Company: Microchip Technology
Category: Embedded Solution Product of the Year
With growing use of the Internet of Things (IoT) in home, building and industrial automation, there is an increasing need for highly integrated, reliable and secured Industrial IoT (IIoT) connectivity.
Due to increasing attacks, traditional software data encryption is no longer sufficient to protect transmitted data. Embedded devices need a hardcoded, verifiable, trustable identity to securely connect to the cloud.
Microchip Technology has met this demand with the first-ever Wi-Fi microcontroller (MCU) module with Microchip’s Trust&GO-enabled unique, verifiable identity.
The Microchip WFI32E01PC is a Trust&GO secured platform-enabled Wi-Fi MCU module that is pre-provisioned for cloud platforms. Microchip’s Trust&GO platform inside the WFI32E01PC streamlines the process of network authentication using secure element technology, which is preconfigured and pre-provisioned for cloud authentication.
Unlike existing devices, Microchip’s new technology includes a premium PIC32 MCU core, rich peripherals and a proven hardware security platform – enabling it not only to provide Wi-Fi but also to serve as a powerful MCU core for the entire IIoT system.
The WFI32E01PC is compliant to Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) specification and fully certified with the following world regulatory agencies: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC) and European Radio Equipment Directive (RED).
Unlike module-based designs, discrete designs can be difficult due to the need to develop drivers and circuits for multiple chips, particularly when the chips are from different vendors. Often it is difficult to receive system-level support from vendors as their expertise is only in products they produce. Embedded designers need a highly integrated module solution providing industrial-grade MCU functionality, robust Wi-Fi connection and hardware security and authentication.
The WFI32E01PC provides these capabilities and more in an all-in-one module, improving Radio Frequency (RF) power and providing a higher level of security.
In addition to industrial applications, the WFI32E01PC is designed for home automation devices, computing and consumer devices.