Silicon Labs has introduced a Bluetooth software solution that enables developers to efficiently create Apple HomeKit-enabled accessories. 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.
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.
Silicon Labs’ Bluetooth software for Apple HomeKit is available free of charge to Apple Made for iPod/iPhone/iPad (MFi) program licensees. To request Silicon Labs’ Apple HomeKit SDK, example applications and documentation, visit http://www.silabs.com/homekit. Silicon Labs’ Technical Support team will verify your MFi account and grant access.
To order Blue Gecko SoCs, modules and development kits, visit www.silabs.com/bluetooth. Silicon Labs’ mobile app for iOS devices is available free of charge from the Apple Store.
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