The HomeKit support on T4-A-Q-4020 is a watershed moment, and Tantiv4 has reduced the gap between smart homes and system on chips (SoCs). It means that OEMs can take advantage of the Apple HomeKit compatibility in their IoT-based products. They can facilitate their target audience to use Apple services like Siri on iPad, iPhone Apple Watch, HomePod, and Apple Home to manage their IoT devices. In layman terms, this means that Apple users can use iOS devices to control IoT devices like mini-switches, thermostats, washing machines, and light bulbs. This paradigm came into existence with the development of QC AA4020.
Homekit support on QCA 4020 is only available and supported by Tantiv4.
The QCA4020
The QCA4020 chipset served as the foundation of the T4-A-Q-4020 Product Development Kit. The purpose of the kit is to facilitate device manufacturers along with the developers of their ecosystems to develop cutting-edge IoT solutions and products for the Apple smart kit. These products offer support for multiple cloud and device ecosystems.
The kit is especially geared; towards designing IoT solutions that are powered with Home Kit applications like home control, toys, automation, smart cities, home entertainment, networking, and appliances.
Technically, the T4-A-Q-4020 serves as an intermediary—the glue that connects a wide array of IoT devices that are powered by the most popular protocols, communication networks, and wireless standards. It helps these devices to establish a link with different cloud and application services.
The T4-A-Q-4020 is classified as an intelligent connectivity solution that comes up with three modes: Bluetooth 5, Low power Wi-Fi, and 802.15.4. By using a solitary SoC, it can establish a connection with numerous wireless communication technologies.
Moreover, it also solves the fragmentation dilemma and offers quite a practical approach to tackle it in multiple technology domains. ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and other 802.15.4 based technologies while the hardware is protected with advanced security functionalities. As a result, unlike other IoT devices that are quickly becoming a victim of the latest cyber attacks like botnets, man-in-the-middle-attack, and ransomware, this SoC has genuinely changed the game in terms of device security.
The board of the SoC comes up with eight actuators and sensors. These include PIR sensor, pressure, humidity, temperature, 3D magnetic field, 3D gyroscope, 3D accelerometer, and ambient light luminosity. For example, the PIR sensor helps to detect any movement and can help in home security based solutions. Similarly, it can take advantage of the ambient light luminosity sensor to manage and control the lighting fixtures of a smart home. On a similar, the humidity sensor can allow an IoT based home system to adjust the thermostat, humidifier, or dehumidifier of a room accordingly.
For complete specifications of the QCA4020, visit this link.
The SoC also offers support for JTAG-based software development and debugging. JTAG is a popular hardware interface through which users can use their PCs to engage in direct communication with the SoC’s chips.