ultra low power

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MINd GaMING HEadsET WINTER ISSUE 2010 Nordic connectivity powers revolutionary mind-control gaming

Pioneering wireless mind-control ULP operational characteristics of the Nordic specialist training or equipment to use beyond specialist, Emotiv, is employing Nordic transceivers allows the EPOC’s rechargeable a simple on-screen guided initial setup and 2.4GHz proprietary transceivers in lithium-polymer battery to run for up to 14 hours learn procedure (that can be included as part its off-the-shelf EPOC Neuroheadset platform. of continuous operation between charges – of a game). This set-up ensures all 14 sensors Emotiv is now actively promoting the headset enough to satisfy even the most hard-core gamers. (located on self-adjusting arms) are correctly to the mainstream consumer gaming industry. Because the headset has been optimized positioned and making adequate contact The EPOC consumer wireless headset can specifically for consumer use it requires no with the user’s head to conduct the minute reliably distinguish between unique electrical electrical signals. Uniquely in the case of the brain patterns produced when a wearer EPOC headset, this includes being able to thinks of performing various computer game- operate through hair, which is normally a applicable actions such as left/right, natural electrical insulator. push/pull, lift/drop, rotate, and vanish. If, for example, the wearer thinks Enriched gaming experience of ‘pushing’, a gaming object will be “Gamers can now interact with the virtual propelled away from them, and if they world by the power of thought alone,” explains think ‘pull’, it will be drawn towards Geoff Mackellar, Research Manager and the user. CTO at Emotiv. “This will enrich the gaming Emotiv says the headset experience beyond all recognition as – which additionally it will allow gamers to interact with incorporates a gaming content in entirely new and gyroscope to detect seemingly magical ways that can include movement – is more accurate emotional responses from virtual than just a ‘brain-powered joystick’. It characters. In fact it could be just what the can also detect facial expressions and even gaming market needs to take it to the next emotional states (for example, excitement, ‘must have’ product level.” calmness, tension, frustration or engagement) to modify the game’s performance, allowing on-screen characters to respond empathetically to the user’s inputs.

Extended battery life In operation, electrical brain data from 14 Nordic RF technology independent sensors on the EPOC headset sends information from is transmitted to a USB wireless dongle the EPOC headset to a gaming console to using Nordic Semiconductor 2.4GHz enable a unique gaming ultra low power (ULP) transceivers. The experience NEWS • TRENDS • COMMENT • FEATURES • RF DESIGN TIPS • PEOPLE & FACES Nordic radios New markets RF remote soon available in open, traditional control reaches ultra small size markets expand tipping point Wafer level chip scale In 2010, low Consumer demand package options of energy became reality and cheaper pricing is Nordic’s leading and new sectors pushing RF remotes 2.4GHz transceivers adopted proprietary towards mass-market will arrive in 2011 2 tech. By Jack Shandle 6 acceptance 9 : MAKING A QUICK START WITH THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY – PAGE 14

The Bluetooth™ word mark and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by the Bluetooth SIG IN BRIEf NEW pRoducT pREVIEW Nordic made shortlist Chip scale package options of for GSA Award Nordic was one of three finalists in the prestigious Global Nordic 2.4GHz products unveiled Semiconductor Alliance (GSA) 2010 Outstanding Nordic is to expand its existing 2.4GHz RF and EMEA Semiconductor ANT product line-ups in Q1 2011 with a new set  The new Company Award. The of ultra miniaturized, wafer level chip scale package Nordic GSA award nomination (WLCSP) options as small as 2.6 by 2.7mm in size and nRF24AP2 formally recognized occupying up to five times smaller footprints than WLCSP semiconductor firms option will with HQs in Europe, competing devices. occupy 3.6x The WLCSP devices will meet the highly space- less footprint the Middle East, and area than Africa, that demonstrated constrained needs of existing and emerging sports, the standard strength in market leadership fitness, and health applications including sports 5x5mm and competitiveness, product watches, bike computers, sensors, hearing aids, and nRF24AP2 1- lines, innovation, and corporate and 8-channel other devices designed to be worn on or near the body. (pictured management (including culture, here) versions vision, talents, and leadership), Sampling in Q1 2011 and available for volume and overall likelihood of orders in Q2 2011 will be the nRF24AP2 WLCSP (1- long-term success. “We were and 8-channel) and nRF24LE1 WLCSP (flash or OTP) sincerely grateful to receive options. footprint of 7.3mm2 for the flash version and 7mm2 for such prestigious, independent The new 1- and 8-channel nRF24AP2 WLCSP options the OTP version. Both devices are 0.5mm thick. industry recognition,” said will represent the world’s small single chip ANT devices “In a lot of existing and emerging health, fitness, Nordic’s CEO Svenn-Tore Larsen. “Our shortlisting recognized how and will be 400µm pitch (regular array) 32-ball BGAs and medical applications size is quickly becoming a key 2 in order to become and stay a with a thickness of 0.5mm and a footprint of just 7mm . differentiating factor,” says Thomas Embla Bonnerud, leader in the fiercely competitive That is over five times smaller than the footprints of Nordic’s Product Manager for Ultra Low Power Wireless. semiconductor industry today competing 6 by 6mm (36mm2) packaged products. “This is because the products are often carried on or you need a unique combination The nRF24LE1 WLCSP option (flash or OTP) will also near the body and so need to be as light and small as of commercial and technical feature a 400µm (regular array) 32-ball pitch BGA with a possible so they are discrete and comfortable to wear .” people, skills, talent, market vision, and product technology.” TELEHEaLTH First ANT+ telemedical remote monitoring Suunto’s sports watch system could cut health care costs and footpod wireless link is powered The i-Residence telemedical and (particularly for the elderly). by ANT+ telehealth system is the world’s The network employs ANT+ technology first fully comprehensive ANT+ compatible devices and a series of PHOTO: COURTESY SUUNTO COURTESY PHOTO: telemedical remote monitoring wireless relay bridges (typically Correction system. one per room or ward) that In the last issue of ULP Wireless Quarter we used Based on Nordic nRF24AP2 connect to an ANT+ hub located a picture of a Suunto 8-channel 2.4GHz ANT transceivers in a GSM-based modem. sportswatch and footpod and developed by Austrian In use, the system detects to illustrate a use case for company, Spantec, the i-Residence and classifies emergencies Bluetooth low energy wireless is said to eliminate the need for on a rising scale technology ULP Wireless (see costly human-based health care according to various Quarter, Autumn 10, page 14). While this is a target use monitoring. The unit is capable of application-dependent case for this technology we automatic fall detection, remotely measurement options. Spantec’s fall should not have used this monitored disease management, These include automatic detection product is particular picture because and medically prescribed fall detection using a currently undergoing full clinical trials the product shown uses exercise monitoring using ANT+ wireless hip worn device ANT+ technology. ANT+ is a compatible wireless health or developed by Spantec (currently message’), or visual interface; and proven wireless connectivity technology used in millions fitness sensors. undergoing full clinical trials in full compatibility with any third of products across the globe. The i-Residence uses an ANT+ one of Austria’s largest hospitals); party ANT+ medical, health or The Editor of ULP Wireless ultra low power (ULP) wireless automatic alert to rescue fitness device (such as monitors Quarter is happy to put the network to detect medical center control desks, relatives for blood pressure, blood glucose, record straight. emergencies in nursing homes, or neighbors by phone, Short mobile electrocardiogram (ECG), hospitals, and private households Message Service (SMS or ‘text weight or heart rate).

