Kwikset Chooses Silicon Labs' Ultra-Low-Power Wi-Fi SoC for its New Halo Select Door Lock

The growing demand for smart home devices reflects today’s expectations for connected, convenient, and secure living. Consumers often turn to smart locks as one of the first steps in home automation. However, frequent battery replacements can reduce user satisfaction. Silicon Labs ultra-low-power Wi-Fi, is specifically engineered to address this, extending battery life while providing stable, hub-free connectivity. This gives users more time between maintenance and peace of mind, knowing they can monitor and control access remotely.

Furthermore, as technology evolves with new features and standards, nobody wants to replace their door locks every time they need to add a feature. This was the catalyst for the Kwikset Halo Select smart lock, which allows customers to choose the wireless protocol that best meets their specific needs and easily change protocols if their requirements change in the future. Halo Select integrates with today's popular smart home platforms and devices. Users can start with Wi-Fi, connecting directly to the cloud without a hub for simplicity, and switch to Matter over Thread as their needs evolve. Our Wi-Fi chips (SoCs) and Wi-Fi Modules have excellent RF performance, low power consumption and easy application development. Our Wi-Fi ICs are made for IoT.

The Challenge

To create a sleek and versatile smart door lock that seamlessly integrates ultra-low-power Wi-Fi (no hub required) with Matter over Thread compatibility, enabling consumers to easily connect and control their locks across today’s most popular smart home platforms. For Kwikset, a critical goal was providing choice in connectivity and extending battery life to enhance user satisfaction.

The Solution

Silicon Labs’ ultra-low-power Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth support made it possible for Kwikset to deliver a smart lock with exceptional battery life and range, meeting consumer demand for DIY-friendly and long-lasting connected smart locks. This power-optimized SoC made it easy for Kwikset to incorporate versatile connectivity options without compromising on security or energy efficiency.

The Result

By launching the Halo Select, Kwikset now offers a secure, hub-free smart door lock that gives users full control and remote access via ultra-low-power Wi-Fi. Powered by Silicon Labs Wi-Fi solution, this lock delivers the best of both worlds: extended battery life and multiprotocol connectivity, offering flexibility to switch seamlessly between Wi-Fi and Matter over Thread as needed.

Why Kwikset Chose Silicon Labs for Wi-Fi Door Locks

Optimized Connectivity Across Protocols:

Silicon Labs' Wi-Fi solutions offer smart lock manufacturers robust wireless options, including 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz) Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth 5. With advanced coexistence features, Kwikset can support Matter over Thread alongside the Wi-Fi SoC, enabling effortless integration with modern smart home ecosystems or hubless, direct to cloud connectivity. This ensures users enjoy reliable and instant access control.

Extended Battery Life with Ultra-Low-Power Wi-Fi:

Designed with ultra-low-power functionality, the Wi-Fi SoC operates with <1 μA deep sleep current, reducing battery drain and extending the time between battery replacements. This is a key feature for door locks, where long battery life is essential for uninterrupted access control.

Enhanced Security for Peace of Mind:

Integrated security protocols like WPA/WPA2, SSL 3.0, and TLS1.2, ensure each smart lock is equipped with secure encryption. This safeguards users’ homes while offering a secure, energy-efficient connection to their smart home network.

Compact Design for Space-Constrained Applications:

Small form factor and efficient layout make for slim smart lock designs, fitting seamlessly into compact enclosures without sacrificing performance.

High Data Throughput for Smooth Operation:

With data throughput up to 50 Mbps, Silicon Lab’s Wi-Fi solution enables rapid response and data handling, supporting real-time transfer of data like lock status sensors, alarms, and user notifications.

Why Wi-Fi Remains Essential for Smart Locks

Wi-Fi’s familiarity and widespread use make it a top choice for homeowners and device manufacturers alike. Today’s advancements in ultra-low-power Wi-Fi make it more practical for battery-operated devices, such as smart locks, where prolonged battery life is critical. By integrating Silicon Labs Wi-Fi, the Kwikset Halo Select allows users to easily control and monitor lock access from anywhere—no hub needed, just a Wi-Fi connection.

For device makers like Kwikset, robust internet connectivity and good user experience are among the top design considerations for introducing new products. Since Wi-Fi is already so widely available, it is an excellent choice for low-power devices. This was the case with the Halo Select, which makes it possible for users to control access from anywhere.

With a touchscreen, door status sensors, and notification system, the Halo Select has been designed with user experience top of mind. Coupled with the range, RF performance, and power optimization of Silicon Labs Wi-Fi SoC, this is a natural fit for bringing simplicity and flexibility to smart locks.

Silicon Labs' Wi-Fi SoCs provide full multiprotocol functionality along with ultra-low-power operation, including Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth 5. Kwikset developers can also take advantage of its long-range and power-optimized performance. The long battery life is particularly useful with smart door locks because it means users can go extended periods between changing the batteries.

Silicon Labs' Wi-Fi SoCs and comprehensive multiprotocol wireless portfolio offer end-to-end wireless solutions for IoT developers. Designed for energy efficiency and wireless coexistence, Silicon Labs' products support a wide range of wireless protocols, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and Thread, to meet the evolving standards of the IoT landscape. This extensive protocol support simplifies product development, reduces power consumption, and enables scalable designs that cater to diverse consumer needs.

Choosing Silicon Labs for wireless smart devices provides several advantages:

Energy Efficiency: Silicon Labs' solutions are optimized for low-power operation, extending battery life for IoT devices.
Fast Time-to-Market: With integrated wireless stacks, comprehensive development tools, and off-the-shelf pre-certified wireless modules, developers can accelerate their time-to-market by up to nine months.
Versatility: The broad protocol support allows for flexible and future-proof designs, ensuring compatibility with various smart home platforms and ecosystems.
Security: The most advanced security features built into the products, safeguarding data, and ensuring secure communication.
Scalability: Silicon Labs' solutions are designed to scale, making it easier for developers to expand their product lines and meet growing market demands.

By leveraging Silicon Labs' wireless portfolio, device makers can create innovative, energy-efficient, and secure smart devices that meet the needs of today's consumers.

About Kwikset

Kwikset is the leading residential lock manufacturer, making homeowners feel safe since 1946. Kwikset works hard to understand the world you live in, so that we can do everything we can to protect it. The company’s unwavering commitment to meeting homeowners’ needs has inspired its innovative lock portfolio that includes patented SmartKey Security™ deadbolts, patented SecureScreen™ touchscreen locks, keyless entry combination locks, connected home technology, Bluetooth-enabled Aura™, Wi-Fi enabled Halo™, door hardware with Microban® antimicrobial product protection and a wide variety of styles and finishes.

Our interior and exterior door products provide customers with the quality, technology, durability and style they want while guaranteeing the highest level of security. Headquartered in Orange County, Calif., Kwikset is part of ASSA ABLOY Americas Residential, the global leader in access solutions. Kwikset products are sold online and through retailers and distributors throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australia. Visit us at www.kwikset.com and https://kwiksetpresskit.com.