BUILDING THE BBC MICRO:BIT - COVER STORY SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT - NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR
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quarter 2 | summer 2016
Cover story
Building the
BBC micro:bit
Eddystone strengthens
beacon security
What’s next for
semiconductors?
SPECIAL
SUPPLEMENT
A decade of
ultra low power
wireless
2006 to 2016
Opinion QUARTER 2 | SUMMER 2016
Geir Langeland COVER STORY
Building the
BBC micro:bit
Eddystone strengthens
beacon security
What’s next for
semiconductors?
Internet of Things promises
SPECIAL
SUPPLEMENT
A decade of
ultra low power
wireless
2006 to 2016
to democratize connectivity
The BBC micro:bit is now in
the hands of a future generation
of engineers
T
he success of a company depends on things like skilled staff, visionary management, investment
in R&D, and of course, products that people want, plus a little luck. I’m not suggesting that Nordic ULP Wireless Q is published
Semiconductor is perfect, like other companies we’ve made some wrong turns, but over the last on behalf of Nordic
decade we have got many of those success factors about right. That’s propelled the company Semiconductor by Ecritech
from a healthy, niche supplier of proprietary ultra low power (ULP) wireless technology to the forefront of www.ecritech.com
the Bluetooth low energy segment.
Editor
To coincide with the tenth anniversary of ULP Wireless Q, first published back in June 2006 (just as
Steven Keeping
Nordic was teaming up with Nokia and other enterprising firms to form an alliance to develop a e-mail: steven@ecritech.com
smartphone-friendly form of ULP wireless called Wibree, the predecessor of Bluetooth low energy) this
Assistant Editor
edition includes a special eight-page anniversary supplement looking back over that decade. Andrew Woolls-King
But in an increasingly competitive world there’s little time for reminiscence and today the company is e-mail: andrew@ecritech.com
charting a course to become an important player in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector. We’re looking
News Editor
beyond the hype that talks about connecting 10, 20 or even 50 billion ‘things’ to the cellular network, the Chris Williams
conventional Internet and each other, to come up with answers to the formidable engineering problems e-mail: chris@ecritech.com
that need to be solved before the IoT becomes reality. Such is the magnitude of the challenge that it will Art Editor
require a collaborative effort between many companies spanning several technology sectors including Tim Plummer
semiconductors, network infrastructure, and Cloud computing platforms. Nordic hopes to play a e-mail: production@ecritech.com
significant role. Image Editor
That’s not to say the company is only focused on the big projects. One of the promises of the IoT is that Neale Hobday
it promises to democratize connectivity far beyond even that achieved by today’s Internet. Soon, for just a e-mail: production@ecritech.com
few dollars, even the most inexperienced maker or hobbyist will be able to make their project ‘smart’ by Print & Distribution
adding a Bluetooth low energy wireless connection. This is not a dream; in this issue (see page 16), for Printech Europe
example, you can read about the Arduino Primo, the latest single-board computer from the world’s largest
open-source ecosystem. The company says the Primo is the first Arduino product to allow makers and
hobbyists to take advantage of the embryonic IoT. The Primo is powered by Nordic’s nRF51822 Bluetooth
low energy solution which can also support IPv6. Tomorrow, that technology will allow the Primo to
connect to the IoT without needing the resources of a sophisticated gateway such as a smartphone. Subscribe
Today, Nordic Bluetooth low energy chips are found in hundreds of millions of products around the
world. If our engineers’ talents are nurtured and we continue to enjoy a share of good fortune, it’s possible
that when we take a glance back from June 2026 we’ll see a good share of the 50 billion things making up Talk to @NordicTweets
the IoT being powered by one of our devices.
Yours Sincerely, Like us
Follow us
Geir Langeland
Director of Sales & Marketing Join online forum:
devzone.nordicsemi.com
Contributors
Page 9 Page 10 Page 20
Yamazaki Mitsuo is Nordic’s Sally Ward-Foxton is an electronics Caroline Hayes is a tech writer The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are
Regional Sales Manager in Japan. freelance journalist. On page 10 she specializing in semiconductors. In registered trademarks owned by the
Here he looks at how the nRF52 speaks to the man behind the BBC this issue she explores the state of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks
by Nordic Semiconductor is under license.
Series SoC is powering a new micro:bit and finds out why Nordic’s play in wireless charging, finding an
generation of RF modules chip lies at the heart of the device industry undergoing rapid change © Nordic Semiconductor 2016
2 | summer 2016 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com
NEWS
The latest developments from Nordic Semiconductor
New Arduino base board offers In brief
native Bluetooth low energy BBC micro:bit
now for sale
Open source prototyping overhead to supervise and control The BBC micro:bit, a pocket-
platform developer, the Arduino Primo’s on-board sized programmable device
Arduino, is to use Nordic accelerometer, temperature, that can be coded and
customized to bring ideas to
Semiconductor’s nRF52832 humidity, and pressure sensors.
life, is being made available to
Bluetooth low energy System-on- For all but the most advanced buy in the U.K. by element14,
Chip (SoC) in its new Internet of projects, programming will be the BBC’s micro:bit partner.
