Enterprise Next For Bluetooth Technology

quarter 2 | summer 2018
Cover story
Enterprise
next for
Bluetooth
technology
The many faces
of Industrial IoT
The Internet
of Finns
What next for
silicon vendors?
Opinion quarTer 2 | summer 2018
Cover story
Enterprise
next for
Bluetooth
technology
Pär Håkansson
The many faces
of Industrial IoT
The Internet
of Finns
What next for
silicon vendors?
Smart home encourages

wireless evolution Enterprise wearables are
driving a divergence in
Bluetooth applications
T
he smart home is driving wireless technology down an interesting (and somewhat challenging)
path. Industry clusters such as the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Thread Group, and ULP Wireless Q is published
Zigbee Alliance are jostling to position their respective technologies as the best smart-home on behalf of Nordic
solution. The prize is enticing; according to consultant McKinsey&Company, over the past several Semiconductor by Ecritech
years the smart-home sector in the U.S. has expanded at a compound annual growth rate of 31 percent. www.ecritech.com
Each organization’s RF protocol is mature with good vendor support and a proactive development
Editor
program. And all hold the potential to power the low-cost, battery-friendly wireless sensor networks that
Steven Keeping
will form the foundation of a smart home’s lighting, heating, and security systems. But each has specific e-mail: steven@ecritech.com
strengths (and weaknesses). Among Bluetooth Low Energy’s (Bluetooth LE) advantages are smartphone
Assistant Editor
interoperability; Thread boasts native IPv6 capability; and Zigbee is a proven, broadly-adopted mesh Chris Williams
networking technology. e-mail: chris@ecritech.com
It is perhaps little surprise that no single technology dominates. The capabilities of each betray the
Production Editor
protocol designers’ compromises between throughput, range, power consumption, and cost. For example, Andrew Woolls-King
Bluetooth LE technology’s smartphone interoperability derives from its consumer roots, while Zigbee e-mail: andrew@ecritech.com
wireless’ mesh compatibility is a result of its design for industrial automation applications. That’s not to say Art Editor
the protocols haven’t adapted to meet applications beyond the original specification; Bluetooth 5, for Tim Plummer
example, extended Bluetooth LE technology’s throughput and range while Zigbee 3.0 enhanced the e-mail: production@ecritech.com
protocol’s interoperability. But reshaping can only take a wireless technology so far. Ultimately a protocol’s Image Editor
capabilities are limited by the laws of physics, and even the cleverest engineers can’t bend those. Neale Hobday
So it seems that no clear wireless winner is emerging in the connected home. More likely several e-mail: production@ecritech.com
technologies will be needed, working together with each playing to its strengths. If that’s to be the case, Print & Distribution
collaboration between industry bodies will be important to ensure that devices using different protocols Printech Europe
can interoperate. Such collaboration has started in some areas; the Thread Group and Zigbee Alliance, for
example, have already cooperated on the development of a “common language” to aid communication
between products supporting their respective technologies. (See this issue pg16.)
Nordic Semiconductor, despite perhaps being best known as the leading Bluetooth LE chip supplier, has
always catered for multiple protocols, supported on a single hardware platform. Historically, the company Subscribe
offered Bluetooth LE/ANT+/2.4 GHz Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) and now with its nRF52840 SoC, support for
those protocols is complemented by that for Thread and Zigbee. (See this issue pg8.) Better yet, the
nRF52840 SoC offers concurrent Bluetooth LE and Thread or Zigbee operation. That allows a developer to Talk to @NordicTweets
use identical hardware across a range of multiprotocol smart-home products, safe in the knowledge that
information can wirelessly pass between them all.
Yours Sincerely, Like us
Follow us
Pär Håkansson
Product Marketing Manager Join online forum:
devzone.nordicsemi.com
for Smart Home Products and Strategies
Contributors
Page 9 Page 16 Page 21
Svein-Egil Nielsen is CTO at Nordic Graham Prophet is a freelance Sebastien Mackaie-Blanchi is an The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are
Semiconductor. On page 9 he looks electronics journalist. Here he Engineering Manager with Nordic. registered trademarks owned by the
at the wireless technology options examines the creation of Dotdot, On page 21 he explains the critical Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks
by Nordic Semiconductor is under license.
for Industrial IoT implementations a single language that handles role of firmware in Bluetooth Low
in enterprise applications connectivity attributes of the IoT Energy SoC operation © Nordic Semiconductor 2018
2 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com

