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Dec 24, 2015
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startside
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Nordic Semiconductor
2.4GHz Ultra-Low RF Power SolutionsRutronik, BeNeLux 24/25-11-2009
Asbjørn Fossmark
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Agenda
Nordic Semiconductor Intro
Nordic ULP RF Concept
Nordic 2.4GHz ULP Device Fast Facts
nRFGO Development platform
nRF + Gazelle Protocol RF Development Solution
ANT & ANT+
Bluetooth LE & Future Developments
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Nordic Semiconductor
Fast Facts
• Established 26 yrs• Global presence, offices in Europe, Americas
& Asia• Sold over 70 million devices in 2008• Global leader in 2.4GHz ULP-RF market• Initial partner with Nokia for Bluetooth Low
Energy SIG
# devices sold
010
2030
40
5060
7080
90
100
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Partners
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What is ultra low power wireless?
Low power wireless Battery powered applications
•AA or AAA
•Lithium Ion rechargeable
Days – months of battery lifetime
Ultra low power wireless Battery powered applications
•Coin cell
•AA or AAA
Months – years battery lifetime
(LE)
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Coin cell battery operationPeak current requirements
• Max 20mA peak total
• 180mAh total capacity
CR 2032 Coin cell
Nor
dic
nRF2
4L01
+
13.5mA Zi
gbee
(TI C
C243
0)
Blue
toot
h
(CSR
BC4
)
36mA
27mA
Low power
Ultra low power
TI C
C250
0
21mA
Cypr
ess
Wirel
ess
USB
LP
25mA
20mA
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What can we learn from teens?Golden rules of ultra low power wireless
Rule 1: Do as little as possible
Rule 2: If you have to do something, do it quick and get back to rest.
Do’s and don’ts Don'ts
•DSSS
•Low data rate (< 500kbps)
•Large overheads
• Synchronous comm’s
Do’s
•Smart protocol
•Higher data rates (2Mbps)
•Minimize overhead
•Semi or Asynchonous comms
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Nordic RF Solutions Concept
RF Silicon
RF Silicon
Development Tools
Development Tools
Reference Designs
Reference Designs
Software Software
RF Silicon
Ultra low power proprietary
- Stand Alone Transceivers
- Embedded Transceivers
Ultra low power Bluetooth
- Single Chip Radio
- Embedded Host Radio
Software
Proprietary software stacks
- Application specific
- Used in reference design
- Gazelle protocol
ULP-BT software stacks
- For embedded systems
- Hosted and hostless applications
Reference Designs
Target application reference
Production ready
Qualified
Development Tools
Development Kits
Evaluation Studio
- PC software for development kits
Software Development kits
- For embedded radios only
Production Test Kits
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Strong portfolio of RF components for the ISM band
nRF905 433/868/915MHz transceiver
nRF9E5 433/868/915MHz transceiver with embedded MCU and ADC
nRF24L01+ 2.4GHz Ultra Low Power (ULP) transceiver
Ultra-low cost and power with MultiCeiver technology supporting up to six simultaneous wireless devices
nRF24LU1+ 2.4GHz ULP transceiver single chip (RF + USB MCU + Flash)
Full-speed USB, microcontroller, AES Encryption and 16Kbyte flash memory enabling ultra-compact USB dongles for wireless peripherals
nRF24LE1 2.4GHz ULP transceiver single chip (RF + MCU + Flash)
Low cost transceivers paired with an industry Enhanced 8051 core, and leading peripherals to create the world's first complete low cost SoCs for global
nRF24AP2 2,4GHz transceiver with embedded ANT protocol
Ultra-low power 2.4GHz transceiver for wireless communication with embedded ANT protocol for coin cell to coin cell operation for years
of operation. 8 channel and 1 channel device .
