Nordic Semiconductors latest Wireless Ultra Low Power publication.
www.nordicsemi.com
This issue is filled with yet again all the myriad of possibilities that BTLE and ANT can provide. The sky is definitely endless. Integra Systems, Inc. is working on several hardware/software applications for multiple vertical markets. We have worked with Nordic before on a very unique medical device application utilizing www.thisisant.com
Nordic Semiconductor's ultra-low power (ULP) wireless solutions support the latest demands of healthcare peripherals, specifically those that require smartphone connectivity by offering:
- Over-The-Air Device Firmware Update (OTA-DFU)
- Ultra-low power consumption – Years of battery life running from a single coin cell
- Multiprotocol SoCs - Single chip solutions capable of running more than one protocol on-chip including Bluetooth low energy and ANT
- Pin compatible SoCs - Pin compatible SoCs across Bluetooth Smart, ANT, and 2.4 GHz enables you to make one PCB design for a range of products
- Protocol/Application independence - The nRF51 series unique software architecture enables you to develop, compile, and test your application separately from the embedded protocol stack.
- Multi-vendor interoperability – Seamless connectivity to existing ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart systems
- Mobile phone connectivity – Seamless connectivity to mobile phones with built-in ANT+ or Bluetooth Smart.
- Small size– The combination of compact packaging options and support for tiny coin cell batteries supports the smallest wireless designs from watches down to key tags/fobs
OTA-DFU
The nRF51 Series are flash-based SoCs, as such they represent the most flexible solution available. A key feature of the nRF51 Series and their associated software architecture and S-Series SoftDevices is the possibility for Over-The-Air Device Firmware Update (OTA-DFU). See fig. 1. This allows firmware updates to be issued and downloaded to products in the field via the cloud. This enables OEMs to fix bugs and introduce new features to products that are already out in the marketplace. This brings added security and flexibility to product development when using the nRF51 Series SoCs.