2 Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 www.nordicsemi.com NEWs &TRENds

pc pERIpHERaLs BLuETooTH LoW Rapid adoption of wireless PC ENERGY updaTE peripherals ‘in next five years’

Wireless adoption among Wireless keyboards and computer mice, keyboards, mice offer users greater  convenience printers, routers, speakers, monitors and projectors is set to increase quickly over the next five years. According to an IMS Research report* the trend is being driven by Bluetooth low three key factors. energy enters First, wireless PC peripheral “There will be a clear trend to wireless for booming market products tend to offer a more all types of PC peripherals, and wireless convenient solution for users products will become increasingly popular” Recently released compared with traditional wired Bluetooth low energy alternatives provided they are user- Finally, constant technological peripherals,” comments IMS wireless technology - the friendly, reliable in operation, and innovation across a variety of Research market analyst Michael ultra-low power version of the reasonably priced. wireless technologies and PC Liu, “and wireless products will established classic Bluetooth wireless technology - is set to Second, the average selling peripheral devices is further become increasingly popular.” enter a market that’s booming price of wireless PC peripherals is improving the end user experience on the back of demand for predicted to continue to decline and the range of products available. * The World Market for PC Peripherals products and devices that due to intense competition and “There will be a clear trend & Accessories – 2010 Edition. Fore more need low cost and low power mass-market sales volumes. to wireless for all types of PC information go to tinyurl.com/32bh47f wireless connectivity. According to an ABI Research report*, the market for short range wireless chips poWER TEcHNoLoGY (including classic Bluetooth wireless technology, NFC, Body heat powers medical sensors UWB, 802.15.4, and Wi-Fi) is booming, and despite the Differences in temperature between the body challenging global economic Body heat (or other warm objects) and the surrounding - like that climate total shipments have air could be used to power biomedical monitoring shown in still increased approximately sensors worn by patients using new energy- this thermal 18 percent in 2010 compared image - scavenging systems under development at the promises to to 2009. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). power tiny According to the report, sensors The unique aspect of devices based on this volume shipments of MIT-developed technology is an ability to harness Bluetooth technology lead the temperature differences of just one or two short range wireless IC market (primarily due to use in degrees, producing tiny (about 100 microwatts) cellphones) and are expected but nevertheless usable amounts of electric to exceed 55 percent of total power. Such technology could, for example, shipments this year. enable 24-hour-a-day monitoring of heart rate, The report also says that blood sugar or other biomedical data through a Bluetooth chip-enabled home small device worn on the arm or leg and powered entertainment products, along by the body’s temperature alone - eliminating the communications devices has been greatly with networked and handheld need for batteries. reduced,” says Ph.D researcher Yogesh Ramadass game consoles, are forming a The same technology could even be extended who worked on the technology with Prof. Anatha newly emerging market that to monitors used for machinery or industrial Chandrakasan at MIT. is generating an increase in installations in remote or inaccessible situations “This has made it possible to power such devices Bluetooth chip shipments. and in doing so eliminate maintenance costs from very low-power energy harvesting systems *Short Range Wireless ICs: associated with changing batteries. such as a wearable thermoelectric system.” Bluetooth, NFC, UWB, “Over the last decade the power consumption (For further information go to tinyurl. 802.15.4 and Wi-Fi Market of various electronic sensors, processors and ) com/32oyrke. Forecasts – see tinyurl.com/34lht4p www.nordicsemi.com Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 3 EdIToRIaL

“We come up with some innovative applications Wireless PC peripheral for ULP wireless connectivity, but we family expands fail to predict perhaps even thirty percent of The appeal of wireless connectivity is in its convenience; the applications our damage prone electromechanical connectors are eliminated and the user is freed from the restrictions of being tethered customers constantly to the device at the other end of the wired link. As long as the user think up” remains within the working range of the wireless technology in use Thomas Embla Bonnerud (usually tens of meters), they can move around at will. Dear Reader Computer users dream of a neat work area, free from the clutter The last several years have been an exciting time for Nordic of cables, comprising keyboard and mouse functioning in perfect Semiconductor in particular and the low power wireless sector in harmony with a PC and monitor. The superior performance of 2.4GHz general. During that time, wireless connectivity has evolved from technology at a competitive price is rapidly turning this vision into an esoteric application reserved for expensive, niche applications reality for millions of computer users (see ULP Wireless Quarter, to a standard functionality of thousands of electronic products. Q1 2009, page 11). And once these users have experienced this Adding a wireless link to an electronic device will never be convenience they start demanding wireless connectivity in other routine, because RF engineering is a tricky business, but we office devices. It’s no surprise to hear then that wireless adoption is have worked to make it a lot less daunting. That’s enabled the accelerating among other PC peripherals such as speakers, remote technology to be utilized by engineers who previously wouldn’t controls, monitors, printers, and projectors. have considered employing RF. And because Nordic wireless Analyst company IMS Research confirms this trend in a recent connectivity can run from tiny coin cell-type batteries engineers report (see this issue page 3) noting that there are three primary have come up with some amazing uses for a wireless link. reasons for the rapid growth of wireless technology in the PC market: For example, in this issue of ULP Wireless Quarter we describe Wireless products are more convenient; the price of wireless PC Nordic technology used for Emotiv’s wireless headset allowing a peripherals is dropping as competition heats up and large scale user to control a computer game by thinking of the movement he production kicks in, and constant innovation is improving the end- wants the on-screen character to emulate (see front cover). user experience and the range of wireless products on offer. As part of Nordic’s product development strategy we come The proportion of wireless products varies significantly for up with some innovative - even radical - concepts, but we fail different PC peripherals. According to the report, it is estimated that to predict perhaps even thirty percent of the applications our in 2010, about 80 percent of all routers will be wireless, while 97 customers constantly think up. But what we have successfully percent of projectors will remain wired. Even so, there is a clear trend predicted is that some customers want the performance and to wireless for all types of PC peripherals, and wireless products are price benefits of a customized proprietary solution, while others becoming increasingly popular. demand the interoperability guaranteed by an independent The wireless PC peripherals family will be served by a number of standard such as Bluetooth Version 4.0 (which includes the ultra- wireless technologies. Where power is at a premium such as in the low power variant Bluetooth low energy wireless technology). Still battery-powered keyboards, mice, and remote others require a combination of both - an optimized product that’s controls, Bluetooth low energy and Nordic’s also considered a de facto standard in its market segment. proprietary solutions will dominate. But for That’s why Nordic has developed silicon solution comprising monitors, printers, and projectors, where RF chips, development tools, communication software, and mains power is available and greater reference designs across three distinct product families. nRF24Lxx bandwidth is required, Wi-Fi is likely proprietary technology, the company’s µBlue single mode to be the preferred choice. Whatever Bluetooth low energy solutions, and nRF24AP2 chips using ANT’s the option, wireless technology will RF communications software mean that Nordic can supply ultra- inevitably replace less convenient low power wireless connectivity no matter what the application. wired connections in the home or But we know that we can’t stand still because our customers’ business office. engineers will always think of another wireless application that Soon, consumers will demand could benefit from lower power consumption, greater range, wider a wireless living room too. bandwidth or lower price. That will boost demand for That’s why 2011 will see more exciting additions to Nordic’s devices such as wireless product range. Keep reading this publication to find out more. DVD players, set-top Yours Sincerely, boxes (STBs) and the RF remotes needed to control them. Consumers Thomas Embla Bonnerud want freedom Product Manager for Ultra Low Power Wireless from wired connections

