Silicon Labs Unveils Flexible Production, Secure Sub‑GHz SoCs and Long‑Term SDK Support for IoT

Silicon Labs has introduced a suite of new tools and components that empower IoT manufacturers with unprecedented flexibility, robust security, and simplified cross‑protocol development.

One of the most groundbreaking features is the ability to modify chip parameters—such as part number, security keys, certificates, and feature flags—directly at the factory level while production is underway. As CEO Matt Johnson explained in a recent interview, this “first‑of‑its‑kind” capability lets customers adapt to evolving security threats on the fly, eliminating costly after‑market changes.

During the company’s “Works With” event, Silicon Labs announced three major initiatives:

1. Sub‑gigahertz systems‑on‑chips (SoCs) that support the mioty, Wireless M‑Bus, Z‑Wave, and Amazon Sidewalk protocols. These chips deliver long‑range, low‑power connectivity—up to a mile—and meet Arm PSA Level 3 security certification.
2. The Unify Software Development Kit (SDK), designed to help designers build devices that can natively support multiple wireless protocols. Silicon Labs will provide SDK support services for up to ten years, a first in the industry.
3. A Security Services program that delivers Zero‑Trust architecture support, including the Custom Part Manufacturing Service (CPMS) for secure provisioning of the new SoCs and modules.

Silicon Labs’ FG23 and ZG23 SoCs are engineered for the most demanding IoT use cases. The FG23 targets Amazon Sidewalk, industrial IoT, smart city, and building automation, while the ZG23 extends Z‑Wave’s long‑range mesh with integrated Secure Vault capabilities, targeting smart homes, hotels, and multi‑dwellings. Both chips boast 13.2 mA TX at 10 dBm and 4.2 mA RX at 920 MHz, with RF performance of +20 dBm output and –125.3 dBm sensitivity at 868 MHz (2.4 kbps GFSK). These specifications enable coin‑cell powered nodes to operate for over a decade while maintaining a range exceeding one mile.

Silicon Labs is also positioning itself as a key enabler of Matter, the emerging standard—formerly Project CHIP—unifying Ethernet, Wi‑Fi, Thread, and Bluetooth Low‑Energy. The company’s Unify SDK will soon incorporate Matter support, allowing manufacturers to add Matter functionality to existing products through OTA updates, thereby preserving current investments and extending device lifecycles.

In addition to its hardware, Silicon Labs’ Security Services offer a comprehensive Zero‑Trust framework, CPMS for secure provisioning, and a 10‑year SDK support contract. This approach mitigates the need for frequent recertifications and ensures continuous alignment with evolving security requirements.

For more details, visit the Silicon Labs website or refer to the recent announcement released during the Works With event.

Silicon Labs’ shift toward flexible production and long‑term support reflects its commitment to helping customers navigate the rapidly changing IoT landscape.

>> This article was originally published on our sister site, EE Times.