The Computex 2017 trade show is in complete swing in Taipei and leading chipmaker Qualcomm is today joining other tech bigwigs or its competitors to unveil its Mesh Networking Platform instead of any new mobile system-on-chips (SoCs) — already shown off its flagship Snapdragon 835 processor at CES earlier this year.
The Mesh Networking platform has been developed using Qualcomm’s IPQ40x8/9 network system-on-chip (used in almost every mesh router) and is aimed at offering even sophisticated but efficient ‘connected home experiences’. The devices based on the said platform will not only enable you to connect your smartphones or computers but also provide constant connectivity to smart home devices as well.
Talking about the platform, Gopi Sirineni, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, said:
Qualcomm Technologies helped create a new category of mesh networks that are transforming in-home connectivity. With our new Qualcomm Mesh Networking Platform, we are building upon that foundation to accelerate the next generation of mesh systems to further enhance connected services in the home.
This new mesh platform from Qualcomm also bring along a range of mesh system features essential for carrier-grade networks. It means broadband carriers have the option to enhance their services with the use of Wi-Fi SON (Self-Organizing) feature suite. The chipmaker is even providing you with tools and APIs to port your network from SON to other silicon platforms.
Qualcomm also provides OEMs with integrated voice capabilities (can be activated using built-in microphone array and speaker, voice recognition software) and backhaul flexibility. This means you can maximize your output on any mesh network technology, even if it’s operating on 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ax, or Powerline.
Further, Sirineni continues to mention:
New capabilities like voice assistance and IoT radio integration will not only transform consumer experiences at home but along with carrier-grade feature enhancements, make it easier for our customers to adopt and deploy mesh systems aligned to how people want their networks to perform.
An IoT connectivity feature suite ensures the compatibility, as well as simultaneous use of Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, CSRmesh connectivity, and 802.15.4-based technologies across a network. It means you can seamlessly connect a diverse range of connected home devices such as Nest thermostat, security camera, and Google Home, to the mesh network without any hassles.
In addition, the chipmaker has also unveiled a reference design to provide its hardware partners with direct access to technologies for rapid development of next-gen IoT and networking products. This blueprint opens up new avenues of partnerships for the chip maker with OEMs, cloud service providers, and the IoT ecosystem. It is even aimed at centralizing the connectivity and mechanics of the network.