Things (IoT) programmable single done via the established and The widespread availability
board computer: the Arduino easy-to-use Arduino Integrated follows gifting of the BBC
Primo. Development Environment (IDE) micro:bit to one million school
For the first time the low cost programming interface. children across the U.K. The
single board computer—or base Arduino Primo now offers built-in However, professional micro:bit can be pre-ordered
board—features native Bluetooth wireless connectivity for makers developers and Makers who want from element14 as a single
embarking on IoT projects unit; a starter kit with four
low energy wireless connectivity to access the most advanced
project ideas to get users
alongside Near Field Comms client and server over Wi-Fi, offers features and functionality of the started; or in a pack of 10
(NFC), Wi-Fi, and infrared (IR) embedded IR for traditional Arduino Primo will be able to use devices.
technologies. Previously users remote control, and employs the any Nordic nRF52 Series-
were required to add shields to
the board to enable Bluetooth low
Nordic SoC’s integrated NFC tag
for secure authentication and
compatible Software
Development Kit (SDK). For
Bluetooth sector
energy technology. ‘Touch-to-Pair’ operation. example, the nRF5 SDK for IoT set for huge lift
In addition to being able to As well as controlling the allows more experienced users to Analyst Beige Market
wirelessly connect to a wide array Bluetooth low energy RF protocol develop IPv6 over Bluetooth low Intelligence, claims the
of Bluetooth low energy sensors, software stack and application energy applications enabling the Bluetooth low energy market
the Arduino Primo can act as a code, the nRF52832’s ARM Arduino Primo to connect directly will be worth $3 billion by 2021,
fully functional TCP / IP Internet processor has the computational to the Internet. driven by major expansion
in the industrial Internet of
Things (IoT) sector, and high
Soccer sensors track player performance demand from Asia Pacific.
The report claims the region
for post-game analysis
will contribute more than
50 percent of the revenue
in the Bluetooth low energy
U.S. wearable sports technology company, Zepp market and identifies Nordic
Labs, has launched a new wearable soccer sensor Semiconductor as a key vendor.
that monitors a range of in-game player attributes Close to 4 billion Bluetooth
chips are likely to be shipped
to provide coaches and players with a tool to
worldwide in 2021.
analyze and improve performance post game.
The Zepp Soccer sensors are strapped to a
player’s calves, and record running and sprint Flexible security
distance, passing, and preferred foot metrics, solution unveiled
employing Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52832
Experimental physicists
System-on-Chip (SoC) to sync the data via a
The Zepp Soccer sensors place a high demand on at Saarland University in
Bluetooth low energy wireless link to compatible Germany have developed an
Bluetooth low energy technology
iOS or Android smartphones. outdoor security solution that
The Zepp Soccer sensors place a high demand and capture individual player video. The app will issues a warning if someone
on the Nordic SoC, as the application is required then generate a report for post-game review. has attempted to cross over
to support more than 30 sensors and provide “We needed a Bluetooth Smart solution with a a flexible cable. The cable
sufficient bandwidth between the sensors and a powerful CPU, excellent Floating Point and DSP contains a linear array of
smartphone to cope with, for example, more than performance, to perform the data manipulation, highly sensitive magnetic-
100x the data generated by a heart rate monitor. field sensors that are capable
as well as large RAM capacity to buffer all the
of detecting the smallest
Zepp Labs also required low power consumption information being gathered by the sensors,”
changes in the ambient
in both ‘active’ and ‘standby’ modes to achieve explains Dong Li, Zepp Labs Hardware Director. magnetic field at distances of
up to 15 hours of game time between recharges. “But we also needed to minimize power up to several meters, issuing
From a smartphone running the Zepp Soccer consumption. For those reasons the nRF52832 a message via Bluetooth
app, a coach or ‘host’ can also record game time Bluetooth Smart SoC was the logical choice.” technology to a smartphone
or tablet.
www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | Summer 2016 | 3
news
In brief A million schoolchildren receive
Bluetooth device
boom coming Nordic-powered BBC micro:bit
Market intelligence firm Britain’s public broadcaster,
ABI Research, predicts the BBC, is delivering up to
annual Bluetooth device
one million free codeable
shipments will reach 5 billion
by 2021, with Bluetooth computers called micro:bits to
low energy delivering the every 11-12 year old school child in
strongest growth, driven the U.K., each driven by a Nordic
by new opportunities in Semiconductor nRF51822
beacons, home automation, Bluetooth low energy System-on-
and wearables. Though Chip (SoC).
smartphones will still make Announced at a launch event
up 43 percent of Bluetooth hosted at the London Stock
shipments by 2021, ABI claims
Exchange, the BBC said the
Bluetooth low energy devices
will increase to 27 percent project aimed to encourage the
of shipments on the back next generation to take an interest
of enhancements in mesh in technology. Following the BBC micro:bit aims to
nationwide rollout, the micro:bit inspire the next generation
networking and IPv6, as well
as improvements in efficiency, hardware and much of the
range, and size reductions. software will be open-sourced, communicate with other the widest number of people,
and the micro:bit made available micro:bits, and wirelessly sync to including for those from a non-
Monitoring to buy from a range of retailers. smartphones and computers. electronics background.
heart rate Nordic Semiconductor is an Nordic pioneered the “The ability to code is now as
official BBC micro:bit partner, and development of ultra low power important as math skills and can
China-based Shenzhen DO the nRF1822 SoC sits at the heart wireless in the early 2000s, and unlock new career options,” says
Intelligent Technology Co has
of the micro:bit, integrating the later became a key contributor in Simon Segars, CEO of ARM. “I can
selected Nordic’s nRF51822
computer’s ‘brain’—a 32-bit ARM the creation and evolution of easily imagine a new wave of
Bluetooth Smart System-on-
Chip for its “ID 107” real-time Cortex M0 microprocessor— Bluetooth low energy technology. entrepreneurs looking back and
dynamic heart rate monitor where the school child-created Since then Nordic has worked citing [the BBC micro:bit launch]
wearable. The multifunction software code runs, and that also to make ultra low power wireless as the day their passion for
wristband is equipped with allows the micro:bit to wirelessly connectivity simple, and open to technology began.”
a photoelectric diode and a
green LED on the underside
of the bracelet. Heart rate
data is calculated based on Smoke and motion detectors provide
a proprietary algorithm and
wirelessly synced to the user’s networked protection from fire and theft
smartphone via Bluetooth Norwegian safety connected device company,
low energy, allowing them to sfty Sense offers networked protection
sfty, has released a wireless, smartphone app-
determine the level of effort against apartment fires
controlled combined smoke- and motion-
maintained during exercise.
detector. The unit is designed for use in multi-
Energy costs fuel dwelling units and apartments to protect the
owner against fire and theft, as well as provide
smart home lift temperature and relative humidity data.