4 Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 WHaT’s NEW fRoM NoRdIc

nRfREadY R/c RacING REfERENcE dEsIGN Racing start for wireless cars Nordic’s latest reference design is the nRFready R/C Racing that enables manufacturers to bring exciting new features to remote control toy cars

emote control racing cars are nothing new, but due to cost constraints they have been limited to technically R inferior 27/49MHz wireless solutions. This has restricted the number of features that manufacturers can add to these toys. But now, Nordic’s 2.4GHz technology offers increased functionality at a price point that’s attractive to toy makers. The nRFready R/C Racing reference To ease the changeover for engineers not design allows toy familiar with 2.4GHz technology, the company manufacturers to has recently introduced its nRFready R/C add new functions to their products Racing reference design that incorporates everything needed to produce an exciting remote control toy car racing game, with multiple vehicles. The reference design includes a pair of cars and controllers, four waypoints, a USB dongle, the nRFready Racing Studio PC application, as well as all required source code and hardware design files. Because the reference design is based on the company’s nRF24LE1, it provides both a flexible development platform with flash, and a smooth migration to Nordic’s lower-cost one time programmable (OTP) variant (nRF24LE1 OTP) for mass production. “We see an increasing interest in our 2.4GHz technology from the toy industry,” says Thomas Embla Bonnerud, Product Manager with Nordic Semiconductor. “This reference design enables innovative toy manufacturers to very easily take “2.4GHz technology takes remote controlled toys to advantage of our 2.4GHz technology to take their remote controlled toys to the next level the next level by adding features not possible with older by adding features not possible with the RF technology, at a price point consumers find appealing” technologies typically employed today.” stops, fuel stations or repair shops. employs Nordic’s nRF24LE1. This system-on- Feeling the crash And because Nordic’s 2.4GHz technology chip delivers true ultra-low power operation The reference design allows each car and offers robust bi-directional communications, with peak currents low enough to run on coin controller to be easily paired to one another, and the car sends a signal to the controller when cell batteries, extending its appeal to even the with Nordic’s Gazell RF protocol software, more it crashes so the player can experience the most compact electronic toys. n than two cars can race against each other without accident via a vibration in the handset. Finally, interference and without the typical hassle of racing statistics such as lap time, number of Further Information: For detailed technical changing crystals in the cars and controllers. crashes, and speed, are all wirelessly collected information on the nRFready R/C Racing reference Multiple waypoints can be used to set-up by the nRFready Racing Studio application design, please go to this link: http://tinyurl.com/34pmse7. a free-form racing track indoors or outdoors. enabling users to log and visualize racing data, For Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the devices Waypoint functionality can easily be expanded and even share it over the Internet. please refer to the Technical FAQ web pages at http://faq. to include additional game features such as pit- The nRFready R/C Racing reference design nordicsemi.no/faq/index.html. www.nordicsemi.com Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 5 2010 IN REVIEW New wireless markets open, traditional markets expand Jack Shandle fEaTuRE is a freelance 2010 was a year when Bluetooth low energy made the transition writer specializing in semiconductors, from concept to reality and proprietary technologies gobbled up wireless, and other high-tech new applications. By Jack Shandle topics

his year will be remembered as the one in which new applications took 2011 will see an increase in remote controlled center stage in the ultra low power toys based on 2.4GHz (ULP) wireless market sector with ULP wireless technology T replacing 27/49MHz mass market fitness, proximity, RF remotes, and home automation joining medical and PC peripherals in the ever-growing list of sub- markets. Leveraging their advantages in power conservation, cost, and performance, proprietary technologies led the way into the new markets. But perhaps the single most important technology development in 2010 was the realization of the Bluetooth low energy standard.

ULP on the march Applications for new markets are based on silicon radios, protocol stacks, and profiles. And 2010 has seen some significant developments for these technologies. The leading technology story in 2010 was the ratification of the Bluetooth 4.0 Core Specification, which for the first time included Bluetooth low energy. Mike Foley, monitoring activity and fitness leading the 2010 was already a year of products for executive director of the Bluetooth Special way. Smartphones will begin to support the proprietary technologies, according to Ståle Interest Group, adds that several profiles low-energy protocol stack allowing users Ytterdal, Nordic Semiconductor’s Director of relevant to Bluetooth low energy are also to download simple applications to control Sales and Marketing for Asia Pacific. Fitness likely to be ratified before the year is out. things with their phones instead of single applications are proliferating and the market These include the Proximity Profile, which function devices such as tags or watches. size for human interface devices (HIDs) is determines relative location and has many growing faster than ever thanks to design interesting applications, as well as profiles for AT A GLANCE wins that replace IR as the communications heart rate monitors, thermometers, weight technology in remote controls for home  The remote control market for home scales, and battery status. entertainment equipment started an entertainment gear. The silicon is also ready for prime time. evolution that will ultimately leave IR In 2011 the replacement of infrared (IR) will At the Electronica trade show in November behind accelerate as the demands on remotes become four companies – Cambridge-based CSR  A convergence of web, ULP and more and more challenging in terms of Ltd.; EM Microelectronic, a Swiss company advanced protocol technologies gave bandwidth and latency, Ytterdal said. 2011 will fitness monitoring more appeal to a with a watch making pedigree; Nordic wider population of users also see the arrival of toys based on 2.4GHz, Semiconductor; and Texas Instruments – all  2011 will be the year when the first wireless ULP technology instead of technically presented Bluetooth low energy technology Bluetooth low energy products launch inferior 27/49MHz technology. demonstrations. and the year that proprietary ULP technologies break out of the HID Looking ahead, Foley said 2011 will be niche and address a wider universe of End of the road for IR remotes? the “year of products” with proximity, applications Ytterdal’s prediction about RF replacing IR body sensors, and several devices for for remote control is based on the 2010 trend u