NEWS
The latest developments from Nordic Semiconductor
Korean technology giant Samsung In brief

SDS releases Bluetooth LE lock Nordic posts
strong Q1 results
Samsung SDS, a subsidiary of proximity card access options.
multinational corporation Samsung, When a registered user approaches the Nordic Semiconductor has
has launched a Bluetooth Low Energy door, they can unlock it by touching the reported record high revenue
(Bluetooth LE) smart door lock employing door button on Samsung SDS’ iOS or of $60.1 million during the
first quarter of 2018. The
Nordic’s nRF52832 System-on-Chip (SoC). Android partner app. In addition, this
result represents growth of 27
Smart door locks are ‘sHome Doorlock’ app enables the owner to percent over the same period
The Samsung
emerging as a popular product view ‘in and out’ activity records for their in 2017. Sales of Bluetooth Low
smart door
category in the burgeoning home or office, and receive push Energy solutions contributed
lock can be
Asian smart-home sector. China retrofitted to notifications in the event of low batteries. $38.4 million towards the
in particular is driving market any existing The SHP-DP930 Smart Doorlock is result, or 63.8 percent of total
growth with the country door powered by eight AA batteries that provide revenue during Q1 2018. The
investing more than $150 billion over 12 months standard operation between revenue growth came as a
in the technology. replacement. “Battery life was one of the result of the strong design
win momentum especially in
The ‘SHP-DP930 Smart Doorlock’ is a most important factors we considered in
the building and retail, and
full-body mortice unit that can be our selection of the wireless chip,” says modules markets.
retrofitted to any existing door, enabling Joonho Moon, Group Leader with Samsung
the user to access their home or office
without the need to carry door keys. The
SDS’ Home IoT team.
“Samsung is a universally known and
Report claims cellular
‘push-pull’ smart door lock can be activated trusted brand. It’s therefore appropriate key to IoT strategies
from the user’s Bluetooth 4.0 (and later) that the company is taking a leadership A new report from Ericsson
smartphone using Bluetooth LE wireless position in the smart home security sector,” claims 70 percent of surveyed
connectivity powered by the Nordic SoC, says Geir Langeland, Nordic’s Director of telecom service providers said
or alternatively by fingerprint, PIN, or RFID Sales & Marketing. they were focusing on cellular
IoT for their Internet of Things
(IoT) strategy. For the report,
Gunshot detection wearable notifies first

Exploring IoT Strategies,
Ericsson interviewed 20 fast-
responders when vest is pierced

growing mobile broadband
providers selected either for
their IoT leadership or for their
A U.S.-based low power wireless solutions market maturity. Ericsson
company, DataSoft Corporation, has released a The AID panel features a claims the push for cellular
‘man-down’ vest for law enforcement and the thin-film sensor inside the IoT amongst these providers
body armor that detects
military, integrating its ‘Automatic Injury is being fueled by 5G, and in
any piercing event
Detection’ (AID) sensor that wirelessly notifies particular the need for IoT
first responders in the event the vest is pierced. connectivity.
The AID panel features a thin-film sensor with
a conductive ink trace inside the body armor that Connected vending
detects any piercing event to the wearer’s front machines on the rise
or back, such as the impact of a bullet, knife, or
shrapnel. In the event the wearer suffers an The global installed base of
connected vending machines
impact, the vest automatically connects to a and where on the vest the impact occurred,
reached an estimated 2.6
paired device—typically the user’s smartphone allowing medical responders to assess the
million units in 2017, with
or radio—using Bluetooth Low Energy wireless urgency and seriousness of the potential injury. North America leading the
connectivity provided by a Nordic nRF52832 AID can also automatically and instantly initiate way, a report has revealed. The
System-on-Chip (SoC). one call to a selected phone number, as well as Berg Insight report forecast
The nRF52832 SoC’s high link budget 2.4GHz activate a wireless body camera to record the that the number of connected
radio enables the device to work over a range of incident. machines worldwide will grow
almost 70 meters. The smartphone then sends an The sensor employs a 300 mAh Li-Poly at a compound annual growth
emergency alert to nominated first responders battery, allowing the device to operate for up to rate of 16.2 percent to reach
5.4 million units by 2022.
and/or backup units via SMS, or directly to a two years on a single charge. Because the AID
Global penetration will reach
remote location such as the dispatcher’s console. sensors are installed inside the vest and are
32.2 percent by that time.
Emergency notifications include the wearer’s therefore difficult to remove and charge, the North America currently has
name and accurate personal medical nRF52832 SoC’s minimal power draw was said to as many connected vending
information, the linked device’s GPS location, be critical to the application’s success. machines as the rest of the
world, the report said.
www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 3

