Software solution enables Apple HomeKit-enabled accessories

A Bluetooth software solution that enables developers to efficiently create Apple HomeKit-enabled accessories has been introduced by Silicon Labs. Silicon Labs’ Bluetooth solution with HomeKit support is pre-tested by Apple. This gives developers time-to-market benefits, eases engineering effort and helps end-product vendors minimize risks when getting their HomeKit-enabled accessories to market. Available as a library with clean, easy-to-use APIs, the Bluetooth 4.2-compliant software is pre-tested and certified by Apple to provide accessory developers with a low-risk solution that accelerates time-to-market.

Silicon Labs supports Apple HomeKit development projects with a large portfolio of Wireless Gecko SoCs and modules, easy-to-use Simplicity Studio development tools, plugins for Bluetooth Developer Studio, example accessory applications and source code, an iOS app with source code, extensive documentation and technical support.

Developing accessories based on the Apple HomeKit protocol and security technology can require multiple interoperability tests. Silicon Labs’ Bluetooth solution for Apple HomeKit is pre-tested and certified by Apple and has passed certification tests for the HomeKit specification.

This pre-certification gives developers time-to-market benefits, eases engineering effort and helps end-product vendors minimize risks when getting their devices certified by Apple.

“Silicon Labs can help smart home accessory developers accelerate time to market and successfully integrate their products with HomeKit,” said Riku Mettälä, Vice President of Marketing for IoT products at Silicon Labs. “We’ve invested significant time and engineering effort to ensure that our Bluetooth software complies with Apple HomeKit specifications. Developers who use our pre-tested solution will be many steps ahead along the path for iOS customers to use Siri voice control and the Home app to control their smart home products.”

In addition to implementing the capabilities required to develop Apple HomeKit accessories, Silicon Labs’ Bluetooth 4.2-compliant protocol stack supports key features such as LE secure connections for secure Bluetooth pairing, LE packet extensions for higher throughput, and LE dual topology for flexible network configurations and Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware updates.

Silicon Labs provides comprehensive software tools to simplify Apple HomeKit development. Simplicity Studio streamlines IoT design with one-click access to an Eclipse-based IDE, energy profiling, configuration and network analysis tools, demos, software examples, documentation, tech support and community forums. Silicon Labs’ BGScript language simplifies Bluetooth development with an easy-to-use BASIC-like syntax. Simplicity Studio also supports third-party tools such as the Bluetooth SIG’s Bluetooth Developer Studio, which enables developers to auto-generate code for Apple HomeKit accessories and get up and running in less than an hour.

The core of Silicon Labs’ hardware offering for Apple HomeKit development is the Wireless Gecko SoC portfolio including Blue Gecko SoCs for Bluetooth applications. Silicon Labs also offers several Bluetooth module families including the new ultra-small BGM12x system-in-package (SiP) module. Featuring integrated antennas and regulatory certifications, wireless modules are ideal for developers who want to reduce engineering costs and speed time to market. Silicon Labs also supports designers with easy-to-use development kits, including the new Thunderboard Sense sensor-to-cloud kit.