6 Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 www.nordicsemi.com that indicated the market dominance of sufficiently for many applications. significant advances in 2010 as well. The IR technology in remote controls for home So think of billions of RF-enabled tags that ANT+ protocol was certified as supporting the entertainment equipment might soon be can do things such as unlock automobile doors FITe1 interface standard adopted by several ending. IR retains its cost advantage over RF and start a car as the owner approaches or sportswatch manufacturers. Nordic’s nRF4AP2 remote controls but for the new generation adjust sensors for heating and air conditioning chips running ANT+ RF protocol software of sophisticated interfaces with touch-screen, controls or monitor the movements of small deliver a ULP solution that’s immune to RF pads, movement sensors, track balls, and children up to about 100 meters. interference and can support more than 80

joysticks, IR simply does not have the desired devices in close proximity. fEaTuRE characteristics. Fitness market shapes up Chief among the deficiencies IR probably ULP wireless has been making rapid progress Home automation buzzing will never overcome are low data bandwidth, among professional and amateur athletes who The hype about “networks of things” grew relatively high latency, and line-of-sight want to monitor their performance. But there stronger as Smart Grid technologies started requirements. RF technology will continue to had always been a question about penetration their journey from concept to realization have a higher price tag but the value of using, into the mass market given the relatively in 2010. Communication between billions for example, an LCD screen on the controller expensive ULP wireless-capable wristwatches, of smartphones and/or utility meters with to operate an array of home entertainment sensors, and the PC software involved. kitchen appliances, home security systems, products is likely to convince manufacturers Those doubts were largely eliminated in entertainment, and thermostats is a natural and consumers alike that it’s worth the extra 2010 with the convergence of three seemingly fit for low power and ULP technologies. few pennies. unlikely forces: Google Earth; Facebook; and, No one is quite sure how this market will In 2010, RF4CE took an early lead because the potent hardware/software combination develop and which technologies will be the industry consortium that created it that has been driving the professional end of favored. From the utility meter perspective, is heavily weighted with manufacturers the wireless sensor-watch computer market. ZigBee has a head start because it aligned of gear. Based on Google Earth and Facebook supply the its Smart Energy Profile precisely with the IEEE802.15.4, RF4CE will encounter spirited entertainment and social networking factors OpenHAN (Home Area Network) specification competition from Bluetooth low energy that will interest the average amateur athlete favored by many utilities in the U.S. and proprietary solution such as Nordic (see ULP WQ, Spring 2010, page 6). Google Earth ZigBee is not, however, a true ULP Semiconductor’s nRF24LE1 chip running can be used to plot cycling or running routes. technology. So from the Personal Area Gazell RF protocol software. Because battery Facebook provides the social interaction Network (PAN) perspective of wireless- life is likely to be an important criterion in people need to keep motivated. communications-capable wristwatches and many applications, RF4CE does not have the The hardware/software component made key fobs, the leading candidates are, once best ultra low power (ULP) credentials. again, proprietary systems and Bluetooth low One early example of the competition is Garmin’s FR60 sports watch is designed to energy. The fact is that the application we the Bellagio RF platform from Philips Home seamlessly connect with fi tness machines over know as ‘home automation’ has changed the FITe1 digital interface Control, which credited its choice of Nordic considerably with the advent of PANs and technology to the superior battery life it HANs connected to the Smart Grid by Smart delivered (see ULP WQ, Autumn 2010, page 10). Meters. As a result the best bet is probably a hybrid network that employs technologies to The dark horse: Proximity leverage their natural advantages. For many ULP design engineers, the potent As with many applications of ULP wireless combination of the upcoming Bluetooth connectivity, people are coming to the Proximity Profile and Bluetooth low energy realization that a single technology is not hit unexpectedly – but happily. Bluetooth going to conquer the world of PANs and HANs. low energy makes more information about signal strength available in the baseband High hopes for 2011 layer and the Proximity Profile Building on the strong technology foundation takes advantage of that. When established in 2010, the ULP community two Bluetooth low energy-enabled can look forward to sustained growth in devices pair, they each calculate 2011, which is shaping up as a year of high a link budget and monitor profile product rollouts for proprietary and it as the devices go through standards-based technologies alike. their standard link checking On the application side, RF remote procedure (see ULP WQ, Summer controls, devices based on Bluetooth low 2010, page 6). energy technology’s Proximity Profile, fitness By constantly monitoring applications, and home automation are signal strength, the devices can likely to grow. Beyond that, it’s probably safe estimate how close they are to each to say that several more exciting wireless other – not in meters or feet, perhaps, but connectivity applications will appear. What’s accurately enough to estimate proximity harder to predict is exactly what they’ll be. n

www.nordicsemi.com Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 7 ANT+ IN HEALTH Motivation for a healthy life ANT+ in wellness monitoring equipment is eliminating the tedium from keeping fit. A&D Medical describes how it employs the technology in its latest products

focus a nt ates of chronic diseases such as type 2 A&D Medical’s ANT+ equipped digital diabetes are increasing in developed blood pressure monitor records blood pressure readings and automatically countries due to an ageing and transmits the information via a Rincreasingly overweight population. wireless link to the user’s PC In the U.S., for example, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 23.6 million people, or 8 percent of the population, have diabetes of which 95 percent suffer from type 2. Fortunately, government-sponsored health education has ensured that all but the most insular know how to avoid succumbing to these diseases: don’t smoke, take exercise, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, lose weight. But knowing the rules and adhering to them are two different things. Tracking progress by measuring calories used, kilograms lost, fitness improvements or blood pressure decreases is a huge motivation. But manually recording these measurements is tedious and prone to error. Nordic’s nRF24AP2 transceiver hardware and ANT’s RF protocol software address this challenge by wirelessly connecting medical monitoring equipment to devices such as wristwatch computers so that readings can be automatically recorded without the user “The products using ANT provide a ‘biofeedback having to do a thing. The same software allows loop’ that records improving health. That provides all the wristwatch computer to automatically the motivation users need to keep going” connect to a PC when the user passes close by so the data can be downloaded and used products including three that use ANT+ At the core of Nordic’s ANT transceivers is by application software to plot progress. technology: a blood pressure monitor, a weight an improved ANT protocol stack that includes And because ANT+ technology ensures scale, and an activity monitor. According to several enhancements designed to increase interoperability between devices manufactured Siemens, while there are some products that performance and reduce power consumption. by the over 300-member strong ANT Alliance, use Bluetooth technology, his is the only firm When operating in simple broadcast mode, the consumer is not forced to purchase all their to offer wirelessly connected blood pressure for example, the devices average less than nine monitoring products from the same vendor. measurement and to offer all three devices on microamps, allowing for extended operation a common platform. from coin cells (see ULP WQ, Winter 2009, page 5). Best for health The company has embraced a number of “Chronic disease and associated health care “ANT+ enables our products to take a blood wireless technologies including Bluetooth costs are out of control,” says Siemens. “Our pressure reading, a weight reading, or track wireless connectivity, ZigBee, and Wi-Fi, but mission is to develop products that link to tools steps and calorie consumption but don’t the wellness market has particular demands that aid people in getting healthy and prevent require the user to do anything to record such as market acceptance, ease of use, and them developing these diseases in the first that information to a PC. Although our power consumption. “Power and ease of place. Our wellness products using ANT provide products don’t currently communicate with pairing are big issues for this market, no one a ‘biofeedback loop’ – recording activity and wristwatch computers, it’s perfectly feasible wants to be constantly changing batteries or monitoring weight and blood pressure – that and could happen in the near future,” pressing buttons to make the wireless link records improving health. That provides all the explains Ed Siemens, Director of Marketing & work,” confirms Siemens. “So, for devices motivation users need to keep going.” n Sales for A&D Medical. in this wellness sector, ANT+ is currently A&D Medical – based in San Jose, CA, U.S. – the best solution. It also helps that so many For more information on ANT+ or the nRF24AP2 manufactures a range of health monitoring companies are working with ANT.” go to www.thisisant.com or tinyurl.com/yfeu9kb

