Dynastream Innovations' nRF52 Series-Based ANT And Bluetooth Low Energy Modules Fast-Track Wireless Sports & Fitness And Broader IoT Applications
Long-term Nordic Semiconductor design partner’s D52Q ANT module employs next-generation nRF52832 SoC to offer manufacturers a comprehensive, certified RF solution for complex dual-protocol wireless products
Ultra low power (ULP) RF specialist Nordic Semiconductor ASA recently announces that Cochrane, Alberta-based Dynastream Innovations has selected Nordic’s next generation nRF52832 multiprotocol System-on-Chip (SoC) for its D52Q ANT module. The D52Q module is a certified product offering manufacturers a ‘drop-in’ RF solution providing concurrent ANT and Bluetooth low energy (formerly known as Bluetooth Smart) RF software protocol operation. The module enables customers with limited RF design expertise to quickly develop wireless products.
The D52Q module is designed to enable a wide range of sports & fitness and Internet of Things (IoT) connected products where small size, low power consumption, performance, and range are key operational factors. The module takes advantage of the nRF52832 SoC’s 64MHz, 32-bit ARM Cortex-M4F CPU which made the device the most powerful single-chip ANT/Bluetooth low energy solution commercially available when it was launched in 2015. The D52Q module is Bluetooth 4.2 (the latest version of the standard) qualified and carries certifications for operation in major markets including the U.S., Canada, the European Economic Area, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Korea.
The D52Q module is available in two variants, the D52QD2M4IA and D52QD2M4IA-A:
- The D52QD2M4IA is a 20 by 20-mm module with up to 30 GPIOs offering an upgrade path to this more capable and power efficient ANT/Bluetooth low energy module for existing ANT-module based (fitness equipment) products - as well as being a general purpose solution for emerging IoT commercial control applications;
- The D52QD2M4IA-A is a 20 by 20-mm module with an onboard three-axis accelerometer and up to 24 GPIOs that enables power- and cost-efficient ANT implementations of high-node count motion based control/monitor products for IoT segments. A smaller 9.8 by 14-mm form factor module, the D52M, will join the D52 series product line in Q4 2016.
The D52Q module uses Nordic Semiconductor’s sixth generation of ultra low power (ULP) wireless connectivity solutions, the nRF52 Series. The nRF52832 SoC’s ARM CPU delivers up to 60 percent more generic processing power, offering 10 times the Floating Point performance and twice the Digital Signal Processing (DSP) performance compared to competing solutions. The integrated 2.4GHz multiprotocol radio offers ANT or Bluetooth low energy operation individually or concurrently, depending on the selected SoftDevice (RF protocol software ‘stack’) with -96 dB RX sensitivity and 5.5 mA peak RX/TX currents. The nRF52832 also features 512 kB Flash memory and 64 kB RAM, and an NFC™ tag for consumer-friendly “Touch-to-Pair”.
“The new D52Q module provides our customers with one of the most advanced dual-protocol ANT and Bluetooth low energy module products with industrial temperature range on the market,” says Mike Rounding, Product Manager at ANT Wireless, a subsidiary of Dynastream Innovations. “Manufacturers and developers depend on the flexibility of the ANT protocol to build integrated ecosystems such as ANT+ in sport and fitness, and for broader high-node count, battery-operated mesh applications in the IoT. D52Q modules are an ideal platform to fast-track a product into these markets.”
“The D52 ANT module is the latest in a long line of products resulting from a design partnership stretching back over a decade,” says Alf Helge Omre, Business Development Manager with Nordic Semiconductor. “The combination of ANT Wireless’ highly power efficient RF software protocol and Nordic Semiconductor’s class-leading Systems-on-Chip has encouraged manufacturers to use the devices in tens of millions of products across the globe. This new module represents a perfect solution for developers requiring a ‘drop-in’ solution easily able to support the most complex ANT wireless applications while at the same time freeing them from the complexities of RF engineering and compliance testing. Simultaneous Bluetooth low energy support brings additional wireless connectivity flexibility.”
The D52Q module is designed to be used as a drop-in replacement for Dynastream’s AP2, C7, and N5 M4 form factor products, easing migration. A starter kit (D52DK1) for evaluation and product development is available.
The nRF52832 SoC-based D52Q module will feature in workshops and training at the 2016 ANT Wireless Symposium taking place October 4 to 7, 2016 in Banff, Canada.
Source: Nordic Semiconductor