trimension SR150 and SR040,
a dedicated portfolio of UWB IoT solutions that stand out for their ability to run UWB
autonomously with all firmware running on-chip. All PHY/MAC operation is handled within the UWB
IC. This makes it easier for devices that integrate our solutions to obtain base MAC/PHY
certification, but it also helps developers create more efficient products, since there’s no need
for real-time interaction from the host processor microcontroller. The high level of integration
yields a lower bill of material, but also makes the solution more accurate from a temperature
standpoint. To help developers save even more time, NXP supplies all the firmware and middleware
needed to develop an application that can run UWB autonomously.
The FiRa Consortium has posted a helpful video that explains the certification process in more
detail.
Committed to Interoperability and Collaboration
The FiRa Consortium uses a clearly defined structure to conduct business and spur innovation. A
number of working groups (WG) collaborate among participating members to address various needs
of the Consortium.
Several of NXP’s UWB experts will continue to support FiRa as chairs of various WGs for the
coming 2 years to actively support the development of UWB standards. Reinhard Meindl together
with Samsung’s Clint Chaplin is leading the Compliance and Certification Working Group,
dedicating his efforts into developing UWB test specifications, policies and processes relating
to product certification, while helping to oversee the activities ofauthorized test labs
(ATLs).
The Technical WG develops all UWB-related technical specifications and has recently formed task
groups to look into specific use cases of UWB. NXP’s Peter Pirc and CISCO’s Jerome Henry
co-chair activities of the newly formed localization task group.
Rias Al-kadi, along with Ardavan Tehrani from Facebook, co-chair FiRa’s Requirement WG to examine
new UWB use cases, propose new UWB scenarios and identify the functional requirements for each.
In addition, Rias Al-kadi will continue to lead the Management Steering Committee (MSC) and
contribute to facilitating inter-working group communication and coordination, in support of the
Board of Directors (BoD). NXP’s Charles Dachs continues to support FiRa as Board Vice-Chair.
An Important Step Forward
Being among the first to receive certification is, of course, gratifying, but in many ways
what’s really important about this milestone is that it takes us one step closer to having the
kind of widespread, interoperable ecosystem that UWB needs to really take off.
UWB has the potential to transform a very wide range of IoT use cases, from consumer and
automotive to industrial and infrastructure. For that to happen, though, we need to ensure
positive end-user experiences, with consistency and compatibility across UWB devices, wherever
they're deployed.
To learn more about secure ultra-wideband, please visit
here.