8 Nordic ULP WIRELESS quarter WINTER 2010 www.nordicsemi.com Rf REMoTE coNTRoL ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Svenn-Tore RF remote control nears Larsen is Nordic Semiconductor’s Chief Executive tipping point Officer Consumer demand and competitive pricing is pushing RF remote control close to mass-market acceptance, says Svenn-Tore Larsen coMMENT

nfrared (IR) remote control remains an inexpensive and reliable method for consumers to operate their home Iappliances. But its thirty-year dominance of the market is increasingly under threat from more versatile RF technology. One-button-one-operation, line-of-sight- access-only is becoming so frustrating that users will soon be happy to pay the small premium necessary to access the enhanced navigation and control features supported by bi-directional RF technology. This includes the use of touchpads, scroll wheels, touchscreens, and LCD displays that can show, for example, ‘live’ playing status and album artwork, as well as non- directional – often through-wall – operation. (See ULP Wireless Quarter, Spring 2010, page 9.) These ease-of-use advantages are driving RF remote control technology into the mainstream by raising consumer awareness of what’s possible and making IR remote controls look increasingly dated and unappealing in comparison. In addition, the price of RF remote controls continues to fall and is approaching a point whereby they are Consumers are increasingly frustrated with the limitations becoming attractive to consumer electronics of IR remote controls manufacturers for routine bundling with their products. Furthermore, major consumer electronics “The ease-of-use advantages of RF remote control (CE) giants such as Philips are now offering RF are making IR remote controls look increasingly remote control platforms to manufacturers of dated and unappealing in comparison” digital media devices such as music players, TVs, and PCs (see ULP WQ, Autumn 2010, page In operation, RF technology utilized for company, or wireless connectivity standard, 10), and a growing number of universal RF remote control with advanced navigation has a higher adoption of robust, interference combined with IR remotes are being launched requires low latency (for rapid response to immune 2.4GHz transceivers and customized (for example, the M-Remote from Audivo (see user input commands), good data integrity protocols in the wireless PC peripherals sector ULP WQ, Autumn 2010, page 2)). (to minimize the need to resend corrupted than Nordic Semiconductor. (See ULP WQ, As for the base technology, the RF packets), and low power consumption (because Spring 2010, page 9). remote control market will be served by a next-generation remotes are likely to be used The revolution in the way consumers combination of proprietary and standards- more intensively than traditional IR remotes access digital media will only be realized based solutions dependent on the needs of the but will require a similar battery life to meet through the advanced functionality enabled end application. Nordic is well positioned to established consumer expectations). by an RF link. And that revolution looks set to provide both types of RF remote control with Wireless PC peripherals (mice, keyboards, start in 2011. n its proprietary products and forthcoming and joysticks) face these same technical Bluetooth low energy wireless technology challenges yet Nordic has supplied 2.4GHz For more information on the nRF24LE1, go to solutions (see ULP WQ, Winter 2009, page 6). technology to this market since 2002. No other tinyurl.com/5lmcvg

www.nordicsemi.com Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 9 Audience response

ti o n RF-powered audience response system receives positive vote Designing a wireless audience voting system is a tough challenge. Fleetwood found the answer with Nordic’s 2.4GHz technology, as ULP Wireless Quarter reports

A pp li ca udience response systems have found favour as a way to proactively engage a crowd in the activity Athey are watching. These systems encourage the audience to concentrate on the proceedings, provide more accurate feedback than a ‘show of hands’ (because people tend to be influenced by others if they can see how they’ve voted) and allow a presenter to customize the presentation depending on the audience’s response. RF systems have gained favor over older infrared (IR) systems for audience voting because they respond more quickly, offer a bi-directional link (for example, allowing voting results to be instantly displayed on each audience member’s handset), don’t require line- of-sight access, and are much less likely to suffer from signal corruption caused by lots of people using the same units in close proximity. But there are significant challenges when RF-powered audience response systems provide more accurate data than a ‘show of hands’ implementing an audience response system based on RF wireless connectivity. These “A key advantage of Nordic’s technology is that include: ensuring clear transmission of data engineers are free to chose a proven factory- from each handset when hundreds (or even supplied RF protocol or compile their own ” thousands) of people are coincidently using similar units; keeping the cost of each unit voting system is dubbed Ativa. The system transceivers embedded into each of up to 15,500 low; limiting latency so that responses can is based on the interactive Reply WRS8200 uniquely identifiable Ativa WRS8200 wireless be rapidly recorded and displayed; extending wireless keypad that runs from a rechargeable keypads over a range of up to 150 meters. battery life to keep maintenance costs down; lithium polymer battery and employs a large, The Ativa system is controlled by a PC and providing adequate range to suit the types backlit 3.2-inch QVGA color touchscreen software application that integrates with of venue likely to use such a system. that can display fully customizable key/ Microsoft’s PowerPoint presentation button responses for any given interaction or software. This allows presenters or meeting Avoiding interference voting opportunity (see picture top of next page). technicians to quickly create audience “One of the most challenging aspects of getting Text responses can be made via an onscreen polling slides and display the live results to a large-scale audience response system to work QWERTY keyboard or SMS-style buttons, and an audience via a projector or display, and to reliably is that everything hinges on the speed an onscreen slider allows measurement of individual participants via the Ativa keypad’s [bandwidth] and responsiveness [latency] of moment-to-moment responses and moods. own display screen. the wireless link,” explains Pat Moody, VP of Ativa’s wireless connectivity is built on According to Will Buehler, Chief Technology Sales & Marketing for the Electronics Division Nordic Semiconductor’s 2.4GHz ultra low Officer of Fleetwood Group, ensuring that Ativa of Fleetwood Group. “The RF link has to power (ULP) technology. Nordic supplied its operated with minimal latency, high data rates, maintain its integrity even in hostile operating nRF24L01+ transceiver for use in the Ativa and the ability to manage thousands of devices environments where the system has to coexist system’s base station. The base station itself is within a system hinged on Fleetwood’s patented with other active 2.4GHz sources… such as Wi-Fi housed in an enclosure roughly the size of a RF protocols. These protocols determine how and Bluetooth [wireless technology].” regular USB memory stick; this plugs into a the hundreds of transceivers in the system US-based Fleetwood Group’s latest PC USB port from where it can form a secure, communicate without interference from each professional audience response and interactive bi-directional RF link with sister nRF24L01+ other, or other 2.4GHz sources in the vicinity. u