news
In brief Air quality sensor system checks

Over 1.8m visits for
Nordic DevZone environmental pollution
The Nordic Developer Zone Smart Sensor Devices, a outdoor air quality as well as
(devzone.nordicsemi.com), Stockholm, Sweden-based environmental conditions,
the online technical support
Internet of Things (IoT) and syncs the data
community for those working
with Nordic technology, was solutions start-up, has launched to the user’s
visited more than 1.8 million an air quality sensor system smartphone or
times during 2017, by over designed to provide users with tablet, where it
574,000 users. Launched rapid feedback on air quality and can be reviewed via
in 2013, Devzone received the presence of pollution in the company’s Android-
close to 6 million pageviews commercial, government, or compatible ‘Air Quality System’
last year, with new users consumer settings. app. Alternatively the data can be
accounting for around 75 Employing Nordic’s nRF52832 transferred to an administrator’s
percent of visitors. Devzone This device monitors indoor and
Bluetooth Low Energy Cloud-based management
allows engineers and partly-outdoor air quality as well as
developers to post questions (Bluetooth LE) System-on-Chip system via Wi-Fi. environmental conditions
and answer queries, as well as (SoC) to run the sensors’ From the management system
share code and documents. complex algorithms and deliver dashboard the user can review recharge, thanks in part to the
It is also moderated by a wireless connectivity to a user’s the data, set alerts, automate ultra low power consumption of
dedicated team of Nordic smartphone or tablet, the Hibou reports, and connect the system the Nordic SoC.
application engineers. unit includes a range of sensors to third party AI and machine- “We are using the nRF52832
measuring particulate matter learning platforms. SoC in Hibou specifically because
NB-IoT chipset (PM), gas (VOC), humidity, The device is powered via a of the powerful Arm M4F
sales set to surge temperature, atmospheric micro USB connector or external processor,” says Axel Hammar,
pressure, as well as ambient and power bank, but is also available Smart Sensor Devices’ Founder
The need for low power
ultraviolet (UV) light. in a low power version without a and CEO. “Nordic’s Thingy:52 IoT
consumption and large
coverage networks are driving The wall-mounted device PM sensor, that provides up to Sensor Kit is also helping our
the demand for narrowband monitors indoor and partly- one-month battery life between organization to improve.”
IoT (NB-IoT) chipsets, analyst
Market Research Future
has claimed. The analyst
said a high level of security, Wireless virtual fencing system keeps
compatibility with existing
cellular infrastructure, and low grazing animals from wandering
cost of devices are fuelling the
A virtual fencing system, when the animals seek refuge in
market growth, in addition to
increasing smart-city initiatives. designed to eliminate the need a barn or shelter, the GNSS
Asia Pacific is projected to show for farmers to maintain fences receiver is turned off to extend
high growth rate, on the back of for grazing animals, has been the life of the collar’s
demand for advanced machine- unveiled by Norwegian rechargeable Li-ion batteries.
to-machine communication technology company, Nofence. Instead, the Nordic nRF52832
technologies. The virtual fencing system SoC connects, using Bluetooth
consists of a collar, worn by the Low Energy (Bluetooth LE), to
Global IoT health animal, incorporating a global an iBeacon in the shelter to
market booming navigation satellite system
(GNSS) receiver and Nordic
confirm the animals’ location.
“Power consumption is
The global IoT healthcare Semiconductor’s nRF52832 critical as it is impractical to
market was valued at System-on-Chip (SoC). recharge the collar batteries
around $5.8 billion in 2014, From a map on the Nofence frequently,” says Oscar Hovde
and is expected to reach
iOS and Android app on a Berntsen, Nofence Founder
approximately $14.6 billion Animal collar eliminates the need
by 2022, at a CAGR of more smartphone or tablet, the for farmers to maintain fences and CTO.
than 11 percent between 2017 farmer draws a boundary for the “The GNSS receiver is the
and 2022, a new report has pasture within which they want warning the animal to turn back. biggest contributor to power
revealed. Analyst, Zion Market the animals to remain. This data The position of the animal is drain so we looked for
Research, said the increasing is uploaded to Nofence’s server tracked using the GNSS receiver, opportunities to turn it off
implementation of diagnostic and transmitted to the collar via and is relayed to the farmer’s whenever possible. Bluetooth
as well as therapeutic a cellular network. smartphone or tablet via a LE helped with that objective
equipment is one of the major Once the collar is fitted to the cellular network, allowing them by communicating with
factors driving growth. It said
grazing animal, straying outside to constantly monitor the beacons when the animal
in major developed countries,
IoT had been successfully the virtual boundary specified location of each animal wearing enters a fixed shelter to relay
implemented in remote by the farmer will cause the a collar via the Nofence app. the animal’s location to the
monitoring of diabetes and collar to beep and vibrate, At night or in bad weather, farmer without using GNSS.”
asthma patients in particular.

