Amazon Sidewalk is a groundbreaking shared network designed to enhance the connectivity and functionality of compatible devices. By leveraging Sidewalk relays (Bridges), such as Echo and Ring devices, it extends the coverage of low-bandwidth networks, ensuring that devices remain connected to the cloud even beyond the confines of the home perimeter.
This innovative and standardized technology opens the door to a host of new experiences, including seamless item location and enhanced control over smart home services.
Amazon Sidewalk is built with robust privacy and security measures to safeguard customer data, providing peace of mind while users enjoy the benefits of a more connected environment.
Applications
- In an Amazon Sidewalk network, connected devices play crucial roles in ensuring seamless connectivity and expanded functionalities. Here are the key roles of connected devices within the Amazon Sidewalk network:
- Sidewalk Bridge devices (relays): These devices, like the Echo and Ring devices, connect Sidewalk-enabled devices to the Sidewalk network and to the internet.
They extend the network's coverage, enabling compatible devices to remain connected even when outside the range of traditional home Wi-Fi networks. - Sidewalk-enabled devices: These end-user devices connect to the Sidewalk network using the network created by the Sidewalk Bridges. A variety of applications apply to these Sidewalk-enabled devices like smart lights, pet trackers, and sensors. This connectivity enhancement significantly augments the overall functionality of these devices.
- Contributing to the network: When within range of a Sidewalk Bridge device, connected devices contribute a fraction of their internet bandwidth to the Sidewalk network. This collective contribution fosters a shared network, ensuring continuous connectivity and vital updates for all connected devices, even in the absence of traditional Wi-Fi networks.
- Key features of Amazon Sidewalk:
- Low bandwidth: small amounts of data are transmitted, allowing for an extended battery lifetime for end devices that are usually battery-powered.
- Extended range: thanks to wireless technology and network capability, devices stay connected over longer distances than what local Wi-Fi allows.
- Security: encryption is used to protect data shared across the network.
- Technologies used to build Amazon Sidewalk:
- Bluetooth® Low Energy is used for short-range communication between devices with a low power consumption profile and for easy initial device setup.
- Long-range LoRa is used for long-distance communication between devices, extending the reach of connected devices.
- FSK is used for data transmission between devices and to the Bridges.
- Sidewalk-enabled devices can be built based on:
- Bluetooth® Low Energy only
- Bluetooth® Low Energy+ long-range (FSK)
- Bluetooth® Low Energy + long-range (FSK & LoRa)
Understanding these roles and required technologies is pivotal when selecting microcontrollers with embedded wireless features, as it underscores the importance of seamless connectivity and network contribution within the Amazon Sidewalk ecosystem.
Product types
The STM32WBA5 and STM32WL5 wireless MCU series are suitable for and fully support any kind of Amazon Sidewalk device type.
The STM32WBA is based on an Arm® Cortex® M33 running at 100 MHz with TrustZone® technology; it supports Bluetooth® Low Energy 5.4 with security assets required to ensure Amazon Sidewalk security criteria.
The STM32WL5 is fully compatible with Amazon Sidewalk supporting the LoRa and FSK modulations. It is based on a dual core, Arm® Cortex® M4 & M0+ running at 48 MHz.
The STM32WBA5 combined with the STM32WL5 solution is an Amazon Sidewalk-qualified solution.
The STM32WBA55 and STM32WL MCUs are available on the NUCLEO-WBA55CG and NUCLEO-WL55JC1.
Development tools for Amazon sidewalk products
Nucleo board
Nucleo board
Other Sidewalk benefits
Amazon Sidewalk is designed to provide a secure, easy-to-use, and efficient way to extend the connectivity and utility of smart devices. As with any technology, users should consider their own needs and privacy preferences when deciding to participate in the network.
- Improved reliability:
- Redundancy: devices can switch to a neighbor's Sidewalk Bridge if their own connection goes down, ensuring continued functionality.
- Stability: Sidewalk aims to provide more consistent connections for devices that might otherwise have weak or no connectivity.
- Simplified setup and use:
- Ease of setup: devices can automatically connect to Sidewalk with little to no setup effort required from the user.
- User-friendly: the network is designed to be seamless for users, with Amazon taking care of the network's complexity.
- Community support:
- Neighborhood network: creates a community of devices that can help locate pets or valuables with compatible tracking devices.
- Collective benefits: as more people participate, the network becomes stronger, offering greater support for sidewalk-enabled devices.
- Device compatibility:
- Broad ecosystem: Sidewalk is compatible with a range of devices, including lights, sensors, and trackers, allowing for a diverse and interoperable smart device ecosystem.
- Cost-efficiency:
- No additional fees: Amazon Sidewalk uses a small portion of your home's Wi-Fi bandwidth at no extra cost.
- Resource sharing: By pooling together small slices of internet bandwidth, Sidewalk can operate efficiently without requiring separate data plans for each device.
- Innovation and development:
- Developer support: Amazon encourages developers to create new applications and devices that can leverage the Sidewalk network.
- Future possibilities: the network has the potential to support a wide array of future IoT devices and services.
- Always upgradable fleet:
- Automatic Updates: Devices receive firmware updates automatically for continuous improvements in functionality and security.
