Stamp-sized smart RF module is for automation applications

Hager Group and Silicon Labs have collaborated to create a smart home platform that enables seamless connectivity for applications using multiple wireless standards including Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), KNX and Sigfox.

The new Hager Smart RF module incorporates Silicon Labs’ EFR32 Wireless Gecko system-on-chip (SoC) device to enable versatile, energy-efficient multiprotocol and multiband connectivity at 2.4GHz, 868MHz and433 MHz.



The tiny, stamp-sized Smart RF module is ideal for home automation, ambient assisted living and commercial building automation applications requiring excellent RF performance, ultra-low power, multiprotocol wireless connectivity, easy application development, and interoperability with IoT applications and smartphones.

The flexible, feature-rich Wireless Gecko SoC enables the Hager module to continually adapt to changing automation needs and evolving software requirements through multiprotocol support and over-the-air updates.

“Multiprotocol connectivity is a critical enabling technology for home and building automation as end users increasingly require solutions that enable them to join and configure multiple wireless networks using smartphone apps and Bluetooth LE,” said François Lhomme, Chief Technical Officer, Hager Group. “Wireless Gecko SoCs provide a best-in-class multiprotocol solution for our Smart RF module, and Silicon Labs’ deep RF expertise, easy-to-use development tools and IoT engineering support are helping us drive innovation for electrical installations and services in residential and commercial buildings.”

The Hager Smart RF module integrates all necessary elements for home and building automation applications and services that need 2.4GHz Bluetooth LE connections, secure KNX RF communications in sub-GHz bands and Sigfox technology for low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) access.

The module incorporates a high-performance ARM Cortex-M4 CPU, 512kB flash (ample memory for software updates), a multiprotocol RF transceiver with -103.3 dBm sensitivity at 2.4GHz, built-in hardware cryptographic acceleration for AES 128/256, SHA-1/2 and ECC, and a wide range of low-power peripherals and interfaces.

The 20.285mm x 14mm x 2.1mm module fits space-constrained IoT end node designs, and its low energy consumption (1.4µA in deep sleep mode) makes it a good choice for power-sensitive systems requiring long battery life.