4/23/25 – All About Circuits
The new wireless platform leverages ultra-wideband technology to deliver secure automated access control to your front door.
NXP recently announced a new development platform targeting hands-free, automated access to homes and other secure areas. Keyless automated access technology is not new. Businesses use RF keycards to automatically unlock doors, and cars use near-field technology to sense, identify, and unlock without pressing a button or turning a key. Home access, however, has thus far still required a keypad entry, smartphone app, or physical key.
NXP’s Autonomous Secure Access Solution is designed to change that. Products created with the development platform will allow entry without a keypad, app, or button. Users will only need to approach a door to unlock it. The development platform provides certification-ready hardware, firmware, and UI software.
An All-in-One Entry Solution for Smart Homes
While hands-free access is not new, the standards for interoperability and end-to-end security are just emerging. NXP has brought all the parts together, ensured interoperability with the various standards, developed a software framework, and delivered it all in a tested one-stop solution. The NXP solution covers multiple automated secure access, safety, and communications protocols. Packaging the complete solution removes a considerable amount of development burden.
For the device manufacturer, the NXP solution offers all of the component parts in an integrated, tested system. The system includes hardware modules, base software, and a cloud-based provisioning service. The hardware includes a Bluetooth Low Energy radio and an embedded secure enclave tailored to support Matter and Aliro security requirements.
Automated Access Solution system architecture.
The development kit is architected around the NXP FRDM development platform, containing an MCX W71 Arm Cortex-M33 processor and an Arduino-compatible shield. The shield contains the UWB chip, near field communication (NFC), and the security SE0151S chip. The shield is required for hands-off door unlock capability.
MCXW71-FRDM development board block diagram.
How It Works
NXP’s Autonomous Secure Access Solution works with users’ smartphones to create a seamless, secure entry platform similar to automobile keyless entry systems. The NXP system connects to a phone and senses when it is in close proximity. Once identified, the system will unlock the door so the homeowner can walk in without opening an app on their phone, using a key, or entering a code. Just walk up and open the door.
NXP Autonomous Secure Access Solution development kit.
The key component of hands-free walk-up and open functionality is ultra-wideband (UWB) positioning technology. UWB determines precise position. The phone or other access devices (a fob or smartwatch, for example) and the door lock both must have UWB capability. When the device is close enough to the lock, the device and lock will verify authorization. With that done, the door will unlock automatically and relock based on set instructions.
NXP has developed the Trimension SR150 chip for UWB support. In the door lock scenario, the access device and the lock will both contain an SR150. The SR150 adds 3D angle of arrival (AoA) capability for even more precise location determination. The chip is compatible with FiRa to ensure interoperability with a wide set of UWB devices, in addition to other NXP UWB devices. The platform also leverages NXP’s Edgelock SE051 security chip, certified to CC EAL 6+ with AVA_VAN.5, and offers coverage from the firmware to the OS level. The chip covers device-to-cloud IoT security.
Supporting the CSA’s Aliro Standard
Secure home access is one of the more critical IoT arenas. While turning a light fixture on and off does present some security concerns, the stakes are lower than they are for front door access, which presents physical in-person risks.
The Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) is finalizing the Aliro protocol standard for communication between access readers and user devices. The Aliro standard supports consistent, secure interoperability between devices, such as smartphones, smart watches, wearables, and other devices used to lock and unlock doors.
One of Aliro’s key features is the common credential. The common credential ensures that any device certified as adhering to the standard will operate with any other device also certified. This means that adding a new lock or buying or selling a home will not require a user to change the access device or the locking system for compatibility. It ensures that the user experience will be consistent, and owners will be able to mix and match equipment without compatibility issues.
Coming to a Door Near You
The Aliro standard is set for adoption in 2025. The NXP access solution is sampling now and is scheduled for full availability in the second half of 2025. When shipping, it will be one of the first solutions to use UWB technology for hands-free, walk-up unlocking capability.
All images used courtesy of NXP Semiconductor.