Overview
Amazon Sidewalk
Amazon Sidewalk creates shared wireless networks connecting IoT devices at home and beyond the front door, across the entire neighborhood, and even the city. Silicon Labs can accelerate the development of Amazon Sidewalk devices by making it possible for manufacturers to focus more of their resources on innovation and less on testing and integration. We have in-depth expertise in the underlying wireless protocols utilized by Amazon Sidewalk including Bluetooth and sub-GHz protocols.
Amazon Sidewalk – Connecting Wireless IoT Devices at Homes and Beyond
In addition to extending connectivity beyond the front door, Amazon Sidewalk can be used by IoT applications to deliver end-users convenience while opening up new possibilities for device manufacturers. Here you can find information about our energy-efficient, high-performance wireless hardware and software, development tools, and learning resources for Amazon Sidewalk.
Get Started
How to Get Started with Amazon Sidewalk?
Amazon Sidewalk is not yet available to device makers, but you can apply now for Silicon Labs’ Early Engagement Partner Program to be among the early adopters launching Amazon Sidewalk products.
Benefits for Silicon Labs Early Engagement Partners
- Develop your device with the help of Silicon Labs and Amazon
- Get early access to development kits and tools at no cost
- Boost your visibility through marketing and media co-operation
- Get ready for the official Amazon Sidewalk launch before your competitors
What can you do with Amazon Sidewalk?
Amazon Sidewalk is a versatile multi-use IoT technology that can enable communication of many consumer applications at home, garden, neighborhood, and even beyond. As an example, it can enable wireless tracker devices to communicate to enable users to find valuables in the home, garage, garden, and pets in the neighborhood. The Community Finding feature allows neighbors to locate lost items by sharing the approximate location of the Amazon Sidewalk gateway.
Learn About Amazon Sidewalk
What is Amazon Sidewalk?
Amazon Sidewalk is a shared wireless network that uses Amazon Sidewalk Bridges, such as compatible Amazon Echo and Ring devices, to enable communication among devices communicating on the network. Amazon Sidewalk enables reliable, low-bandwidth, and long-range connectivity at home and beyond. It connects IoT devices and applications such as outdoor lights, motion sensors, and location-based devices. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy for short-distance communication and CSS and FSK radio protocols at 900 MHz frequencies to cover longer distances.
How Does Amazon Sidewalk Work?
Amazon Sidewalk is a low-bandwidth wireless network comprised of nearby gateway devices. Amazon Sidewalk gateway device owners can opt-in to share a small portion of their internet bandwidth to provide wireless connectivity services to compatible devices within the range of Amazon Sidewalk. Each participating gateway device expands the range of Amazon Sidewalk
Amazon Sidewalk Gateway Devices
Unlike many IoT technologies based on a single gateway, Amazon Sidewalk is based on a distributed network architecture of nearby gateway devices. Having more Amazon Sidewalk gateways in an area can increase the effectiveness of the network. When the infrastructure expands, the gateways form a distributed network, allowing devices to roam without having to worry about one specific gateway. Amazon Sidewalk gateways will pick up the message from the compatible device and route it through the AWS cloud to the user with multiple layers of security.
Amazon Sidewalk-Enabled Devices
Amazon Sidewalk-enabled devices such as location-based devices, sensors, security appliances, irrigation, and lighting devices can access the Amazon Sidewalk network through popular consumer Amazon Sidewalk gateway devices, including compatible Echo smart speakers and Ring cameras.”
Amazon Sidewalk Architecture
Amazon Sidewalk is built on an architecture comprising of a radio, network, and application layers.
Amazon Sidewalk Networking Use-Cases
The diagram to the right illustrates the three supported networking protocols and how they can interact to enable communication in the Amazon Sidewalk network.
Amazon Sidewalk Radio Layers
Amazon Sidewalk can use three different PHYs at the radio layer to address the different networking use-cases.
Bluetooth Low Energy – In Home and Connect Device-to-phone Connectivity
Bluetooth Low Energy radio PHY can be used for Amazon Sidewalk applications in the home with short-range connectivity for devices such as location-based devices and connect a device to a smartphone with Amazon Sidewalk coverage.
Sub-GHz GFSK – In Home and Beyond Front Door
GFSK radio PHY can cover up to one acre lot and can address applications that need to cover detached buildings and yards such as pool, spa, and water mitigation. GFSK can even support smart city and neighborhood applications with Amazon Sidewalk coverage.
Sub-GHz CSS – In Home and Beyond the Fence
The CSS (Chirp Spread Spectrum) radio PHY can reach several miles to support applications where devices are far from the nearest gateway - these can include smart neighborhoods, universities, and agriculture with Amazon Sidewalk coverage.