Texas Instruments' CC23xx and CC26xx series of wireless microcontrollers represent the cutting edge of IoT connectivity, combining ultra-low power consumption with long-range wireless capabilities and mesh networking support. These chips are powering the next generation of edge computing devices, from smart home sensors to industrial IoT systems.
Understanding the CC23xx and CC26xx Families
Texas Instruments offers two complementary wireless MCU families designed for different IoT applications:
CC23xx Family (Latest Generation):
- • Ultra-low power consumption (Industry-leading energy efficiency)
- • Sub-GHz and 2.4 GHz support
- • Bluetooth 5.4 Low Energy
- • Thread 1.3 and Matter protocol support
- • Ideal for battery-powered IoT devices
- • Enhanced security features
CC26xx Family (Proven Platform):
- • Multi-protocol support (BLE, Zigbee, Thread, proprietary)
- • 2.4 GHz operation
- • Arm Cortex-M4F processor
- • Rich peripheral set
- • Extensive development ecosystem
- • Production-proven reliability
Revolutionary Power Efficiency
What sets TI's wireless MCUs apart is their exceptional power efficiency—critical for battery-powered IoT devices that need to operate for years without replacement:
- Active Mode RX: As low as 5.4 mA (CC23xx)
- Active Mode TX: 6.5 mA at 0 dBm (CC23xx)
- Standby Mode: 0.6 µA with RTC running
- Shutdown Mode: As low as 60 nA
- Battery Life: 10+ years on coin cell for typical sensor applications
This efficiency enables entirely new categories of IoT devices that were previously impractical due to power constraints.
Long-Range Connectivity
Beyond power efficiency, TI's wireless MCUs offer impressive range capabilities:
Sub-GHz Operation (CC23xx)
Operating in the 868/915 MHz bands, the CC23xx can achieve:
- Open Space Range: Up to 10+ km with external antenna
- Urban Environment: 1-3 km typical
- Indoor Penetration: Excellent through walls and floors
- Interference Resistance: Better than 2.4 GHz in crowded environments
2.4 GHz Operation (Both Families)
The 2.4 GHz radios provide:
- BLE Range: 200-300 meters line-of-sight
- Higher Data Rates: Up to 2 Mbps for BLE 5
- Global Band: Works worldwide without regional variants
- Ecosystem Compatibility: Works with smartphones and standard BLE devices
Mesh Networking Capabilities
One of the most powerful features of TI's wireless MCUs is native support for mesh networking protocols:
Thread Protocol
Thread is an IPv6-based mesh networking protocol designed specifically for IoT:
- Self-healing mesh that automatically routes around failures
- No single point of failure
- Secure by default with AES encryption
- Low latency (<50ms node-to-node)
- Supports hundreds of nodes per network
- Foundation for Matter smart home standard
Zigbee
The CC26xx family supports Zigbee, the established IoT mesh protocol:
- Huge installed base in smart homes and industry
- Low power consumption
- Proven reliability in large-scale deployments
- Extensive device ecosystem
Bluetooth Mesh
Both families support Bluetooth mesh for applications requiring compatibility with smartphones:
- Works directly with billions of BLE-enabled phones
- Flooding-based mesh architecture
- Ideal for lighting and building automation
- Commercial and industrial adoption growing rapidly
Edge Computing Capabilities
Modern IoT devices don't just collect data—they process it locally. TI's wireless MCUs include substantial computing power for edge AI and signal processing:
Processing Capabilities:
- • Arm Cortex-M4F running at 48-80 MHz
- • Hardware floating-point unit for DSP operations
- • 256-1024 KB Flash memory
- • 36-144 KB RAM
- • Crypto accelerators for security
- • 12-bit ADC for sensor interfacing
This processing power enables on-device machine learning inference, sensor fusion, and data preprocessing— reducing the need to send raw data to the cloud and improving response times.
Real-World Applications
Smart Building Automation
TI's wireless MCUs power intelligent building systems including:
- Occupancy sensors with 10-year battery life
- Smart lighting that adjusts based on ambient conditions
- HVAC controls for energy optimization
- Environmental monitoring (temperature, humidity, CO2)
Industrial IoT
Manufacturers use these chips for:
- Wireless sensor networks for condition monitoring
- Asset tracking across factory floors
- Predictive maintenance systems
- Safety monitoring in hazardous environments
Smart Home Devices
Consumer products powered by CC23xx/CC26xx include:
- Door/window sensors
- Smart locks
- Thermostats
- Water leak detectors
- Air quality monitors
Healthcare and Wearables
Medical applications leverage the ultra-low power for:
- Continuous glucose monitors
- Heart rate monitors
- Fall detection devices
- Medication adherence monitors
Matter Protocol Support
One of the most significant recent developments is native support for the Matter protocol—the new unified smart home standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and the Connectivity Standards Alliance.
Matter advantages with TI wireless MCUs:
- Single device works with Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa
- Built on Thread for reliable mesh networking
- Regular updates and improvements from standards body
- Future-proof smart home devices
- Local operation without cloud dependencies
Security Features
Security is paramount in IoT devices, and TI's wireless MCUs include comprehensive protection:
Security Capabilities:
- • AES-128/256 hardware acceleration
- • SHA-256 cryptographic hash engine
- • True Random Number Generator (TRNG)
- • Secure boot with chain of trust
- • Flash protection and secure key storage
- • Debug port protection
- • Firmware update authentication
Development Ecosystem
TI provides extensive tools and resources for developers:
SimpleLink SDK
Comprehensive software development kit including:
- Protocol stacks (BLE, Thread, Zigbee, etc.)
- Driver libraries for all peripherals
- Example applications
- Power optimization tools
- Over-the-air (OTA) update frameworks
Development Hardware
- LaunchPad development kits ($20-50)
- SensorTag reference designs
- SmartRF protocol packet sniffer
- Evaluation modules for prototyping
IDE Support
- Code Composer Studio (TI's Eclipse-based IDE)
- IAR Embedded Workbench
- Keil MDK
- Visual Studio Code extensions
Comparing CC23xx vs CC26xx: Which to Choose?
| Feature | CC23xx (New) | CC26xx (Proven) |
|---|---|---|
| Power Efficiency | Best-in-class | Excellent |
| Frequency Bands | Sub-GHz + 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz only |
| Protocols | BLE 5.4, Thread, Matter | BLE, Zigbee, Thread |
| Ecosystem Maturity | Growing | Very mature |
| Best For | New designs, long-range | Proven apps, Zigbee |
The Future of Wireless IoT
Texas Instruments' CC23xx and CC26xx families represent the state-of-the-art in wireless IoT connectivity. As edge computing becomes increasingly important, having capable local processing combined with long-range, low-power wireless enables entirely new categories of applications.
Whether you're building smart home devices, industrial sensors, or healthcare wearables, TI's wireless MCUs provide the foundation for reliable, efficient, and secure IoT solutions. With comprehensive development tools, extensive documentation, and strong community support, getting started has never been easier.