The sfty Sense device employs Nordic
The global smart home
Semiconductor’s multiprotocol nRF51822
market is predicted to grow
from $46.97 billion in 2015 System-on-Chip (SoC) to deliver
to $121.73 billion by 2022, as communication across a 2.4 GHz low power
advancements in the Internet mesh network while simultaneously providing
of Things (IoT) sector drive smartphone connectivity. signaling, while the low power mesh network is
consumer adoption, analyst From the sfty app, users can create a social used for signaling between devices to trigger or
MarketsandMarkets claims. network of friends, family, and neighbors who cancel smoke or motion alarms in the individual
It said increasing consumer are notified via the app on their own mobile home, or trigger building-wide smoke alarms.
demand for convenience, device in the event of a sfty Sense detector alarm “With the impending announcement of
safety, and security, as being triggered. The user can also manage their Bluetooth Smart Mesh, the support for
well as a rising need for safety devices from the app to turn on and off Bluetooth in smartphones will allow direct
energy saving would see
the burglar alarm, as well as notify their network interaction between the user’s mobile and our
manufacturers expand
if they are in need of assistance. devices when they are at home,” says Espen
their smart home product
portfolios. The lighting control The device employs a home Wi-Fi network via Schrøder, COO of sfty. “This capability is
market is expected to grow a standard router to communicate with the sfty something that competing standards are not in
at the highest rate during the Cloud for configuration, status reports, and a position to provide for the foreseeable future.”
forecast period.
4 | summer 2016 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com
news
IoT platform enables end-to-end wireless
monitoring and control
Swedish industrial Internet on-Chip (SoC) to enable either customers with the opportunity
of Things (IoT) system or both Bluetooth low energy to rapidly deploy technology for
provider, Free2move, has and the company’s own legacy monitoring buildings without
unveiled its 2Connect building Free2move Radio Air Protocol being impeded by ‘legacy’
management and industrial (FRAP)-wireless connectivity systems,” says Anders Due-Boje,
automation IoT platform, a to a range of IoT devices, Free2move CEO.
complete IoT architecture sensors, beacons, and actuators. “The IoT is undergoing rapid
comprising sensors and 2Connect monitors humidity, development and early IoT
actuators, wireless gateways and temperature, air quality, air and adopters need a capability to
middleware, analytics, and water flow, volatile organic support proprietary legacy
presentation. compounds (VOCs), vibration, technologies in the short term,”
The platform incorporates movement, light, pressure, says Geir Langeland, Director of
Cloud services for automating energy consumption, as well as Sales & Marketing with Nordic
and connecting ‘things’ with traces of fungus, using a layered Semiconductor.
building and industrial analytics and decision “2Connect cleverly takes
2Connect monitors a host of
automation applications and architecture. The platform advantage of the nRF52832 SoC’s
environmental variables
services. The fundamental part of assumes full responsibility for the multiprotocol support to offer
2Connect is the Celebes scalable capture of IoT data, analyzing real triggered motor-, switch-, lock-, users both Bluetooth low energy
wireless gateway which employs time information and taking alarm-, and valve-actuation, and and legacy FRAP stacks, thus
Nordic Semiconductor’s corresponding remedial actions visualization. ‘future proofing’ customer
nRF52832 multiprotocol System- with automatic, wirelessly- “2Connect provides our installations.”
Nordic expands with new offices in mainland China
Nordic Semiconductor has opened two care, payment systems, and smart remote
new sales, marketing, and customer control with voice command.
support offices in mainland China. The “China has been growing steadily every
offices enable the company to provide year since Nordic started out in Asia in
fast sales and technical support to China’s 2001,” says Ståle “Steel” Ytterdal,
burgeoning wireless design and Nordic’s Director of Sales & Marketing –
manufacturing sector. The facilities are in Asia.
addition to Nordic’s Asian HQ in Hong “However, when we introduced
Kong. Bluetooth low energy in 2010 sales
The offices officially opened on March 1, exploded. That showed Nordic that there
Nordic’s Shanghai office celebrates its opening was a lot of innovation going on in China
2016, and are based in Shanghai in north-
east China, and Shenzhen in Guangdong and we needed to position ourselves to
province in the south of China. Each office closely support these customers.”
is staffed by a Technical Sales The opening of the Shanghai and
representative and Field Applications Shenzhen offices strengthens Nordic’s
Engineer and managed by Nordic’s relationship with its current distribution
existing Regional Sales Managers in China. partners - Avnet, Arrow, Honestar, New
The opening of the offices is a response Spirit, Rutronik, and Xuntong - providing
to the dramatic growth of companies an increased presence in mainland China
designing and developing Bluetooth low and the basis for further collaboration on
energy solutions in China, particularly in joint meetings with potential and existing
the area of wearables, IoT, toys, health While the Shenzhen office also opens for business customers.
Global IoT security spending to climb New modules v4.2 compatible
In brief
Worldwide spending on Internet of Things (IoT) security will Taiyo Yuden, has selected Nordic’s nRF52832 Bluetooth low
reach $348 million in 2016, a 23.7 percent increase from 2015 energy System-on-Chip (SoC) for its new EYSHCNZXZ and
spending of $281.5 million, according to analyst Gartner Inc. EYSHJNZXZ Bluetooth low energy modules. The modules are
Although overall spending will initially be moderate, Gartner fully-tested Bluetooth low energy solutions compatible with
predicts IoT security market spending will increase at a faster the latest version of the Bluetooth Core Specification (4.2),
rate after 2020, as improved skills, organizational change, simplifying the design of a wide range of connected products
and more scalable service options improve execution. The where performance, small size, and low power consumption are
company claims that by 2020 more than 25 percent of identified key factors. The use of Nordic wireless technology for the modules
enterprise attacks will involve the IoT. continues a long-term design partnership.
www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2016 | 5
news
Bluetooth low energy gives model
railroads a 21st century makeover
One of the world’s largest makes it possible for multiple
model railroad makers has users to simultaneously control
transformed a decades old their locomotives on a single
market with the introduction of layout.”
