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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