Internet of Things: ARM Acquires Software Firm Sensinode

ARM boosts its Internet of Things strategy by buying Sensinode and accelerating open standards, and Broadcom hopes to be a catalyst for the wearables market with a wireless platform for embedded devices.

ARM Acquires Sensinode

ARM announced that it has acquired Sensinode Oy, a provider of software technology for the Internet of Things (IoT). The privately held Finland company has led the creation of the 6LoWPAN and CoAP standards for low cost low power devices, and has been a key contributor to the IETF, ZigBee IP, ETSI and OMA standardization efforts. The proliferation of  open standards that Sensinode has helped develop will be accelerated through the ARM mbed project. mbed is an industry collaboration to deliver fundamental open source hardware and software building blocks for rapid development of intelligent connected devices.

“ARM is dedicated to enabling a standards-based Internet of Things where billions of devices of all types and capabilities are connected through interoperable Internet Protocols and Web Services,” said John Cornish, executive vice president and general manager, System Design Division, ARM. “Sensinode is a pioneer in software for low cost low power internet connected devices and has been a key contributor to open standards for IoT. By making Sensinode expertise and technology accessible to the ARM Partnership and through the ARM mbed project we will enable rapid deployment of thousands of new and innovative IoT applications.”

Broadcom Expands Embedded Offerings to Wearable Market

Broadcom (BRCM) expanded its Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) portfolio with the introduction of WICED Direct. WICED is a platform that simplifies the implementation of Internet connectivity into an array of consumer devices. This platform will take advantage of the growing market of wearable products that communicate seamlessly to the cloud via smart mobile devices.

"The value of a wearable device lies in its ability to connect to a smartphone or the Internet with minimal impact on battery life," said Rahul Patel, Broadcom Vice President, Marketing, Wireless Connectivity Combos. "As the market gains momentum, Broadcom is actively widening business opportunities in this growing space by offering the breadth of IP and customized components that enable creative new smart wearable devices to be connected."

Broadcom's WICED portfolio provides the foundation for embedding low power, high performance, interoperable wireless connectivity into these devices. Wi-Fi Direct is a specification that allows two devices to communicate with each other securely via Wi-Fi without an access point or computer. Wireless connectivity technologies that enable these devices to connect to smartphones are key - such as Near Field Communications (NFC), Bluetooth Smart and Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct.

"OEMs creating wearable products require interoperable technology that will allow these new devices to connect with smartphones and tablets available today," said Joshua Flood, Senior Analyst, ABI Research. "Since Broadcom powers the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the majority of smartphones on the market today, the company's wireless SoCs are an ideal choice for OEMs developing consumer products that are designed to seamlessly communicate with other mobile devices on the market."