the first Bluetooth low energy Janyszek adds that E-Z App
controlled trains. E-Z App from supports wireless smartphone
Bachmann Trains brings and tablet control of any of its E-Z
smartphone and tablet wireless App compatible model trains over
touchscreen control and app- a range of up to 33 meters, and is
based interactivity to the model also compatible with all MFI-
train market for the first time, approved game controllers.
reducing the start-up cost and “It has been incredibly
complexity for model railroad refreshing to see adults, young
enthusiasts. children, and experienced
E-Z App was developed in hobbyists downloading the app
conjunction with Bluetooth model because of its simplicity, and
train PCB design specialist, rediscovering the pleasure of
BlueRail Trains, using Nordic model trains,” comments David
Semiconductor’s nRF51822 E-Z App represents the biggest Rees, CEO & Creative Director at
System-on-Chip (SoC)-based technological advance in model Bluerail Trains.
railroads for nearly 30 years
BMD-200 modules from U.S.
engineering firm Rigado. controls for sound effects, lighting
Bachmann says E-Z App brings effects, and many other
simple wireless touchscreen variables,” says Rich Janyszek,
control and intuitive app-based Senior VP of Sales &
interactivity to the traditional Marketing at Bachmann.
model train market for the first “In addition, the E-Z App
time. control system automatically
“This includes putting, quite keeps track of all locomotives
literally, at a user’s fingertips that are present on a track layout
features such as speed table and lists them on the program’s
controls [acceleration and opening screen in a roster that
deceleration rates], volume can be accessed at any time. This
Nordic nRF52 Series SoC wins CEM Editor’s Choice Award
Nordic Semiconductor’s next Chinese market. services that were fast, Bluetooth low energy
generation nRF52832 Bluetooth The nRF52832 SoC featured meticulous, and thoughtful, technology has seen strong
low energy System-on-Chip, has among the best of its peers in resulting in higher customer growth, but the recent
won the China Electronic Market market share and boasted one satisfaction, according to the emergence of wearable health-
(CEM) Editor’s Choice Award or more innovative features—in CEM editors. care devices and smart-home
2015 in the “Most Competitive particular its unique Near-Field “The applications base for applications will provide a
Interface Products in China” Communication (NFC) tag— strong impetus for further
category. while Nordic also demonstrated growth in the Bluetooth
Jointly hosted by CEM pre-sales, sales, and after-sales market,” comments Ståle
magazine and China Electronic “Steel” Ytterdal, Nordic
Exhibition & Information Semiconductor’s Director of
Communication Co., Ltd., the Sales & Marketing in Asia.
selection criteria for the award “Our nRF52 Series SoCs
considered brand influence, address these markets with
market share, technological compact high-integration
innovation, and product solutions that support the ULP
service. The nRF52832 SoC wireless capability these new
was judged to fulfill all of these markets demand. We are very
Nordic’s nRF52832 SoC was
criteria, including a sound praised for its innovation and honored to receive the Editor’s
sales performance in the customer satisfaction Choice Award from CEM.”
6 | summer 2016 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com
ULP WIRELESS TRENDS
The latest developments in technology
By 2025 smart cities
may spend $1.12 trillion
on IoT deployment
Wireless standards
slash IoT costs
Smart cities of the future may look towards
open wireless standards to save billions in
Internet of Things (IoT) deployment costs,
according to market intelligence firm
Schoolchildren are taking a
Machina Research.
hands-on approach to coding
thanks to the BBC micro:bit The firm said choosing open standards -
for example Bluetooth low energy - would
lead to more interoperability between
School project sees BBC micro:bit networks and applications, cutting
costs by as much as 30 percent, and
carried to edge of space and back encouraging deployment of IoT solutions.
Machina Research predicts that by
A school in Yorkshire, England recently launched a BBC micro:bit to the edge of space, 2025 smart cities may spend $1.12 trillion
carried up into the stratosphere by a helium balloon. on deploying smart technology, but could
The project was the brainchild of computer teacher Peter Bell, and saw pupils from save up to $341 billion if they use open
Rishworth School design and engineer a module integrating the micro:bit, sensors, a GPS wireless standards instead of proprietary
tracking device, and an on-board camera to take pictures and record video on its journey. technology. On top of the lowered cost
A team of 20 pupils tracked the weather balloon and its cargo as it made its way up to for deployment, Machina also predicts 27
a height of 32,588 meters, before the balloon burst and the module began its descent, percent more connected devices by 2025
reaching a speed of 290 km/hr when a parachute deployed and returned the module to if open wireless standards are adopted by
Earth safely. Thanks to the GPS tracking device, the school was able to follow the module’s smart cities and IoT providers.
descent and locate it in a farmer’s field some 100 miles away from where it was launched. The firm said the current issue is IoT
“We were in two cars following the signal and it was very exciting. We heard later from a providers are bundling proprietary
pilot that air traffic was rerouted because something was coming down to earth fast and it wireless technology with their deployment
was our computer,” says Bell. software, instead of using open source
At the heart of the micro:bit is a Nordic Semiconductor nRF51822 System-on-Chip (SoC). alternatives.