10 Nordic ULP WIRELESS quarter winter 2010 www.nordicsemi.com “The engineering team at Fleetwood recharges in the handsets – an important modified some of our existing proprietary consideration when the system has thousands protocols to meet these demanding of units.” requirements while still providing for long Moody claims Fleetwood took a calculated range communications, extended battery risk by taking on a premium product life, and a small ergonomic unit that suits our development during an economic downturn. customer’s needs,” says Buehler. “It can be difficult to forecast market A key advantage of Nordic’s technology is acceptance when much of the market is that engineers are free to write their own RF looking at lower cost products,” he says. While protocol code (although Nordic will happily Fleetwood offers a full line of low and medium supply a factory protocol such as its proven featured devices, the company believed a high Gazell product to customers that don’t have the end product was necessary and it was the right time or resources to develop their own). This is time to do it. not the case with pre-defined wireless standards The Ativa platform joins Fleetwood’s Reply such as Bluetooth wireless technology and ZigBee range of wireless audience response systems, where the requirement for interoperability which cater to all types of interactive voting severely restricts what the designer can do applications and also employ Nordic’s 2.4GHz with the protocol software. The flexibility transceivers. Fleetwood has shipped over four

bestowed by a proprietary solution allows the million RF keypads to date, and in February BRIEfING TEcHNIcaL customer to truly optimize its product for the 2009, for example, announced that it had just target application that reduces cost, improves secured a US$23m contract to design and build immunity and lowers power consumption. handheld RF keypads for a top US provider of It also allows the customer to differentiate its portable student assessment technology. product from the competition. Onscreen sliders such as the one displayed In addition, the company is exploring allow touchscreen wireless voting keypads several promising applications for medical “We combined our own proprietary protocol like Fleetwood’s Ativa to measure moment-to- with Nordic’s proven hardware and a high moment audience responses and moods and security related use of Ativa. The product performance ARM Cortex processor,” explains design allows the company to customize the Buehler. “The processor links to the Nordic RF Saving on the power system for other applications that require transceiver via its built-in high speed SPI [Serial “There is no room for error in a professional a high-speed flexible wireless link coupled Peripheral Interface]. This combination results voting situation where every vote absolutely with a color touch screen handheld device in a low BoM [Bill of Materials] and ensures must be counted,” continues Buehler. “That’s and chip card reader. n robust, reliable communications with excellent why we optimize our front and back end RF bandwidth while reducing the load on the circuit elements for the Nordic transceiver so For more information on Reply Wireless processor and allowing much of its resource to that it’s able to do what it does best: wake from Audience Response Systems go to www.replysystems. be dedicated to maximizing the user experience a ULP sleep mode almost instantaneously, com. For Fleetwood Group Electronics Division go to on the color touch-screen display.” transmit data as quickly as possible using its www.fleetwood-electronics.com. Buehler says that Wi-Fi traffic is typically 2Mbps air data rate bandwidth, and go straight the biggest obstacle in corporate, educational, back into a 900nA power-down mode. This For more information on Nordic’s nRF24L01+ go and medical institutions. This is where the helps extend battery life and minimizes battery to tinyurl.com/ahd8fj. proprietary RF protocol really comes into its own. “We utilise a frequency hopping scheme that allows us to avoid the portions of the band with high traffic ensuring we maintain reliable communications with minimal latency times.” Fleetwood’s RF protocol employs a patented synchronized polling method and pseudo- random frequency hopping algorithm that incorporates integrated Wi-Fi avoidance features. The Ativa base station ‘sweeps’ the venue, individually polling each keypad of the potentially thousands in use in a particular system within a matter of seconds. If the base station fails to get through to any one keypad, it will rapidly retry on another frequency. An Ativa’s base station plugs into a PC USB added benefit of this approach is that it also port from where it can form a secure, makes the Ativa platform highly resistant bi-directional RF link with up to 15,500 uniquely identifi able wireless keypads to unauthorized eavesdropping or data over a range of up to 150 meters interception. Ativa and Reply are registered trademarks of Fleetwood

www.nordicsemi.com Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 11 EdN asIa One small step for Bluetooth low energy wireless technology By Sean Choi (This item is an extract of a technical article that appeared in EDN Asia, October 2010) Bluetooth low energy technology was designed for applications where Classic Bluetooth technology is not viable because of severe power restraints. All of these pREss aRTIcLEs pREss applications have one thing in common: they incorporate sensors (or other peripheral devices) EDN Asia powered by coin cell batteries sending small amounts of data This article was originally infrequently. This is the first published in EDN Asia. The journal is published by time a ULP wireless technology Canon Communications with guaranteed interoperability has been available to electronics About the author designers and promises to kick start hundreds of new wireless applications. A clue to some of the likely early applications is provided Bluetooth low energy equipped sensors around an airport terminal could by the Bluetooth SIG’s stated constantly broadcast information about their location. A cell phone passing within range could then display that information intention to follow up the publication of Bluetooth Version functionality. This will allow cell The low cost and low 4.0 with the release of profiles for phone makers to offer a security maintenance (because batteries Bluetooth low energy technology – device comprising a Bluetooth require only infrequent changes) including Personal User Interface low energy-powered watch that of Bluetooth low energy sensors Devices (PUIDs) such as watches, periodically communicates with will encourage widespread use in Remote Control, Proximity Alarm, the cell phone. public places. Battery Status, and Heart Rate If the cell phone moves out of One key application could be Sean Choi is Regional Sales Monitor – soon after the release range – and hence can’t contact indoor location (where there is Manager Korea for Nordic of the full specification. Other the watch worn by the user – it no GPS signal) whereby sensors Semiconductor and is based health and fitness monitoring would automatically lock and around a large public building in Seoul profiles such as blood-glucose the watch would emit an alarm. (such as an airport or rail and -pressure, cycle-cadence and This would prevent the cell phone station) constantly broadcast -crank power will follow. being accidentally left behind and information about their This new technology will prove a major deterrent for any location. A Bluetooth low energy extend the reach of the Bluetooth would-be thief. equipped cell phone passing ecosystem dramatically. Let’s The proximity alarm within range could then display take a look at how Bluetooth low application could be extended that information to its owner. energy technology will be used in to a portable PC that locks when Sensors could transmit other just two potential applications: the user moves out of range (and information such as flight times Proximity Alarm and Indoor perhaps unlocks to be ready for and gates, location of amenities, or Location (sometimes referred to as use when the approaching user special offers from nearby shops. n “Indoor GPS”). presses a button on their watch). Dual mode chips are being The application could also be used For more information on Nordic’s adopted by cell phone and as a child safety device where the Bluetooth low energy products, go portable PC makers because child’s watch communicates with to www.nordicsemi.com. For more on they’ll cost only slightly more a parent’s while they remain in Bluetooth low energy technology, go to than Classic Bluetooth technology range with an alarm sounding if www.bluetooth.com/English/Products/ yet offer so much more the child wanders away. Pages/Low_Energy.aspx.

