This computer has an area of only 4 square millimeters, smaller than an ant. Although its performance is inferior to any desktop computer, it can provide powerful computing capabilities for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
If we are to discuss how the IoT will penetrate every corner of daily life—from shoes to capsules to household appliances—then computers must also transform. They need to shrink in size to meet daily needs and better provide personalized services. Recently, a company in the United States showcased a super-microcomputer chip, the KL02, which measures only 4 square millimeters. Despite its small size, it contains all the necessary computing components. While its performance may not be strong, it is sufficient for IoT devices.
The KL02 super-microcomputer chip was developed by Freescale Semiconductor. On an area of less than 4 square millimeters (1.9mm x 2.0mm), it houses RAM, an ARM® Cortex?-M0+ 32-bit processor, and other essential components of a computer. The development of this chip was initiated by a customer request for a small, connectable, and affordable device that could be swallowed like a capsule, ultimately evolving into a computer chip capable of providing long-lasting performance for IoT applications. The KL02 chip is already in mass production, and Freescale is currently developing super-microprocessors with built-in sensors and communication devices, which can be paired with low-power Bluetooth or Wi-Fi components, expected to ship in the second half of the year.
Kaivan Karimi, Freescale’s Global Strategy Director, stated, “The IoT is ultimately about services. For example, a smart thermostat connected to the IoT can intelligently adjust the temperature based on the owner’s needs, but the technology supporting these services ultimately relies on processors and sensors.”
If connected sensors can be spread across the globe, then the accompanying devices must also be reduced in size, power consumption, and cost. The KL02 super-microcomputer chip developed by Freescale exemplifies that integrating various computing components into a single super-microprocessor is one of the best choices.
Consolidating different sensors and computer components can lead to various electronic noise, which can reduce the operational efficiency of other components. Karimi mentioned, “In the past, it was difficult for these devices to coexist perfectly when concentrated together, but we have solved this problem, allowing these components to be integrated into a chip smaller than 4 square millimeters without compromising their performance.” One of the tricky issues is the noise problem from flash memory chips. To address this, Freescale designed a “Faraday cage” specifically for flash memory to mitigate the noise issues it causes for other devices.
In addition to chip design, considerations for sensing, computing, IoT connectivity, data storage, and power supply must be thorough. Karimi noted that battery life is a significant concern, and Freescale is collaborating with other manufacturers to design small components that can generate power from heat, sound waves, or light to supply energy to these super-microchips.
It is worth noting that Freescale is not the first company to offer such chips, but it is the first to foresee their application in IoT devices. Thanks to the latest ARM chip standards introduced last year, more and more companies are developing such super-microchips, and it is believed that an increasing number of companies will join the ranks of those producing chips for IoT, significantly extending the connectivity lifespan of IoT devices.