Wireless transmitters deliver pinpoint location information
Apple has been awarded a patent for a Bluetooth low energy, Wi-Fi, and GPS.
system of city-wide low power wireless The system In operation, a stationary waypoint device
could improve
transmitters capable of sending pinpoint- would broadcast its location via Bluetooth
positioning
accurate location data as well as accuracy over low energy messages. Each message would
environmental alerts to iPhones. traditional GPS be sent out at a known signal strength,
The patent entitled “System with wireless allowing the receiving device, like an iPhone,
messages to enhance location accuracy” to extrapolate its relative location based on a
attempts to solve signal reception issues that received signal strength indicator value,
crop up in densely populated cities, while thereby determining its absolute position
increasing the granularity of positioning depending on the number and quality of
data. The solution is said to consume less messages received.
power than A-GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, and Applied to navigation, the system could be
cellular triangulation techniques. configured to track vehicle movement with a
The patent calls for a multitude of high degree of accuracy, for example, along
stationary transmitters to be installed at off-ramps and on-ramps or forks in a road,
strategic locations near a city’s roads. Each where traditional GPS systems often fail to
transmitter is a smart wireless hub supporting resolve user position adequately.
www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2016 | 7
news extra
New Eddystone beacon format
addresses security concerns
The Ephemeral Identities addition to Google’s more secure Eddystone beacon format is
now supported by a dedicated Nordic Software Development Kit
B
eacons are driving new
proximity-based services. A more secure form of Eddystone
from Google promises to
The devices comprise
accelerate beacon adoption
low-cost Bluetooth low
energy transmitters for indoor or
outdoor use, placed in a particular
location or point of interest. The
beacon transmits its identity to
any Bluetooth 4.0-equipped
mobiles in range; those hosting
a companion app can be located
and the software can trigger
various types of notifications.
Because beacons have the
potential to identify the location
of smartphones to within a few
meters, they enable content
delivery specifically targeted to
that location for users who want
it. As such, the technology is “Beacons are a core building block of the Internet of Things but
predicted to be rapidly adopted security and privacy has been a concern with today’s beacon formats”
by stores as a way to boost sales.
Analyst Business Insider, for about a consumer with the An Eddystone-EID beacon Nordic’s Svendsen.
example, estimates that the top intention of malicious attack. uses an AES-encrypted eight- Nordic is one of fifteen
100 U.S. retailers could reap $44.4 This perceived vulnerability is byte beacon identifier that manufacturers currently
billion in sales by the end of this holding back beacon deployment. changes pseudo-randomly supporting Eddystone-EID, a list
year as a result of the influence of “Privacy is the top consumer with an average period (from which also includes Sensoro and
beacon-triggered smartphone barrier to wide adoption of one second to just over nine Estimote, beacon makers that use
notifications. beacons,” Adam Silverman, an hours) determined by the Nordic’s Bluetooth low energy
However, despite the potential, analyst with Forrester Research, developer. The identifier is wireless technology. When Google
beacons have taken a little longer told technology publication Wired. generated using a key and timer introduced Eddystone-EID, Nordic
than initially predicted to catch on. running on the beacon. The key simultaneously announced its
“Beacons are a core building block Hardening beacon security is generated and exchanged Software Development Kit (SDK)
of the Internet of Things,” explains In April, Google introduced new with a resolution service using and supporting tools for engineers
Reidar Martin Svendsen, Technical technology to enhance beacon a defined protocol and only the looking to work with the more
Product Manager with Nordic privacy by launching Eddystone- beacon and the service to which secure beacon technology.
Semiconductor, “but security and Ephemeral Identities (EID), an it is registered have access to the The ‘nRF5 SDK for Eddystone’
privacy has been a concern with addition to the Eddystone beacon key. If registered with the service enables development of
today’s beacon formats.” format that itself was announced beacon ‘attachments’ are served Eddystone-EID beacons to
The root of the problem in mid 2015. in the normal way across a secure provide real-world context to users
is Bluetooth low energy The company explains link to a consumer’s mobile. in a huge variety of proximity-
technology’s use of a unique that Eddystone-EID provides Apart from the security based beacon applications. The
identifier to pair with mobile developers more power to control improvement, Eddystone- SDK also features a Generic
devices for the exchange who can make use of a beacon’s EID also introduces other Attribute Profile (GATT) that
of information. In most signal, enabling a new set of enhancements such as an ability allows beacons to be configured
applications this is not an use cases for users to be able to to broadcast URLs. “[Now, for from a smartphone.
issue, but because a beacon exchange information securely example] advertising posters The SDK is designed for Nordic’s
is designed to pair with any and privately. The secret of the [could have] the ability to nRF52 Series Bluetooth low
mobile device that comes technology is a beacon ‘frame’ (or broadcast a relevant web address energy Systems-on-Chip (SoCs).
within range, a fixed identifier signal) that changes periodically, to smartphones nearby - making A future upgrade will also allow
can leave open a ‘back door’ for and consequently is only it easy for interested parties for the existing nRF51 or nRF52
the unethical to eavesdrop on recognizable to a controlled set of to find out more about the Eddystone beacons to be updated
communications and perhaps users (those that have signed up advertised item without having to Eddystone-EID via an over-the-
access private information to the service). to download an app first,” notes air (OTA) firmware update.
8 | summer 2016 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com
COMMENT
Nordic’s nRF52 Series powers
new generation of RF modules
The nRF52832 SoC is enabling manufacturers to build a powerful new breed of
Bluetooth low energy modules based on proven architecture, says Mitsuo Yamazaki
as well as 512 kB Flash memory
By Mitsuo Yamazaki,
Regional Sales and 64 kB RAM.
Manager – Japan, The ARM processor enables
Nordic Semiconductor
the SoC to run applications
T
that previously demanded a
he RF modules market two-chip (2.4 GHz transceiver
is booming. According plus separate microcontroller)
to IHS, in mid 2015, solution. At the time of launch,
modules made up the nRF52832 SoC was the
about a third of the overall world’s most powerful single-
low power wireless market chip Bluetooth low energy
and the company expected device and was recently
that proportion to grow to 40 recognized by China Electronic
percent by 2018. This statistic Market magazine as “the most
should come as no surprise; the competitive interface product in
Small but powerful: Taiyo Yuden’s smallest Bluetooth low energy module
lure of a pre-engineered, tested measures just 5.1 by 11.3 by 1.3 mm but incorporates a 64 MHz, 32-bit ARM
China”. (See this issue pg6.)
and compliant RF solution for Cortex M4F processor Several module makers already
manufacturers with little or launched nRF52832 SoC-based
no experience with wireless
connectivity, yet needing to
Trains was based on Nordic
Semiconductor’s nRF51822
“Because the products. Here in Japan, Taiyo
Yuden has added to its range of
make their products “smart”, is Bluetooth low energy System- nRF52832 nRF51 Series-based modules with
compelling. on-Chip (SoC). The SoC SoC’s hardware two nRF52 Series-based units
U.S.-based Bachmann integrates an ARM Cortex measuring as small as 5.1 by 11.3
Trains, for example, one of M0 processor, 2.4 GHz
and software by 1.3 mm.
the world’s oldest and largest multiprotocol radio, up to 256 architecture are “The ARM processor and
traditional model railroad and
train manufacturers, teamed
kB Flash, and up to 32 kB RAM.