TO SEE THE ARTICLE ONLINE GO TO: http://tinyurl.com/28n75ok

12 Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 www.nordicsemi.com ELEcTRoNIc dEsIGN cHINa RF remotes challenge IR’s crown By Chim Chan (This item is an extract of a technical article that appeared in Electronic Design China, September 2010)

Proprietary transceivers parameters of a wireless link. desktop peripherals such as mice, offer a reliable and short For example, Nordic’s keyboards, and joysticks have development path to RF remote nRF24LE1 2.4GHz ultra low faced for years. control for applications as simple power single chip transceiver Perhaps it’s no coincidence as operating an air conditioning integrates a radio core and mixed that these same requirements unit through to controlling signal 8-bit are shared by a modern a multimedia consumer with flash memory into a 4 by entertainment system, given the pREss aRTIcLEs pREss electronics (CE) product. And 4mm package and is a proven PC’s growing role as the centre Electronic Design China because proprietary transceivers proprietary hardware option for of home entertainment and the only have to communicate RF remote control. use of PC peripherals instead of This article was originally with themselves, they can be But the hardware is only one traditional remotes to control CE published in Electronic designed to specifically meet the part of an effective RF remote equipment. Design China. The journal is published by Global Sources requirements of particular end control. The other part is the It’s notable that of the several applications. (Whereas standards- embedded software protocol technologies competing for a About the author based wireless connectivity has to responsible for managing how the share of the huge market for be designed to be interoperable radio sends and receives data and remote control of CE appliances with a wide range of applications manages environmental factors only one currently has any which introduces inevitable such as interference from other significant penetration into the compromises). For these reasons, 2.4GHz sources operating nearby. wireless PC peripherals, and that’s proprietary solutions have made For a remote control to support Nordic’s 2.4GHz technology. inroads into the RF remote advanced navigation it requires Nordic has been a supplier control sector. low latency (for fast response to the wireless PC peripherals In addition, proprietary to user input), data integrity market since 2002. The company solutions tend to be updated (assured by advanced protocols), is shipping millions of chips per more frequently than standards- and low power consumption month to PC peripheral makers based technologies that are often (because such a remote is likely and its 2.4GHz technology is effectively ‘frozen’ for several to be used more actively than a fast making the inferior 27MHz years until an updated version traditional remote). technology obsolete. n Chim Chan is Regional Sales is approved. Consequently, Manager China for Nordic proprietary products generally Market penetration For more information on Semiconductor and is based outperform standards-based Revealingly, these are exactly Nordic’s nRF24LE1, go to tinyurl. in Hong Kong alternatives in all the key the demands that wireless com/5lmcvg.

Of the technologies competing for a share of the RF remote control market only one has any signifi cant penetration into wireless PC peripherals, and that’s Nordic’s. PHOTO: COURTESY KENSINGTON COURTESY PHOTO:

TO SEE THE ARTICLE ONLINE GO TO: http://tinyurl.com/2alzsrk www.nordicsemi.com Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 13 BLuETooTH LoW ENERGY pRoToTYpING KIT Developing Bluetooth low energy products made easy With a little help, a competent engineer should be able to meet the challenge of implementing a Bluetooth low energy-powered wireless connection

ordic has developed a family of the peripheral device customer application Bluetooth low energy silicon solutions (the nRF8001 µBlue chip doesn’t include an called µBlue. The first device (the onboard microprocessor, reducing size, cost NnRF8001) has already been released and power consumption, and allowing the in sample quantities to developers. To help developer to select their own choice of electronics engineers designing nRF8001- microprocessor). While the nRF8200

TEcHNIcaL BRIEfING TEcHNIcaL based wireless connectivity, the company is based on a cost-effective 8051 has also released the µBlue prototype kit and microprocessor, manufacturers µBlue Software Development Kit (SDK). can use their own choice of This SDK is built around Nordic’s microprocessor if preferred. existing nRFgo development platform. A µBlue module (nRF2731) nRFgo integrates hardware and is then plugged on top of the software tools to provide easy control nRF2735 and incorporates the of the application processor hardware nRF8001 µBlue chip. The device and software through a graphical is connected to the application user interface in nRFgo studio. processor through an SPI Such tools include handling of the interface (widely available on most data in non-volatile memory, test microprocessors on the market modes, power control, internal and offering fast data transfer software configuration and capabilities). (See figure 1.) more. Developers wishing to use their own The µBlue prototype kit choice of application processor have the comprises a peripheral device option to connect this module directly based around the µBlue chipset and a to their own development environment as proprietary Master emulator that allows well. The two connectors on the nRF2731 are the user to develop and test their own Bluetooth standard 10-pin connectors; one is dedicated low energy Slave device applications. to the nRF In System Programmer (ISP) that The hardware platform of the peripheral enables flash memory programming, the device is the nRFgo motherboard (nRF6310) other is dedicated to the application processor that can be used for any product in the SPI interface. company’s transceiver families (either (If the selected application processor doesn’t proprietary or Bluetooth low energy). Watches are a target application for Bluetooth offer an SPI interface it’s still possible to use Consequently, existing customers will find low energy wireless technology a ‘bit-banging’ technique to connect to the working with µBlue chips easier as the µBlue chip. The µBlue SDK includes C language development environment is familiar, while source code for an application processor to new customers will benefit from a market- handle an SPI connection using bit-banging, proven development environment. “Customers will find allowing even the least expensive processor to The nRFgo motherboard offers external be connected to the µBlue chip.) access to the connected device pins as well working with µBlue as simple interfaces such as buttons, LEDs, a chips easier as the A familiar environment UART or even an additional display allowing The nRF2739 master emulator platform offers designers to implement their targeted end- environment is familiar, a fully functional Bluetooth low energy Master product user interfaces. while new customers device and complements the peripheral device. The nRF2735 daughterboard (plugged will benefit from The master emulator is controlled through a on top of the nRF6310) offers an application USB connection to a computer. (See figure 2.) processor, Nordic’s nRF8200, which executes market-proven tools” The development tools allow the engineer to SIG/SAMSUNG BLUETOOTH COURTESY PHOTO: u

14 Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr WINTER 2010 www.nordicsemi.com www.nordicsemi.com concern concern for consumption the critical link loss). With power determine reactivity to a addition these parameters rate and power consumption (in impact the Slave device data transfer are set by the Master device they will interval, directlyslave latency, and supervision timeout product. For example, while the connection the Master device’s behavior to suit thelow end energy specification in order to adapttune some specific parameters of the any code the developer has written previously.the modification or merger of this code withof Nordic sample application source code,environment. and Moreover, this allows the re-useNordic is providing developers with a familiarsoftware development on the Keil tool suite,deployed microprocessors. By basing its deviceIDE; Keil’s product is available for most widely application. come from a demanding Master case scenarios that could to anticipate worst- the designer this tool allows low energy devices, Software development is based on the Keil Bluetooth

