pairing CC2541 with HomeKit

Hi Jack,

It'll be tough to discuss HomeKit implementation openly on a forum since it's protected by license. TI has a license although that does not allow us to share specifics regarding "how to" do things. 

We are planning to have software support for HomeKit although I have no clear schedule at this point.

Best Regards

Joakim

Hi Joakim,

I had a license of MFi developer and I understand your concern.

I know that TI is one of partners in HomeKit and I believe that TI is working on BLE/WiFi chips to work with HomeKit. With many competitors out-there and we love CC2541, could TI let developers know roughly (not necessary to promise) when and how developers well prepare to get a new TI BLE stack 1.999v that will work with HomeKit.

   1. does CC2541 still work with the new BLE version? Yes/No

   2.  will the new BLE version that works with HomeKit come before New Year 2015? Yes/No

   3. could TI let MFi license developers have the new BLE beta version to work with before release?

   4. Any suggestion or advice that developers will prepare to quick making products when they get the new BLE version?

   Good work TI!

   Jack

You are correct that TI is a partner for HomeKit. Unfortunately we cannot comment publicly on our specific offering with regards to HomeKit. Please stay tuned for some announcements from TI. I would recommend that you subscribe to the TI wireless connectivity newsletter to stay up-to-date on our offerings:

http://www.ti.com/ww/en/analog/wireless_connectivity_enewsletter/archive.html

Is it possible to 'continue' that discussion within Apple's MFi forum section? 

Me too would really like to know the answer for CC2540/CC2541 capabilities within the context of the HomeKit. 

If somebody knows the related post(s) within Apple's MFi forum, can you mention it there? 

Thanks, 

Alex.

Is there a specific not public forum to talk about it? I'm MFi too...

Hi,

I suppose Apple would have one, right?

Best Regards

Joakim

Hi, 

The situation is the following:

1. The 'closed' Apple HomeKit forum -- part of MFi forum, within Apple forums section.

2. To get access to the Apple forums,  one have to be the Apple developer.  (   licence pe year fee involved )

3. I do not remember if I was able to see the MFi section of the forum before becoming the member of MFi program. 
    Probably not. The details  how to become the member of MFi program  are on the  https://developer.apple.com/homekit/
   If your company already the MFi member, then you probably have to talk to the 'account manager' within your company.

Alex.

Yes there is one, it's one of the developer forums, visible only to MFi licensees but I was looking for specific info about a firmware implementation on a TI hardware, I was under the impression that maybe TI had some "restricted access" info like the iBeacon firmware for CC2540/1 which is available from TI after you prove you're member of the iBeacon program

"..maybe TI had some "restricted access" info like the iBeacon firmware for CC2540/1 which is available from TI after you prove you're member of the iBeacon program..."

That would be great, indeed!  

But I'm under impression now - after collecting info  from different forums - that it is questionable if  HomeKit would be practical on 8-bit CPU(s).... Taking into account computational and energy budgets in need....

Also, I  failed to find any references to the real hardware, supporting HKit.  If you know one -- please, provide one. 

Have a great day,

Alex.

Alex Michael said:

Also, I  failed to find any references to the real hardware, supporting HKit.  If you know one -- please, provide one. 

Not BLE but TI has announced support for HomeKit for CC3200, totally different beast, much more powerful...

Thanks,

Matteo

Yes, it is more powerful, and it is a different 'transport' -- WiFi.

As I see it :

1. When we are talking about lamps, locks, thermostats -- and those are the first devices (profiles) people are mentioning -  then most of them has 'unlimited' power budgets,  assuming connection to main power.  
In such case, it is possible to connect the 'full linux machine', and get the computational power, memory, etc. 
The volume production would probably bring the cost to proper level. 

In my mind -  it is overkill... To put more powerful machine, where the micro can do the job and can serve the main device purpose... But again, I see  it as possibility.

2. But then, most of those devices - lamps, locks, thermostats, etc -- would logically assume some 'fobs devices'. Like remote, key entry, etc.  
Yes, we can say -- 'smart phone is such a device'. Meaning we have linux, android, or iOS platform to do the job.
But if  we would like to make such 'remote device' as a real small 'fob device' -- as BLE fob, based on CC2541(CC2540) -- then all questions about computational power, etc. -- are back.  That why I'm interested and curious to see  BLE hardware, which is 'HKit compatible'.

( Of course, there are plenty of other devices  - or applications, in context of our conversation -  which may still be really small  and power limited. Multiple sensors, as example...  ).

3. I send a question  within Apple forum,  asking if somebody knows  a proper BLE hardware. But no answers yet. 
Which make me wonder if everyone is working with simulators, or ( and) with 'big machines' at this time.

Thanks, 
Alex.

Alex, I agree with you. I have the need to do a fob device (possibly based on CC2541) that is HomeKit compatible... I'm curious if it's even feasible, otherwise i'd have to look elsewhere because I can't do wifi for this project.

I believe that there are some big companies such as Broadcom, CSR, Nordic are working with HomeKit on their BLE/WiFi chip. We are TI fans and hope that TI is not too late in this subject.

Is anyway that TI could let MFi developers have beta version of HomeKit stack on CC2451 or CC3200?

Jack

I think it would be interesting to see the near future development:

Broadcom & Nordic both have chips, where BLE is coupled with 32-bit ARM core processors... 
So, it may make some software porting a bit easier.  But, it my mind - I see at least 2 'side effects' :

1. I have the estimote iBeacon -- it based on Nordic chip ( 51822). And I 'm not impressed with battery performance.
So, my assumption is that a bigger ARM core is more power hungry. In general. ( Of course, optimisation, etc, may make a difference. But still....) 

2. In most applications -- mentioned most often for now  in BLE presentations - the CC2541 computational power is adequate. At least,   when we are talking about the 'primary' application mission -- like dimming the lights, measuring temperature,  different fobs, etc.
The need for more processor power derives from 'none-primary' application needs - different schema for authentication, etc, etc. In my mind, it means that adding more 'power' to the chip is basically decreasing overall 'system efficiency'.

I love TI CC2540/2541 chips for  their features match to application needs. And I would love to see what TI answer would be to the frames like HomeKit, within the BLE context.

Alex.

As far as BLE goes, TI does have plans to support HomeKit on an upcoming BLE device. Please stay tuned as we will have some exciting announcements related to BLE coming soon.

Cheers TI!

Hope it's a Christmas gift!

Jack