nRF24Z1 2.4GHz Audio Streamer
SoC for CD quality audio streaming lossless16-bit, 48-kHz audio
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nRF24L01+ Platform Radio
Key features
• 2.4 GHz Transceiver
• 80 channels available
• Superior co-existence performance
• Supported air data-rates
- 2 Mbps (-82dBm sensitivity)
- 1 Mbps (-85 dBm sensitivity)
- 250 kbps (-94 dBm sensitivity)
• Enhanced Shockburst
• Fully air compatible with previous 2.4GHz Nordic transceivers
Reference Designs
Software Development
Tools
RF Silicon
RF Silicon
40 bit address
- Unique address
- Shared address
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nRF24L01+ Platform Radio
Key features
• 0dBm TX output power = 11.3mA
• Receive current = 13mA
• Standby current = 26μA
• Power down current = 0.9μA
Reference Designs
Software Development
Tools
RF Silicon
RF Silicon
2032 coin cell Total capacity
= 180mA/H
Tx= 11.3mA
Power down = 0.9μA
Battery performance is a function of time spent in power down mode
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0.0
5.0
10.0
15.0
20.0
25.0
30.0
35.0
40.0
45.0
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000
Report rate [ms]
Ave
rag
e cu
rren
t co
nsu
mp
tio
n [
uA
]
The nRF24L01+ A micro ampere ultra low power wireless connectivity solution
Assumptions: 2 Mbps PTX: 1 Transaction per report, 1 transaction is 5 byte payload TX + Ack RX. System is in power down between reports
Average radio current consumption [uA]vs. report rate [ms]
message rate = 1 secs
5μA
180mA 2032 = 10 yrs
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nRF24LE1Same core – different package and I/O count
nRF24LE1 7x7mm 48-pin 29 generic I/O pins I/O intensive applications
nR
F2
4LE
1-F
16Q
48
nR
F2
4LE
1-F
16Q
32
nR
F2
4LE
1-F
16Q
24
nRF24LE1 5x5mm 32-pin 15 generic I/O pins Medium I/O count applications
nRF24LE1 4x4mm 24-pin 7 generic I/O pins Low I/O count application
Flexible SoC solution based on nRF24L01+ core
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nRF24LE1
• Optimized for ULP, low cost applications
• Incorporates best-in-class nRF24L01+ transceiver
• 3 Datarate modes – 2Mbs, 1Mbs, 250kbs
• 16kB Flash + OTP variants available (flexibility/cost)
• 32kHz RTC
• Extensive power management + timing options
• 128-bit AES encryption engine
• 10-bit ADC
• 3 GPIO variants (7,15,29)
• 400nA sleep mode
• PWM
Flash-based development, low-cost OTP production
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nRF24LE1 - Optimized platform for RF protocol stacksProcessing power, memory and special peripherals
nRF24L01+ Transceiver
MCU( Up to 16MHz)
RF Protocol
Application Layer
Flash memory( 16k)
16 MHz RC
16 MHz XO
32 kHz RC
32 kHz XO
RTC
Timers
AES Acc
RNG
HE. Flash
Power Mng.
Hardware data link security
Generation of pairing ID, security key, frequency hopping tables, retransmission delays
Data flash
1k SRAM.
Storage of pairing info, security keys, hopping tables and protocol state
Wide selection of power saving modes for lowest power consumption
Fast system start after “sleep”
Medium accuracy timing for synchronous event
High accuracy timing for low report rate systems
Processing power and memory supports advanced RF protocol
stacks
Power Consumption
Co-existence Performance
Security Performance Features
High-performance
Ultra low power 2.4 GHz transceiver
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The nRF24LU1+ Enabling ultra compact USB dongles for wireless peripherals
nRF24LU1+, single chip USB solution integrating:
• nRF24L01+ compatible 2.4GHz 2 Mbps transceiver
• Powerful 8051 compatible microcontroller (32kB Flash)
• Feature rich Full-speed USB (v2.0) device controller
• AES encryption engine (128 bit)
• Built-in drivers for seamless OS compatibility
Total 2.4GHz USB solution
• Ultra-compact USB dongle & antenna layout files available
• Complete application link solution:
- nRF24LU1+
- nRF24LE1
- Gazelle protocol
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Development platformOverview
nRFgo Starter Kit (nRF6700)
nRF24LE1 Development Kit, nRF24LU1+ Development Kit, BT-LE Development Kit (2010)
+
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Remote Control Reference Design
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nRFready Desktop: Remote control
Key features:
• Multi-application remote control
• 25 buttons
• Joystick
• PCB antenna
• Ultra low power
• CR2032 coin cell battery = 1 to 5 yrs operation
nRF device:
• nRF24LE1 F16Q32
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nRFready Desktop: USB dongle
Key features:
• Ultra miniature USB dongle
- 20x12x4.5 mm
• Full mechanical design
• 2 layer, single side mounted PCB
• PCB antenna
• 15 m range at 2Mbs
• USB v2.0, HID class
• USB suspend with remote wake up
• Up to 5 device HW support