news
Gaming wearable monitors biometric

responses to alter in-game experience
French start-up, Ironova, has released a by the company’s proprietary
gaming wearable that incorporates a ‘EmotionSense’ algorithms and
range of biometric sensors allowing communicated to the user’s iOS or
game developers to use the data to modify Android Bluetooth 4.0 (and later)
the gaming experience according to the smartphone or tablet using a Nordic
player’s emotional state. nRF52832 Bluetooth Low Energy
For example, if the player’s heart rate is System-on-Chip (SoC). The wearable is
elevated and they are perspiring, their also compatible with Bluetooth 4.0 (and
in-game field of vision could be reduced later)-enabled PCs and MacOS platforms.
or become clouded, representing The Ankkoro wearable is powered by a
anxiety or panic. Conversely, if the rechargeable Li-Poly battery, providing up
player is calm and has a normal resting to one week’s battery life between recharge,
heart rate, their in-game gestures thanks in part to the ultra low power
could be made more precise. consumption of the Nordic SoC. The
The ‘Ankkoro’ wearable incorporates a wearable’s application programming
range of biometric sensors including a interface (API) is available to developers on
Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensor to a subscription basis, while Ironova also
measure perspiration, a heart rate monitor, a The Ankkoro offers a free, open source software
skin temperature sensor, as well as an wearable development kit (SDK) which helps
incorporates
accelerometer and haptic vibration motor. a range of developers incorporate Ironova’s technology
The captured biometric data is processed biometric sensors into gameplay.
Nordic and Premier Farnell sign global distribution deal