The SoC also features a
compatible with greater memory allocation makes
the nRF52832 SoC a better
up with RF module maker unique software architecture the nRF51 Series choice for single-chip Bluetooth
Rigado to bring Bluetooth low that separates the RF software modules, it makes Smart solutions for complex IoT
energy technology to model protocol from the developer’s applications,” says Mikio Aoki,
train engines. Bachmann says application code ensuring that
it much easier Taiyo Yuden Project Manager.
wireless connectivity brings during software development for customers to Aoki went on to add: “Because the
touchscreen control and app-
based interactivity to the model
the RF protocol can’t be
corrupted. Launched in mid-
upgrade” nRF52832 SoC’s ARM processor
and software architecture are
trains for the first time. (See this 2012, the nRF51822 is now used compatible with the nRF51 Series
issue pg6.) in millions of products across modules, it makes it much easier
In addition to Bachmann, the world. The nRF52832 SoC is based for our customers to upgrade to
scores of manufacturers find Rigado is not the only on the proven software- and the new modules.”
the trade-offs brought by company to base a module on hardware-architecture of the And in the U.S., Argenox
choosing a module—higher Nordic Bluetooth low energy nRF51 Series but features a Technologies has also
cost bill of materials and fewer technology. Nordic lists dozens 64 MHz, 32-bit ARM Cortex introduced a nRF52832 SoC-
opportunities for product of third-party nRF51822 SoC- M4F processor delivering up based module, measuring 9.7
customization compared to an powered modules on its website to 60 percent more generic by 14.3 by 2 mm and certified to
RF solution assembled from including those from companies processing power, offering FCC, ETSI, and CE standards.
discrete components—are such as Fujitsu, Laird, and u-blox. ten times the Floating Point “The nRF52832 SoC makes
well worth making to simplify performance, and twice the Bluetooth low energy products
design and manufacturing. A Boosting performance Digital Signal Processing smarter and better,” explains
single module, for example, Last year’s launch of the Nordic (DSP) performance compared Argenox Technologies Founder
can be reused across multiple nRF52832 Bluetooth low energy to competing solutions. The and CEO, Gustavo Litovsky. “The
products, easing the problem SoC allowed module makers SoC has an enhanced 2.4 GHz chip makes the end solution
of supporting numerous unique to design a new generation multiprotocol radio offering faster to develop, lower cost, and
wireless designs. of modules with significantly Bluetooth low energy (fully more reliable, while allowing the
The Rigado RF module greater performance than those compatible with Bluetooth 4.2), designer to make fewer trade-offs
selected by Bachmann which came before. with -96 dB (receive) sensitivity in their selection of features.”
www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2016 | 9
TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE
The BBC micro:bit project is
inspiring the next generation of
computer science engineers
Building the BBC micro:bit
Sally Ward-Foxton speaks to the man behind the BBC’s ambitious educational project
Sally Ward-Foxton
and math (STEM) subjects and As soon as Nordic The U.K. government
eventually pursuing careers in changed the school curriculum
is a freelance
journalist specializing computer science. It’s a laudable Semiconductor as a result of the Royal Society
in electronics aim, but how did this ambitious stepped in we knew report, but BBC Learning felt
T
project come about? there was more that could be
he British Broadcasting Howard Baker was with the
we’d solved most done. The BBC has a history of
Corporation’s (BBC) BBC’s education department, the of the hardware getting involved with practical
educational project team which drove development problems. Its chip is a projects to educate its home
to give every year 7 of the micro:bit. He explains that country; in the 1980s, a similarly
schoolchild in the U.K. a free the initial idea followed a 2011 brilliant solution” ambitious venture called the BBC
programmable learning device report from the U.K.’s worldwide Howard Baker Computer Literacy project placed
is almost fully rolled out, with renowned Royal Society. microcomputers in U.K. schools
nearly one million devices The report identified a steep understands. We’d stopped to encourage young people to
already in the hands of their decline in the number of students learning these skills.” learn to use them. A basic level of
new owners. The devices, called studying computer science computer literacy was seen to be
“micro:bits”, are small (and at university. The report also Repeating history extremely important to prepare
wearable) boards equipped revealed that the students’ The current generation had no the workforce for the impending
with a basic LED display, various skill level when they arrived at idea that programming skills microcomputer revolution.
sensors and buttons, and a university had steadily declined. were in demand in the U.K, Baker Called the BBC Micro, the
Bluetooth low energy wireless “[This was all happening] at a says. It came as a surprise to computer given to schools in the
chip with embedded ARM time when [future] jobs required many schoolchildren that there is 1980s could be programmed using
processor. The intention is to more and more of these skills,” a strong British industry creating BASIC computer language and
teach children the basics of Baker says. “That’s thinking games and movies which represented many people’s first
programming with the hope of skills associated with computer represents an exciting potential experience of using a computer.
encouraging them into studying programming or organizing career path for computer science It was a successful project and is
science, technology, engineering, things in a way that a computer and STEM graduates. believed to have kick-started the
10 | summer 2016 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.comTECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE
U.K.’s fledgling digital industries, in programme, Blue Peter, with call for commercial partners to
particular, the games industry. the idea of encouraging basic help with hardware, software,
“The revolution did happen, electronic assembly. However, the learning resources, and finance.
