For all the attention paid to AI models and compute power, one foundational technology remains vital but invisible: wireless connectivity. Without it, the smart edge doesn’t function.
The devices we use every day—smart speakers, earbuds, home security systems, wearables, even connected vehicles—don’t just need intelligence. They need to communicate seamlessly and securely in real time, often across multiple protocols and platforms.
Without connectivity, intelligence embedded in smart devices is trapped. Connectivity allows edge devices to work as part of a cohesive system. Whether it’s downloading new models, receiving software updates, sending processed data (meta-data) to the cloud, or interacting with nearby sensors and controllers, connectivity is the entry point for intelligence. And yet, connectivity is often taken for granted—until it doesn’t work.
Wireless Is the New Baseline
Multi-protocol wireless connectivity is the magic that powers the smart edge. Today’s modern connected device needs to speak many languages—Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, UWB, Zigbee, Matter, Thread, and 5G—and switch between them effortlessly. From high-bandwidth media streaming to ultra-low-latency sensor data exchange, each use case brings its own unique demands.
ABI Research forecasted that there would be more than 55 billion connected devices by the end of 2025 demonstrating how the connected edge is becoming the default computing paradigm. And wireless innovation is accelerating to meet these demands:
- Bluetooth 6.0 brings precise ranging and positioning for IoT, while upcoming high data throughput will bring lossless multi-channel audio streaming.
- LE Audio and Auracast redefine shared listening and multi-device audio streaming.
- Wi-Fi 6/6E/7 delivers higher bandwidth and lower latency across dense networks. reliability and at consumer price points.
- UWB enables centimeter-level spatial awareness for our car key fobs and other devices.
These are foundational needs and they demand technology that is silicon-proven, power-efficient, and ready to scale across everything from earbuds to electric vehicles.
Why Connectivity-as-IP Makes Sense
Here’s the catch: connectivity is mission-critical, but it’s rarely product-differentiating. It has to work perfectly. It has to support evolving standards. And it must be certified, interoperable, and power-efficient, all while being updated and supported long after a chip ships.
Building this internally is complex and expensive. Hiring and retaining wireless protocol experts, securing regulatory certifications, and staying current with new specs is a full-time job for elite teams. For most chip companies and device makers, that doesn’t deliver a return.
That’s why more companies are turning to licensable IP—and why Ceva is so well positioned.
Ceva: The Connectivity Engine Behind the Smart Edge
At Ceva, we’ve spent more than three decades building the IP that makes wireless work. Today, we are the #1 licensor of Bluetooth and wireless connectivity IP, with:
- 67% market share in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi IP
- More than 50% of all non-Apple wireless earbuds are powered by Ceva
- 10 out of the top 13 MCU vendors are licensing our connectivity solutions
That means Ceva technology is already embedded in billions of connected consumer devices shipping today. And we’re enabling the next wave of smart, secure, and seamless edge interactions.
From combo radios in wearables and smart home hubs to low-power connectivity for industrial sensors, Ceva’s IP portfolio is designed for performance, efficiency, and integration. Our multi-protocol stacks help customers reduce complexity and get to market faster with feature-rich products.
Beyond the Radio: Intelligent Wireless Built-In
Connectivity today is more than exchanging data, it’s about making devices context-aware, adaptive, and responsive. Ceva’s portfolio spans not just modem and radio IP, but also Edge AI, sensor fusion, and software stacks that make communication smarter. From earbuds that adjust audio based on location and user behavior to network gateways that optimize wireless traffic and mesh routing to ensure the best service levels, this is what modern connectivity looks like, And Ceva is making it possible from the silicon up.
Why This Matters Now
As the smart edge expands and artificial intelligence of things (AIoT) is rising, multi-protocol connectivity will become a make-or-break requirement. Meeting the demands of today’s smart devices means staying ahead of evolving standards, supporting emerging protocols, and delivering seamless interoperability. This is where Ceva leads with proven, production-ready IP. Ceva is helping the world’s most innovative companies bring smarter, more connected products to market—faster, and with less risk.
The Smart Edge runs on Ceva. And connectivity is what keeps it moving.
Tal Shalev