Nordic Semiconductor has signed a new that enables their chips to be used in
worldwide distribution agreement with even the most cost-sensitive consumer
Premier Farnell, the U.K.-based global products.
distributor of electronics components “With the Internet of Things driving
and design services. democratization of design and the
Premier Farnell has more than 3500 emergence of new start-ups with
employees across 38 countries—with six market-changing offerings, Nordic
global distribution centers—and will Semiconductor represents a key
supply Nordic’s complete range of addition to our portfolio.”
ultra-low power wireless connectivity “Premier Farnell is a well-respected
hardware, firmware, development tools, distributor with a focus on developer
and reference designs, including the support,” says Morten Staale, Nordic
recently launched nRF52840 System- Semiconductor, Distribution Sales
Premier Farnell will supply Nordic’s complete
on-Chip (SoC). range of wireless connectivity solutions
Manager for Europe. “This profile
“Premier Farnell seeks to provide its matches Nordic Semiconductor’s
customers with an exceptional range of Meadmore, Global Head of Semiconductor requirement to make its Bluetooth 5
market-leading products coupled with at Premier Farnell. “Nordic’s solutions and other low power wireless
a high level of support as they develop provide class-leading levels of wireless connectivity solutions available to the
their products for market,” says Simon performance and sophistication at a price widest audience.”
Module enables IoT gateways Smart security lifts home automation

Taiwan-based InnoComm Mobile Technology Corporation has Increasing smart security adoption—particularly smart entry
In brief
released its ‘CM05 BLE-Wi-Fi Module’ combining Nordic’s solutions—will drive home automation and monitoring revenues
nRF52832 System-on-Chip (SoC) with Wi-Fi to ease the from an estimated $12 billion in 2018 to over $45 billion by 2023,
development of Internet of Things (IoT) gateways for smart- representing a growth of over 260 percent, according to a new
home and industry applications. By combining the wireless report by analyst Juniper Research. Driving growth, the report
technologies into one device, the developer claims to have said, is consumer desire for solutions that are easy to set-up
eliminated the cost and complexity of working with separate and do not require monitoring. Home-contents insurers are also
Bluetooth Low Energy and Wi-Fi modules. The compact module driving demand because the systems enable them to add value to
is said to enable developers to reduce gateway size, decrease existing client relationships, generate customer loyalty, and offer
production costs, and speed time-to-market. discounts on insurance premiums.

news
Bluetooth Low Energy smartwatch

platform accelerates time-to-market
Geneva, Switzerland-based 4.0 (and later) smartphones or
MMT SWISSCONNECT, has tablets. Through these SP
launched a development companion apps, users are able
platform for smartwatch to access their personal data and
manufacturers to help them sensor information, as well as
rapidly develop and build configure their watch features
connected devices. The and Cloud account.
company’s ‘Smartwatch Platform “The Nordic SoC offers the
(SP)’ comprises a Nordic ideal wireless connectivity
nRF51822 SoC-based watch solution for our Smartwatch
module, watch firmware, iOS and Platform by providing low power
Android apps, Cloud consumption, powerful
management, manufacturing, microprocessor capabilities, an
and service applications. ultra compact package, and a
According to the company, SP software architecture that
brings the benefits of simplifies application code
smartwatch technology development,” says Philippe
to watch manufacturers Fraboulet, CEO of the company.
that may have limited or Smartwatch technology for “In turn, that enables us to offer
no wireless connectivity manufacturers with no wireless the only complete turn-key
connectivity experience
experience. The product solution for connected
makes it easy for watch sensors (for example, compass, smartwatches to prestigious
manufacturers to UV indicator, and temperature), brands such as Frederique
incorporate features activity/sleep display, Cloud Constant, Alpina, and others.”
and functions such as backup, and restoring user data. MMT is now porting its
activity tracking, sleep The platform also supports platform to Nordic’s nRF52832
monitoring, active Bluetooth Low Energy SoC in order to improve power
coaching, smart alarms, connectivity between the watch autonomy, processing power,
support for outdoor and apps hosted on Bluetooth and RF connectivity.
nRF Connect for Cloud accelerates

