Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT


Bluetooth Smart chip

4 April 2012 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

Nordic Semiconductor’s new μBlue nRF8002 system-on-chip (SoC) provides a low-cost, low-power solution for Bluetooth Smart wireless tags and other accessories such as bracelets, pendants, key chains, small toys and armbands.

To add the μBlue nRF8002 to a product design demands no specialist understanding of Bluetooth Smart wireless technology or any embedded firmware development, according to the manufacturer.

Using a Nordic nRFgo-compatible nRF8002 development kit, developers can design Bluetooth Smart tags and accessories using a simple graphical user interface that allows them to go no deeper than configuring the built-in application layer and mapping inputs and outputs to external components such as buttons, LEDs and buzzers. The development kit even includes a small coin cell-powered tag design example that can be used for development, prototyping and testing.

The nRF8002 is supplied in a compact 5 x 5 mm QFN package and includes a fully-qualified Bluetooth v4.0 low energy protocol stack, a highly configurable application layer, and built-in support for a range of Bluetooth v4.0 profiles including: Find Me, Proximity, Alert Notifications and Battery Status..

The Find Me profile allows users to pair small – but commonly misplaced – everyday objects with their Bluetooth v4.0 smartphone in order to locate either from the other. In a similar way to how people often phone their misplaced cellphones to make them ring and easy to find, a small nRF8002-based Bluetooth Smart tag attached to a keychain, for example, can feature an audible alarm that can be activated if the keys are misplaced by pressing a button on a smartphone. Alternatively a misplaced smartphone could be made to ring or alarm by pressing a button on the tag.

The Proximity profile adds further out-of-range functionality to the Find Me profile to allow users to pair valuable everyday Bluetooth v4.0 objects (eg, smartphones and computers) with, for example, a wireless tag so that it alarms or securely locks the valued item if the user and item are separated by more than a specified distance (eg, due to the user leaving the office, potentially leaving the item behind at a public place, or the item being stolen).

Alternatively, the Proximity profile can also be used to automatically activate (unlock) a smartphone or computer when the user is within a specified distance (so saving the hassle and security risk of having to enter unlock pass codes manually).

The Alert Notification profile allows users to be notified of specific events happening on a paired Bluetooth v4.0 device. This means, for example, an nRF8002-based sports armband could be set to vibrate if the user receives an incoming call from a specific person while working out at the gym or running outdoors.

The Battery Power profile enables users to be given low-battery warnings. This means a Bluetooth v4.0 smartphone could alert users of the need to change the battery in any of their paired Bluetooth Smart wireless accessories – from heart-rate belts and foot pods through to remote controls, wireless mice and keyboards.

For more information contact Andrew Hutton, RF Design, +27 (0)21 555 8400, [email protected], www.rfdesign.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE co-processor
Altron Arrow Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
STMicroelectronics has released its ST67W611M1, a low-power Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE combo co-processor module.

Read more...
Improving accuracy of outdoor devices
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
In a real-world environment, accessing a direct satellite signal is not always possible, and it cannot be relied upon as the only solution to provide a device with accurate location at all times.

Read more...
New 3dB hybrid couplers
Electrocomp Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Designed to facilitate the continued evolution of high-frequency wireless systems in various market segments, the new DB0402 3dB 90° hybrid couplers provide repeatable high-frequency performance compatible with automated assembly.

Read more...
Next-level Software Defined Radio
IOT Electronics Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Great Scott Gadgets has announced the HackRF Pro, a powerful evolution of its popular Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform designed for engineers and enthusiasts.

Read more...
High-performance Zigbee and BLE module
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The KCMA32S from Quectel boasts an ARM Cortex-M33 processor with a frequency of up to 80 MHz, and supports Zigbee 3.0, BLE 5.3 and BLE mesh.

Read more...
Championing local PCB manufacturing
Master Circuits Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Master Circuits, founded in 1994 by Peter Frankish in Durban, was born from the vision to meet the growing local demand for quick-turnaround printed circuit boards in South Africa.

Read more...
How IoT-driven smart data helps businesses stay ahead
Trinity IoT Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
With around 19 billion IoT devices globally, embedded in everything from machinery to vehicles to consumer products, reliable data is plentiful.

Read more...
IoT-optimised LTE Cat 1 bis module
iCorp Technologies Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
Quectel’s EG915K-EU is an LTE Cat 1 bis wireless communication module specially designed for M2M and IoT applications.

Read more...
Chip provides concurrent dual connectivity
EBV Electrolink Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT
The IW693 from NXP is a 2x2 dual-band, highly integrated device that provides concurrent dual Wi-Fi 6E + Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity, supporting four different modes.

Read more...
Nordic Semiconductor acquires Memfault
RF Design News
With this acquisition, Nordic has launched its first complete chip-to-cloud platform for lifecycle management of connected products.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved