Infineon launches the world’s smallest eSIM solution for mobile consumer devices

Wearables, smartphones, tablets: In the consumer sector in particular, the demand for ever greater functionality, simplicity, and battery lifetime is increasing. Infineon Technologies contributes to these requirements with the introduction of the OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230. It is the world’s smallest GSMA-compliant and first 28 nm eSIM solution. OPTIGA Connect Consumer allows up to 50 percent less energy consumption compared to eSIMs on the market, extending the lifetime of the device’s battery without compromising on performance. It also contributes largely to more convenience since eSIMs can be managed remotely, making haptic SIM changes abundant thus saving time and resources and allowing for greater flexibility. Smartphone users can switch between different providers more easily, manufacturers can be more flexible in their design since physical access is not required. This can be a large advantage in IoT devices. Above all, OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is ideal for consumer devices such as smartphones, tablets, and notebooks, and even for small devices such as smartwatches and other wearables as well as 5G routers and POS payment terminals.

The OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230’s security architecture is based on Arm v8 and Infineon’s Integrity Guard 32 technology for increased performance and reduced power consumption. It enables a gain of 25 percent power/performance ratio compared to existing eSIMs on the market, thus extending the lifetime of the device’s battery. Remote SIM provisioning (RSP) and multiple enabled profiles (MEP) compliant with GSMA SGP.22 v3 enhance the end user experience. Users can download and store several mobile network operator profiles and remotely activate multiple profiles simultaneously.
With only 1.8 x 1.6 x 0.4 mm, the ultra-small chip-scale packaging reduces printed circuit board (PCB) space requirements by a factor of 37 relative to Nano SIMs and by a factor of 130 compared to standard SIMs. The OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is also available in X2QFN20 (3.0 x 3.0 x 0.3 mm) package. The eSIM solution features a large memory of 1 MB to accommodate multiple network operator profiles along with additional applications and user data.

OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is security evaluated according to BSI-CC-PP-0100-2018, specified in GSMA SGP.25 and is based on post-quantum-cryptography-(PQC) ready hardware.

The OPTIGA Connect Consumer OC1230 is available now.

https://www.infineon.com

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New NFC reader IC and modular kit from ST jumpstarts contactless designs

ST is making it easier to explore creative applications for contactless near-field communication (NFC) technology with a novel development kit featuring the new ST25R200 reader/writer IC. ST’s latest-generation ST25R200 NFC transceiver combines an advanced design for strong and clear wireless connections with low power consumption and controls for signal quality and power management.

The STEVAL-25R200SA kit for reader evaluation contains an ultra-compact ST25R200 board, ready for power-up, and multiple antennas that let users try single, dual, and flexible designs. The evaluation kit is complete with a 50-Ohm antenna interface and programmable tags.

This modular kit helps quickly build proof-of-concept models to demonstrate convenient short-range wireless communications for device pairing, configuring settings, or product authentication to ensure brand protection. The main board and antennas are NFC-certified and suitable for diverse industrial, consumer, and health technologies, such as medical devices, power tools, household appliances, game consoles, and personal care devices.

The ST25R200 NFC reader features ST’s noise suppression receiver (NSR), which ensures high immunity to interference even when close to a noise source such as an LCD panel contained in the same device. The receive circuitry also features an advanced analog front end (AFE), standard NFC-A/B (ISO 14443A/B) and NFC-V (ISO 15693) data framing.

Enhanced low-power card detection (LPCD), also built-in, eases wake-up to ensure a smooth and seamless user experience. The 1.2W transmitter has dynamic power output (DPO) control to regulate the field strength and overshoot/undershoot protection to ensure consistent signalling throughout data exchanges.

This reader operates over a wide power supply and peripheral I/O voltage range from 2.7V to 5.5V and from -40°C to 85°C. In addition, there are multiple operating modes to assist power management, cutting the device current to as little as 1µA to extend the runtime of battery-powered applications. In reset mode the IC draws just 0.1µA.

 

https://www.st.com

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Nexperia’s new step-down DC-DC converters with lowest quiescent current enhance design flexibility

Nexperia has introduced a new series of step-down DC-DC converters featuring devices with stand-by and operating efficiency that offer engineers flexibility for designing various fixed and portable battery-powered applications across consumer, industrial and automotive end-markets.

