SoC speeds the switch from IR to RF remotes

Complexity, cost and interoperability have been the main inhibitors for the move from IR to RF in AV control that can now be overcome with Z-WaveAV.

New from Zensys, the Z-WaveAV is the first RF single-chip portfolio for IR replacement in AV control.

"Conventional IR technology is a quarter of a century old and does not meet the demands of today's advanced consumer electronics market", says Tony Shakib, CEO of Zensys.

"The fact that consumers want to conceal AV components in cabinets, get status and meta data displayed on the remote control, and control devices throughout the entire house clearly reveals the limitations of IR".

"Z-WaveAV brings CE manufacturers a growth path and superior alternative from IR technology to create ultra low cost RF remotes and RF support in AV devices to replace and augment IR for AV control".

Complexity, cost and interoperability have been the main inhibitors for the move from IR to RF in AV control that can now be overcome with Z-WaveAV.

Zero Effort Setup makes Z-WaveAV as easy to setup and use like bundled IR remote controls today, which is key for consumer mass market adoption.

Z-WaveAV provides the lowest cost RF system-on-chip (SoC) for high volume AV remotes and AV devices and minimises the cost difference to today's line-of-sight limited, one-way IR solutions.

Z-WaveAV provides full interoperability between multiple types of AV devices and between multiple manufacturers - while still leaving OEMs flexibility to innovate and differentiate.

Z-WaveAV provides full support of single and multiple-device control and also enables direct device-to-device communication in AV applications for advanced features.

It defines literally hundreds of device commands, but doesn't stop with standardisation at this level.

Z-WaveAV also incorporates proven specifications for status display and meta data displays from Z-Wave that are implemented in more remote controls today than any other RF technology.

Designed for IR replacement in all levels of AV products, Z-WaveAV offers CE manufacturers a rich set of features that eliminate the need for additional chips in designs.

Z-WaveAV single chips are fast and easy to integrate into advanced AV products.

The large 64Kbyte (ZW0401) or 8Kbyte (ZW0402av/ZW0403av) OTP memory reduces or even eliminates effort and risk to minimise code sise to fit into chip.

The on-chip IR code generator enables control of legacy OEMs products.

And the option to operate in both 2.4GHz and sub1GHz bands offers a superior solution for robustness against RF interference.

"We remain bullish on the growth of the wireless home control market and view the added support for AV control as an excellent way to build consumer awareness for the capabilities of Z-Wave-enabled systems and solidify its strong position in the industry", says Bill Ablondi, Director, Home Systems at Parks Associates.

Thanks to its heritage to Z-Wave - the most widely adopted home control technology with over 200 available products today - and its mesh network technology, Z-WaveAV doesn't stop in a single room, but is uniquely positioned to provide AV control across the entire home.

Furthermore, it is the only RF technology offered for AV control that can interoperate to an ecosystem of hundreds of interoperable home control devices available today.

Z-Wave provides a seamless path towards Unified Home Control and opens highly profitable opportunities for accessory sales, plus up- and cross-selling to OEMs and the channel alike.

Z-WaveAV single chips and modules are available in three main variants.

The ZM4101 incorporates the ZW0401 single chip plus all required RF coupling and passive components, making it with its 8 x 8mm size and a QFN56 form factor the smallest RF SoC module in the industry.

The ZW0402av single chip is ideally suited for ultra low cost RF remotes, yet still provides IR support of OEM's legacy AV devices.

The ZW0403av is the industry's smallest RF system-on-chip (2.5 x 2.5mm), designed for use as RF interface in AV devices or as an RF modem in high-end remotes with large graphical displays.

Back to top