nRF device: nRF24LU1+
• 32kB flash
• USB v2.0
• 8051 compatible MCU
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Gazell™ Protocol Solution
Gazell Protocol
• Lack of protocol expertise with application developers
• Enabling an RF link is not the same as a stable and ’robust link’
• Need for lightweight protocol for low-cost small MCU operation
• Easy maintenance and support
Protocol requirements
• Efficient power management for battery operated applications
• Smart frequency agility to avoid interference sources (WiFi, Bluetooth, other proprietary)
• Enable simultaneous multiple device links
• Easy maintenance and support
• Handle performance issues at 2.4GHz such as fading
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Gazell™ Link Layer Basic ConceptsRoles and network topology
Up to 6-to-1 star network topology
• One Host
• Up to 6 Devices
Bi-directional communication
Inherently Asynchronous operation Devices are initiators and independent
• Devices always initiate communication
• No sync between devices
Gazell Host
Gazell Device 1
Device 2
Device 3
Device 4
Device 5
Device 6
CH1 CH2
CH3CH4
2.4 2.480
80 channels
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Gazell™RF protocol stack
Complete RF protocol stack for nRF24xxx devices
• Developed and available as open source C code for the nRF24LE1 and LU1+ MCU platform
Gazell™ Link layer:
• Best in class co-existence performance
• Ultra low power consumption
• Low latency & low power modes in host
• 4 communication modes in device
• High report rates possible < 4ms
• Multi device network support
Pairing module:
• Static and dynamic pairing
• Proximity pairing Device profiles (pr. jan09):
• Mouse, Keyboard, Remote control
2.4GHz PHY
Enhanced ShockBurst™ baseband engine
Gazell™ Link Layer
Application
Pairing Module
DeviceProfiles
Gaze
ll
™
Pro
toco
l Sta
ck
Gazell API
No
rdic
2
.4G
Hz
Tran
sc
eive
r U
ser
Defin
ed
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Nordic ULP RF Solutions
Gazelle protocol:
The Gazelle protocol has been designed to carry data efficiently and reliably within the 2.4GHz band, it is flexible and incorporates the following features:
• Excellent power management
• Frequency hopping to avoid collisions
• Variable data rates upto 300kbs
• Variable latency from 500 messages/sec to messages in minutes or hours
• Small memory usage, approx 8k RAM/ROM
• Written in ‘C’ very easy to understand and interface
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ANT & ANT+The industry leading ultra low power network protocol
Ultra low power consumption Years of battery lifetime on a standard coin cell battery
Highly resource optimized Cost efficient chip implementation
Low cost BOM
Network flexibility and scalability Supports simple and advanced network
Multivendor interoperability with ANT+ Enables connectivity between devices
from different vendors using ANT+ profiles
Proven Millions of Nodes already shipped
Easy to use – Feature rich No RF protocol expertise required
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The ANT protocol stack
Networking Pairing Interference avoidance Logical channels Data reliability
ANT Core stack
Host interface (synchronous / asynchronous)
ANT+ Profiles
Ultra low power 2.4GHz PHY
Relaying
User application
ANT File Share
Multivendor interoperability Available for ANT+ Alliance members
( C source code)
• Relay node extension• Reliable data download
( C-source code)
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ANT target markets
Health Management Programs
Display ManufacturersBike ComputerSport WatchPDACell PhonePCFitness Console
Fitness EquipmentTreadmillsSpin Bikes Rowing MachinesWeight MachinesErgo metersSteppers
Shared communication between portable and fixed displays a key to continuous data collection and activity tracking
Sport Sensors (ANT+ Definitions)Heart rateSpeed and distanceWheel CadenceBike SpeedBike speed and CadenceWeight ScaleBike Power
latest ANT+ definitionsBody TempVO2Tire PressureGear PositionAltitudeRadar
Health SensorsBlood GlucoseBlood PressureActivity / PedometerBody TempCalorimeterVO2SPO2ECGWeight Scale
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ANT vs. ANT+
Protocol-wise, ANT+ is on top of ANT
ANT+
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Is Single Frequency a valid approach?
• Personal Area Networks have very short range connections.
• Most interference is not CW (constant wave).
• Single frequency avoidance techniques are still required in multi-frequency schemes.
• Wireless is a lossy medium, look at MER not feature sets.
But does it work?
• Typical sport sensor applications see MER of less than 2%.
• The latest generation ANT products can support up to 300 1Hz
transmitters in proximity on the same frequency.
• Over 5 million nodes shipped!
