Imagination Technologies announced the first members of its Ensigma Whisper flexible connectivity IP family, designed specifically to enable the integration of ultra-low power communications in SoCs targeting wearables, IoT and other connected devices. With the new Ensigma Whisper radio processing units (RPUs), customers can choose to integrate Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth Smart, or a combination of the two standards, depending on their specific application.

The new Whisper RPUs are based on the ultra-low power Ensigma Whisper Series architecture and complement the Ensigma Explorer RPU family, which is focused on enabling high-performance on-chip communications.

The Whisper IP cores are configurable engines that are purpose-built for integration onto next-generation SoCs targeting IoT and other applications including smartwatches, home automation, healthcare, automotive, industrial and beyond.

Ensigma Whisper RPUs are provided as a complete communications solution including certifications. In addition, a range of customizable RF and analog front-ends are available from Imagination and partners. Imagination is initially offering the Whisper RPUs in three versions:

C5400: Wi-Fi 802.11n IP for low-power devices capable of audio/video streaming; enables customers to achieve Wi-Fi connectivity at the power levels of Bluetooth Classic while delivering better performance per MHz

C5300: Bluetooth Smart IP for ultra-low power, short range connectivity providing control functionality in devices including sensor hubs, wearables and home automation

C5401: For applications such as wearables, this IP combines Bluetooth Smart for control applications and Wi-Fi 802.11n for streaming; capable of operating concurrently

Ensigma Whisper RPUs feature optimized, configurable hardware along with Imagination’s PowerGearing for Ensigma that optimizes both static and dynamic power consumption in the cores.

Integrated, optimized Ensigma RPUs and MIPS CPUs are at the heart of Imagination’s Connected Processor IP Platform, an embedded processor IP platform that delivers multi-standard connectivity, alongside a high-performance Linux or RTOS based applications environment.