every home did have a cost of materials for Blue Peter The partners worked together
microcomputer – computers are projects is limited to around GB£2 to finalize the spec of the device,
now ubiquitous,” Baker says. “The ($2.89), which meant that more which now included an on-board
skills that we learned in the 1980s expensive electronics projects accelerometer and compass.
took us through the revolutions weren’t appropriate. U.K. IP vendor ARM developed
that followed very quickly after “I was cycling home and and tested the basic hardware,
that. We were capable of building thought: ‘what’s the cheapest, KEY POINTS Technology Will Save Us designed
games, we were capable of smallest thing we could put in — the shape, look and feel of the
coming up with the world wide their hands, what could we give Rollout of the BBC’s device, and it was manufactured
web. But it was obvious [in 2011] them that would be a kickstart?’,” project to provide a by distributor Farnell element14.
that those skills were dipping.” Baker says. “We’d have to be able million free micro:bit ARM designed the hardware
Baker’s Innovations team at to give it away, so it would have to boards to help teach U.K. with simplicity in mind. This
BBC Learning started working be very cheap and it would have schoolchildren to code is included a high level of integration
with Manchester Metropolitan to have something on there that almost complete leading to the selection of a
University, assembling panels would immediately fascinate, like — Bluetooth low energy chip with
of skills experts and teachers to LEDs to write a message or make The code written by an embedded ARM processor.
the children is run on
discuss what form a potential an animation. It needs buttons, Nordic Semiconductor’s
the Nordic nRF51822
educational project might take. an input/output to attach to a nRF51822 is the brain of the
Bluetooth low energy SoC
Early ideas included a software sensor, and it must be the easiest micro:bit combining the latest
—
version of the BBC Micro to teach thing in the world to program. Bluetooth low energy, ANT+ and
The micro:bits will soon
basic programming. Kids loved Like the BBC Micro - just tap in an proprietary wireless technology
be able to connect to the
the prototype, Baker says, but it instruction and the thing does it.” wider Internet as part of with a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0
was especially loved by parents the IoT, helping prepare microprocessor.
who had used the original BBC Thinking bigger young coders to develop The nRF51822’s microprocessor
Micro at school. The BBC micro:bit was born. the IoT applications of is powerful enough to look after
As this was happening, A proof of concept device was tomorrow the wireless connectivity while
a new breed of electronics made up by BBC R&D and trialed also running the code written
hobbyists called ‘makers’ — tech at various events with great by the kids and looking after
enthusiasts, engineers, and success. But the project really the board’s other capabilities
students — started to emerge. gained momentum when newly- (with the exception of the USB
The rise of the Maker Movement appointed Director General of the functionality which is supervised
coincided with the early part of BBC, Tony Hall, announced that by an NXP Semiconductors
the BBC Learning project and the BBC’s big educational project microprocessor). The wireless
encouraged the notion that there of 2015 would be “Make It Digital”, connectivity allows a micro:bit
ought to be a piece of hardware an initiative to, in his words, “get to communicate with other
involved, that the kids could touch the nation coding again”. By then FRONT micro:bits, and Bluetooth 4.0
and play with, to make it feel more an integral part of this initiative, compatible smartphones, tablets,
real. Some small smartphone- the micro:bit team realized they and computers.
controlled robots were built could, and should, think bigger. “We knew from working with
as part of the project, which An initial idea to build 10,000 ARM that we wanted an ARM
reacted to signals embedded in devices was scrapped in favor Cortex-M0, but as soon as Nordic
popular BBC TV programmes, of giving a device away to every Semiconductor stepped up with
and they were a huge success child in a whole year group – a a [Bluetooth low energy System-
with children. This led to the million devices in total. on-Chip (SoC) with an embedded
Innovations team approaching Towards the end of 2014, the ARM microprocessor], and
BACK
the BBC’s flagship children’s TV Innovations team put out a showed it can do all this stuff we
U.K. 11 and 12 year old school children are now exploring the capabilities of the BBC micro:bit, a wirelessly-connected, programmable computer
www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2016 | 11TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE
knew very quickly we’d solved end of the project. The micro:bit
most of the hardware problems,” hardware is now on sale to the
Baker explains. “It was a brilliant general public through Farnell
solution; in one step, the micro:bit element14 and several other
was equipped to do all the things retailers and there will be add-on
it needed to do. kits available from partners like
“Shake it and something Kitronic which will incorporate
happens, point it in a direction and additional sensors and other
something happens, tap it and learning materials. The micro:bits
a smartphone does something. might also eventually be able
That’s what turns the children on to transfer data between each
and underneath, Nordic’s chip is other, using the nRF51822 SoC’s
making it all possible.” proprietary radio functionality.
The other important chip on Another potentially exciting
the board is NXP’s USB controller, development is that the BBC
Nordic’s John Leonard (far left) and partners at the micro:bit U.K. roll-out
chosen because it enables code is working with Nominet (the
to be ported to the board without for the micro:bit’s Javascript a great practical illustration of U.K. web domain name registry)
first downloading a loader editor, and C++ is also available what coding can do. Samsung to get micro:bits connected
program (a potential obstacle through ARM mbed, the built an Android app which allows to the wider Internet, using a
to setting up the micro:bit). The development environment used the micro:bit to be programmed Raspberry Pi or smartphone as
company also provided the MEMS by many embedded engineers. wirelessly by a smartphone, a gateway. Internet connectivity
accelerometer and compass “The kids have a pathway and some of the smartphone’s will effectively make a million-
chips. The board also has 25 LEDs where they can start with moving functions to be controlled by the plus micro:bits a genuine part
arranged in a grid, two buttons, graphical blocks, like a jigsaw micro:bit. Smartphones equipped of the Internet of Things (IoT).
pins to link to other sensors via puzzle [in Blockly], then play with with Bluetooth 4.0 and later can The micro:bits can then act as
crocodile clips, and an edge Python and Javascript, and then communicate via the Nordic sensor or actuator nodes for the
connector which can be used to even move on to C++ on a clear nRF51822 SoC which hosts a Raspberry Pi or smartphone,
connect to other hardware, such pathway,” Baker says. specially written Bluetooth Profile connected via Bluetooth low
as Raspberry Pi or Arduino. Key to connecting the and Services, courtesy of the energy, a USB cable or through
For the micro:bit’s software hardware and software is a C++ Bluetooth SIG. the edge connector.