Bluetooth

processor), and daughterboard (including an application kit comprises an nRFgo motherboard, Bluetooth low energy transceiver) USB connection to a computer Master device and is controlled through a offers a fully functional Bluetooth low energyFigure 2: A master emulator platform Figure 1: The architecture specific (hardware abstraction) processor other than the nRF8200, as easyonly tothese port the code to an applicationfrom the main application code. It architecture-specific isroutines are independent therefore structured so that application processor All source code is in C language and routines have to be modified to suit the selected processor. µ Blue prototype development µ Blue module (including The nRF8001 integrates process is much simplified. (running on the nRF8001), the qualification corrupt the pre-qualified Nordic software stackpossibility that the application software can energy Host specification. Because there is by noa misunderstanding of the and tested rapidly without any errors caused specification from developers. knowledge of the removing the burden of acquiring intimate Bluetooth low energy specification details, interface is designed to simplify the complexthrough a simple software interface. This before runtime. The nRF8001 is then controlledprocessor, but are downloaded to the nRF8001(upper layer) Profiles reside on the application stack including Host and Link Layers. a The qualified much less of a challenge. interoperable ULP wireless connectivity is prototype kit, access to the exciting world of RF design will never be trivial, with the µBlue and manuals delivered in the kit. Although applications by using extensive source code µBlue in their system solution and write new from other suppliers, to quickly integrate well-known tools, either from Nordic or low energy solution. Developers can re-use immediate testing of Nordic’s µBlue hardware and software suites to enable Slave product. data and check the correct behavior of Developerstheir can use this tool to read willor writeappear through a Service Discovery tool.of µBlue right ‘out-of-the-box’. Any new Profile easily test the are delivered with the SDK so it’s possibleNordic. to The full source code and binary Bluetooth files The µBlue SDK is supplied complete with Supplied with profiles Consequently, profiles can thus be developed The µBlue prototype kit offers complete low energy Profiles developed by Bluetooth low energy software Bluetooth low energy capabilities Nordic ULP WirELESS qUartEr Bluetooth low energy n energy’s power Coin cells meet Bluetooth low Bluetooth low demands Bluetooth

WINTER 20

15 10 15 TEcHNIcaL BRIEfING The People & Faces behind Nordic Semiconductor

Barry Hawley Kjartan Furset JOB TITLE: JOB TITLE: rEGioNaL SaLES MaNaGEr StratEGic aPPLicatioN MaNaGEr JOINED NORDIC: JOINED NORDIC: aUGUSt 2010 JaNUarY 1996 BASED: BASED: WoodBUrY, MiNNESota, U.S. HoNG KoNG, cHiNa INTERESTS INCLUDE: INTERESTS INCLUDE: FaMiLY, FiSHiNG, SWiMMiNG, SKiiNG, GoLF, SaiLiNG, GoiNG oUt icE SKatiNG

Hi, my name is Barry Hawley and since August this year I’ve been Hi, my name is Kjartan Furset and I’m a Strategic Application Nordic’s Regional Sales Manager for Central U.S. and Canada. Manager for Nordic based in Asia. I spent 15 years in Nordic working My career in the semiconductor industry began in 1989 as an my way up to my current position from a start as an Analog Designer Electrical Design Engineer for Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas. in and then as an Application/Senior Application Engineer. I later moved into technical sales and customer support as a Field That means I’m one of those Nordic people who’s meant to know Applications Engineer for Bell Microproducts and later QuickLogic. In everything about anything technical. It’s a perception that at times I 2000, I moved to Minnesota to become the Regional Sales Manager find hard to live up to but am grateful to have had the opportunity to for QuickLogic, and later ChipX, before joining Nordic. earn (even though it can mean a few late nights for a lot of promised My main role is to liaise with beers that can take awhile to materialize: you know who you are!). new and existing customers, “As I’m very much a One of my main roles nowadays is to monitor new application and to provide support for practical, ‘people’s and market trends and predict what this will mean in terms of future them through their entire person’ one of the things requirements for next generation Nordic products. I really enjoy this specification and design cycle side of my work as it means I get to study a lot of different market – from advising on component I really enjoy about segments and technologies while getting really close to Nordic’s selection, through helping with my job is working with key and emerging market customers worldwide in order to better technical support, to keeping customers in the field understand how their end products will rely on our technology. customers fully updated on That said, my ‘day job’ is far from academic; I’m still required to factory chip production and and learning about the get involved with supporting delivery schedules. different commercial and customers – especially new ones, “But the challenge was Because I’m local, my technological challenges which can be very exciting but clear the moment I customers know they can they face.” also highly challenging at times. moved to Hong Kong in discuss any questions or But the challenge was clear concerns they have at any time with someone they know, who is in a the moment I moved from to summer 2005. I arrived similar time zone, and who understands their application. Hong Kong in summer 2005. I to an empty flat; got a As I’m very much a practical, ‘people’s person’ one of the things I arrived to an empty flat; got a bed and wardrobe the really enjoy about my job is working with customers in the field and bed and wardrobe the first day, learning about the different commercial and technical challenges but nothing else for five weeks first day, and nothing they face. I’m often pleasantly surprised at how ingeniously Nordic’s as I was then permanently away else for five weeks as technology is used to solve a problem or plain help people live more with customers. then permanently away interesting and better quality lives: Nordic really is at the leading Thankfully life has become with customers.” edge of the wireless revolution and it’s an exciting place to work. much easier for me today as we That said, most of my customers do come from fairly well- now share the customer support load amongst a much larger (and established ULP wireless product and application categories ranging truly excellent) technical support team in Norway and Hong Kong. from consumer-type outdoor sports, health, and fitness products, But I wouldn’t have changed anything. I’ve been with Nordic a long through to medical devices and technology, to HVAC controls, time now and it has been a true joy to have been part of its success. communications, and industrial control and automation (including Without all the great ambition and company-wide dedication, the agriculture which is a big local sector in my region of the U.S.). continual new challenges, fun, frustrations, and successes along the Outside of work I like spending time with my wife and two young way, it would have been a much duller story for me. children aged 10 and 12. We spend our summers enjoying the Outside of work as an overseas Norwegian I do miss my skiing outdoors – including fishing, swimming, boating, and relaxing by a having moved to a part of the world where the closest you get to camp fire. And in the winter, I like to downhill ski and ice skate – which snow is when opening your freezer. So instead I’ve developed a new- are all quite Norwegian activities and probably did no harm in helping found love for playing golf, and have recently started sailing. And, of me get my current job at Nordic! course, the night life in Hong Kong isn’t too bad either! B ry H ley Kj rt  Fr

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