Silicon Labs' BG22L and BG24L "Lite" SoCs: Revolutionizing Ultra-Low Power Bluetooth Connectivity

Silicon Labs (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology, has introduced the BG22L and BG24L "Lite" SoCs for Bluetooth® LE connectivity. These new application-optimized devices bring robust security, processing power, and connectivity to high-volume, cost-sensitive, and low-power applications. The BG22L and BG24L SoCs are designed to meet the evolving demands of the IoT market, offering an optimized set of industry-leading Bluetooth features with Silicon Labs' signature IoT capabilities.

The BG24L SoC stands out with its advanced AI/ML acceleration and Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding capabilities. The AI/ML acceleration is achieved through Silicon Labs' proprietary Matrix Vector Processor (MVP), which provides up to 8x faster inferencing performance using only 1/6th of the power compared to performing the same calculations on the Cortex M processor. This makes the BG24L an ideal ML inferencing platform for time-series data on IoT applications such as sensors and predictive maintenance.

The Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding feature allows devices to determine the distance between themselves within sub-meter accuracy using two-way connections. This opens up new applications like item finding, access control, and geofencing. In asset tracking and logistics, the BG24L's Channel Sounding feature can help improve inventory management and reduce losses by enabling accurate real-time location tracking of assets, even in crowded environments like warehouses or multi-family housing units.

The BG22L, optimized for common Bluetooth applications, offers up to ten years of battery life on a single coin cell battery. This is achieved through features like ultra-low power receive mode and a Precision Low-Frequency RC Oscillator (PLFRCO) that eliminates the need for an external oscillator. The BG22L's low power consumption makes it ideal for battery-powered or battery-less IoT devices, further positioning it in the high-volume, cost-sensitive market segment.



Silicon Labs' new BG22L and BG24L SoCs represent a strategic product launch that could significantly strengthen the company's position in the $7.5 billion Bluetooth IoT chip market. The dual-product strategy is particularly noteworthy, as it allows Silicon Labs to capture both premium and value segments of the market. The BG24L is positioned as a premium offering with three key differentiators: 1) Early support for Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding, providing sub-meter accuracy for location services 2) Integrated AI/ML acceleration delivering 8x faster inferencing at 1/6th power consumption 3) Substantial processing power with a 78 MHz ARM Cortex M33 processor. These features target high-margin industrial and commercial applications in asset tracking and predictive maintenance.

The BG22L addresses the high-volume, cost-sensitive market segment with impressive power efficiency - achieving up to 10 years of battery life on a single coin cell. The elimination of external oscillators reduces bill of materials costs, potentially enabling higher margins or more competitive pricing in mass-market applications. This launch is strategically timed with Bluetooth 6.0's rollout, positioning Silicon Labs as an early leader in the new standard's implementation. The Channel Sounding feature could be particularly disruptive in the asset tracking market, challenging existing UWB-based solutions with a more power-efficient alternative.

From a business perspective, the Q2 2025 availability suggests immediate revenue impact in the second half of FY2025. The dual-product strategy allows Silicon Labs to capture both premium and value segments of the market, potentially expanding their serviceable available market by 25-30%. This could drive meaningful revenue growth in the company's IoT segment, which historically represents over 60% of total revenue.

In conclusion, Silicon Labs' BG22L and BG24L "Lite" SoCs bring application-optimized ultra-low power Bluetooth connectivity to the market, targeting high-volume, cost-sensitive, and low-power applications. With their advanced AI/ML acceleration and Channel Sounding features, these SoCs have the potential to revolutionize the Bluetooth IoT chip market and drive meaningful revenue growth for Silicon Labs.