The NEX30606 is a high-efficiency, high-accuracy step-down converter that offers a choice of 16 resistor-settable output voltages from input voltages ranging from 1.8 V to 5.0 V. It can deliver up to 600 mA of output current and offers the industry’s lowest operating quiescent current (Iq) of 220 μA. This feature makes it ideal for wearable consumer applications like hearing aids, medical sensors, patches and monitors in addition to battery-powered industrial applications like smart meters, asset-tracking and industrial (IIOT) and narrow-band internet-of-things (NBIOT) devices. This device provides >90% switching efficiency for load currents ranging from 1 mA to 400 mA and has only 10 mV of output voltage ripple when stepping down from 3.6 V Vin to 1.8 Vout.

The NEX40400 step-down converter combines high efficiency (up to 8 % higher efficiency than close competition at low – mid load condition) with low operating quiescent current (60 μA typ.) and can provide up to 600 mA output from a wide 4.5 V to 40 V input range for applications. Featuring PFM (Pulse Frequency Modulation) for high efficiency at low to mid loads and Spread Spectrum Technology for minimising EMI, the converter is ideal for industrial distributed power systems and grid infrastructure (e.g. smart e-meters) as well as consumer white goods. Low shutdown supply current (0.3 μA) also makes this converter suitable for use in battery-powered home appliances. Nexperia also plans to release an AEC-Q100 qualified version of the NEX40400 later in 2025 for use in automotive applications such as body electronics and lighting, in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), as well as instrument clusters, cameras and displays.

Both the NEX30606 and NEX40400 offer traditional IC protection features such as Overcurrent Protection (OCP), short circuit protection, and thermal shutdown, ensuring reliability in demanding environments.

The NEX30606 is available in a space-saving WLCSP package measuring only 1.09 mm x 0.74 mm with a 0.35-mm pitch, which is almost 50% smaller than similar competing converters. The NEX40400 comes in a cost-effective 6-lead SOT8061-1 (TSOT23-6) plastic, surface-mounted package measuring 2.9 mm x 2.8 mm.

https://www.nexperia.com

 

 

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Infineon announces advanced MEMS-based ultrasound transducer

Infineon has made significant progress in developing the technology for capacitive micromechanical ultrasonic transducers (CMUT). The technology enables the company to manufacture the first integrated one-chip solution for MEMS-based ultrasonic transducer that offers a smaller footprint, improved performance, and higher functionality. Such integration makes the new device ideal for developing new ultrasonic applications and improving existing applications in consumer electronics, the automotive industry, and medical technology.

Unlike conventional piezoelectric bulk materials, which rely on the deformation of the material itself, CMUT transmit and detect ultrasonic waves via the deflection of a micro-machined, semiconductor diaphragm. This principle, along with their compact size, low-power consumption, and high performance, enable the devices to enhance various ultrasound applications. Compared to a discrete solution, Infineon’s monolithic integration of MEMS and ASIC reduces the noise floor by 20 times and improve the absolute signal by 1000 times compared to conventional piezoelectric ceramics of a similar size. Leveraging its expertise in semiconductor design and manufacturing, Infineon can apply its advanced technology across a wide range of industries, from consumer electronics to medical devices.

Infineon’s CMUT technology enables solid-state touch buttons under any solid material, such as glass and even metal, without deforming the surface. This allows a more durable and reliable alternative to conventional mechanical buttons to be implemented, reducing the risk of wear and tear, and increasing the overall lifespan of devices. Compared to capacitive touch buttons, which can be affected by environmental factors such as humidity and temperature, CMUT-based touch buttons offer full water compatibility as well as high EMC robustness. Since the technology reduces the size of the buttons, they can be integrated into various devices, from smartphones to industrial control panels. Examples include touch buttons below the metal frame of a mobile phone or replacing car door handles for a neat design.

Several home appliance devices can profit from Infineon’s CMUT as soon as they require liquid level sensing. CMUT offer several advantages, including continuous fill level measurement, low power consumption, and easy, non-invasive mounting below the bottom of the tank. The latter is important to measure, e.g., chemicals in washing machines or dish washers, where contact electrodes are at risk to corrode.

The CMUT technology can also be used to develop innovative medical devices that utilise ultrasound technology, such as wearable devices for vital signs monitoring, health tracking, and non-invasive medical diagnostics. Leveraging CMUT technology, the devices provide continuous monitoring and feedback rather than a single measurement, which can detect potential health issues earlier and improve patient outcome. With their compact size and low-power requirements, they are ideal for wearable and point-of-care applications.

https://www.infineon.com/

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