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The flexibility of ANT
Power VS Data Integrity
Authenticated link
(ANT data type)Broadcast Acknowledged
Interference avoidance
Single frequency Frequency hopping
Data security No encryption AES128 encryption
Increased Data Integrity
Decreased Power Consumption
Compared to competitive solutions, ANT will always be significantly lower power for the same data rate and level of data integrity.
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The nRF24AP2Second generation ANT™ single chip solutions
1-channel nRF24AP2(nRF24AP2-1CH)
8-channel nRF24AP2(nRF24AP2-1CH)
1 ANT Channel – Ideal for sensors 8 ANT Channels – Ideal for hubs
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ANT Alliance members
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µBlue™ Single mode Bluetooth low energy solution
update
Disclaimer:
The images of trademarks and product designs illustrated in this presentation should not be understood to imply any level of commitment or implementation plans by respective owners thereof. Instead, the images are used to illustrate the potential use cases of the technology. This presentation, Disclaimer and the images herein, or any part thereof, should not be used publicly at any time without the explicit written consent by respective owners. ANT, ANT+ and SensRcore are Trademarks of Dynastream Corporation. The Bluetooth word mark and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
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Dual Mode / Single ModeTwo implementation options
Dual Mode
• Combines BR/EDR and LE Bluetooth on a single chip
• Minimum delta cost vs. BR/EDR only
• Use anywhere where BR/EDR is used today
Mobile phones Laptop PCs
Desktop PCs
Single Mode
• Bluetooth low energy only
• The true ultra low power implementation
• Coin cell battery operation
• New class of devices
Sports and fitness
Remote controls
Watches
+ + +
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RoadmapFirst generation µBlue™
nRF8001 Single chip Bluetooth low energy
Pure slave
Single mode slave solutions
Single mode master solutions
Late 2009 2010 -
nRF8200 low energy application
microcontroller controller
Applications Watches
Remote controls
Mobile phone accessories
Sports sensors
Healthcare sensors
Automation and control
nRF8011 Single chip Bluetooth low energy
Pure Master
nRF8012 Single chip Bluetooth low energy
Multilink Master + Slave Applications
Sports Watches
CE Equipment
Sensors hubs
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µBlue™A true coin cell Bluetooth low energy solution
• Single mode Bluetooth® low energy slave solution
• Fully integrated Phy, Link Controller and Host
• 13.5mA peak current
• Down to 17µA average current with 1s connection interval
• Complete solution with µBlue SDK
• 5x5mm QFN package nRF8001
Prototype samples(Selected customer)
Qualified samples(Bluetooth low energy v1.0)
Q1 2010 October 2009
Mass production
Q2 2010
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True ultra low power operation
Peak currents
Active( Linear regulator)
13.5mA
Standby (32k XO) 3uA
Deep sleep 500nA
Connected mode average currents(Linear regulator, SCA = MCA = 50ppm, 168 bit packet length)
2s interval 10µA
1s interval 17µA
250ms interval 55µA
Advertising mode average currents(Linear regulator, SCA = MCA = 50ppm, 216 bit packet length, all three advertising channels, connectable)
2s interval 29µA
1s interval 56µA
250ms interval 110µA
Coin cell battery operation
• 13.5mA peak w/ linear reg.
• Headroom for application
1 year+ battery lifetime
• Standard coin cell CR2032(220mAh)
• 24/7 operation
• 1s connection interval
• 17µA average current
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µBlue™Important considerations
Challenges:
• Likely to become prevalent in phones 2011-2012
• Bluetooth will represent a more involved development effort than proprietary solution
• 70k USD typically to fully qualify as a final Bluetooth product
• Device implementation of Bluetooth most suited to larger volume applications
Solutions:
• Bluetooth-LE modules may represent a better cost/risk solution for smaller volume applications
• Nordic has begun working with module makers to ensure this solution is available
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Nordic Technical Support & Assistance
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OBTAINING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Procedure:
• Goto: http://www.nordicsemi.no/sup_com/pro.php
• Make a bookmark or favorite of web address
• Entire all fields fully
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OBTAINING TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Procedure:
• Fill out all fields, including distributor being used
• Any attached files must be zipped files
• Write a detailed description of issue to enable engineers to assist you in the best manner possible
• Remember to hit send button when completed
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Nordic Semiconductor
2.4GHz Ultra-Low RF Power SolutionsRutronik, BeNeLux 24/25-11-2009
Asbjørn Fossmark