Microsoft volunteered its “Touch library which implements the “Not only does Bluetooth low “The micro:bit is not just a tool
Develop” platform and built a interactions referred to by the energy mean I can sit on the to help kids code, it’s a tool to help
web app around it, before adding higher languages. This important bus and write my program on kids get ready for the IoT,” Baker
Google’s Blockly language at library was built by Lancaster my smartphone, and transfer it says. His view is that comparable
Baker’s request. University; it’s now a fully directly to the micro:bit, but I can to the microcomputer revolution
Baker was also keen to include fledged open-source embedded also get the micro:bit talking to in the 1980s, the IoT is the next
Python, a software language operating system with a range of and controlling the smartphone,” technology revolution our society
widely used in the teaching functionalities that the various explains Baker. faces. “The micro:bit is absolutely
community, and with the support communities using the micro:bit about building IoT technology,
of the Python Foundation, a can build on. Get ready for the IoT it’s about experimenting with
special version of Python for Since most schoolchildren Although the micro:bits are building things for the new world,
embedded devices was added. are very familiar with mobiles, almost fully rolled out to the and having the opportunity to do
Code Kingdoms was responsible connection to a smartphone is first target group, this isn’t the that,” he says.
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QUARTER 2 | SUMMER 2016
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BBC micro:bit
Eddystone strengthens
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2006 to 2016
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12 | summer 2016 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.comANT WIRELESS UPDATE
A decade of collaboration
Kat Kent looks back over ten years of successful and productive cooperation
between ANT Wireless and Nordic Semiconductor
Kat Kent is a Canada-
based technology
journalist and a
wireless applications
engineer
T
he ANT RF software
protocol (‘ANT’) was
developed in response
to a need to wirelessly
transport data, using very little
battery power, from a footpod to
a device such as a sportswatch.
Invented by Dynastream
Innovations, based in Cochrane,
Alberta, ANT was launched in
2003.
During those early years
Dynastream worked closely
with Nordic Semiconductor to
develop silicon solutions that
would bring ANT to life. The ANT was invented to link footpods to
sportswatches and today is a key player in the
result of that collaboration was
Garmin
new field of advanced running sensors
Nordic’s nRF24AP1, launched in
2005 and comprising a 2.4 GHz
silicon radio running ANT. The focus on the solutions needed and taking 20 percent off the Nordic’s flagship nRF52832 SoC
transceiver was designed to work for their products and industry nRF24AP1’s peak current draw. platform that offers customers
with a separate power-efficient sectors. The collaboration For its part, Dynastream added ultra-low power protocol options,
microprocessor. between cycling companies has several key features to ANT like ANT, to solve our mutual
In 2006, Dynastream was strengthened over the decade, for the nRF24AP2’s release: customers’ unique connectivity
acquired by Garmin Ltd, the with an impressive array of proximity search, continuous use-cases,” says James Fujimoto,
U.S.-based company best known standards released. ANT+ Bike scan, and frequency agility. Director of ANT Wireless. “We
for its navigation devices and Speed and Cadence (2007), The Garmin subsidiary highly value our partnership with
sportswatches. ANT was a Power (2007), and Heart Rate Dynastream has retained Nordic, a partnership that has
strategic technology employed (2008) Device Profiles were development responsibility for successfully brought ultra-low
by the Garmin ‘Edge’ series of released shortly after the ANT, ensuring interoperability power connectivity solutions to
bike computers and ensured alliance was formalized. These and backwards compatibility market, and we look forward to
interoperability with peripheral device profiles were followed between each generation many more years of successful
wireless devices — such as speed, by Light Electric Vehicle (2011), of ANT chips. This business partnering.”
cadence, and power sensors — Suspension (2014), Seatpost model continues with the latest Today, ANT has evolved into a
from a wide range of companies. (2015), Bike lights (2015), Radar generations of Systems-on-Chip technology for high node count
ANT quickly became a de facto (2015), and Shifting (2016). (SoCs) from Nordic; the nRF51 networks that require low power
wireless standard for the cycling 2009 saw the launch of Series (launched in 2012) and operation across the network.
sector including the elite riders of the Nordic nRF24AP2 single- 2015’s nRF52832 multiprotocol Being highly configurable, ANT
the Tour de France. chip ANT solutions in both SoCs. ‘SoftDevices’ (essentially can be used to form point-
2007 saw the formal creation single channel and 8-channel RF protocol stacks) S332 (ANT & to-point, broadcast, shared,
of the ANT+ Alliance, a group variants. The cost-optimized Bluetooth low energy) and S212 and a variety of mesh network
of companies committed single channel variant was used (ANT) can be installed on the topologies that operate as part
to developing standardized for ANT+ sensor products, nRF52832 chip. Documentation of proprietary network designs.
and interoperable ANT+ while the 8-channel variant and technical support specific ANT+ continues to lead the way
products. 2008 saw the first allowed products such as bike to the ANT stack is provided in standardized solutions for
ANT+ Symposium, an annual computers and sportswatches to directly by Dynastream, while the cycling sector, is strong in
event hosted by Dynastream synchronize with eight sensors Nordic provides support for the fitness industry where high
and sponsored by Nordic concurrently. the S132 SoftDevice and for any node count coexistence and
Semiconductor that continues Nordic brought an improved other issues. manufacturer interoperability
each fall in the Canadian Rockies. silicon technology to the new “Our chip and protocol is key, and is a key player in the
ANT+ Alliance Members form chip design, significantly partnership has grown from the developing field of advanced
technical working groups to lowering the purchase price, small radio-only nRF2401 to running sensors.
www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2016 | 13You can also read