development of Internet of Things designs
Nordic Semiconductor has announced the Cloud, historical data can be extracted from
launch of ‘nRF Connect for Cloud’, a free databases and analyzed in a browser. The
service for Cloud-based evaluation, test, product also allows engineers to monitor
and verification of Bluetooth Low Energy and interact with remote wireless Internet
(Bluetooth LE) designs employing Nordic’s of Things (IoT) designs enabling the
nRF51 and nRF52 Series Bluetooth LE collaboration of geographically separate
Systems-on-Chip (SoCs). development teams on a single project.
nRF Connect for Cloud features an nRF Connect for Cloud is supported by
intuitive workflow and offers much of the the ‘nRF Gateway App’ available for iOS and
functionality of Nordic’s ‘nRF Connect for Android-powered mobile devices. The nRF
Desktop’ and ‘nRF Connect for Mobile’ Gateway App enables Nordic Bluetooth LE
which are popular applications used for devices to use a smartphone-enabled
building and developing Bluetooth LE Internet gateway to convert Bluetooth LE
products. messages to ReST/MQTT/IP protocols for
nRF Connect for Cloud also supports an Cloud interoperability.
extensive range of standard Bluetooth “nRF Connect for Cloud shortens the
services together with proprietary services previously time-consuming migration from
such as nRF UART. device-to-smartphone to device-to-Cloud
nRF Connect for Cloud enables developers to
Operating with all popular browsers, nRF test and modify the performance of prototypes connectivity and simplifies integration of
Connect for Cloud uses Web Bluetooth Nordic wireless products into the larger
application programming interfaces (APIs) modify the behavior and performance of systems that make up the IoT,” says John
to push and extract data to and from the prototypes. By using the front-end and Leonard, Product Marketing Manager,
Cloud, enabling the developer to test and visualization features of nRF Connect for Nordic Semiconductor.

ULP WIRELESS TRENDS
The latest developments in technology
The beacons track

how long patients
and staff interact
Hospital beacons
track interactions
COURTESY: SAMARITAN
Japan’s Nagoya University Hospital has
launched a smart hospital pilot project at
Samaritan is giving its Medical IT Center that uses Bluetooth
homeless people a
hand through wireless Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) beacons to
technology capture the vital signs and whereabouts of
patients, and location of medical staff.
The pilot has two objectives, the first is
Beacon tech provides a financial to track the locations of staff members and
understand where they go, as well as how
helping hand to Seattle’s homeless they interact with patients. Second, the
pilot aims to capture a patient’s vital signs
A Seattle-based start-up has developed a mobile platform called ‘Samaritan’ that enables
and his or her identity and location.
the city’s residents to provide immediate financial assistance to people experiencing
The project aims to understand how
homelessness, without directly handing over cash.
well the technology can measure nurses’
The social enterprise launched its pilot in September 2016, and has to date assisted more
responses to patient needs and the
than 500 homeless people via the contributions of nearly 7000 Seattle residents. Those in
subsequent treatment patients receive.
need can share their story and have their photo taken, the details of which are loaded onto
According to Shintaro Oyama, a
a small Bluetooth Low Energy beacon keyfob—along with a $10 starting donation—which is
researcher at the hospital, his team
retained by the individual.
considered using Wi-Fi or magnetic
If a city resident has the Samaritan app and passes within 25 meters of a beacon holder,
detection-based systems, but felt the
a notification will pop up on their phone enabling them to read the beacon holder’s story
system required the location precision that
and make a donation. The beacon serves as a digital wallet and ID, giving the person the
Bluetooth LE technology offers.
choice to spend the money with the help of a counselor, or directly at a partnered merchant
The hospital is using sensor-based
for what they need to survive or leave the street. Samaritan does not collect location data, a
Bluetooth LE beacon wristbands, each
privacy concern of many beacon holders, and makes its money from a scaled fee on top of
device tracking vital signs in addition
the donation.
to location data, and transmitting that
According to the start-up, city-going app users are currently investing more than $2,500
data to fixed beacon receivers installed
per month into Samaritan beacon holders, a number that’s growing. With an estimated
in the ceilings of each hospital room. The
societal and state saving of $40,000 per year for every person that successfully leaves the
software identifies the location of both
street, Samaritan has received preorders for its platform from New York City and Austin.
patients and staff.
Bluetooth LE device turns smartphones into dive computers

A group of South Korean entrepreneurs has decompression stops required when
This device is
developed an inexpensive device that ascending. It also uses the phone’s compass
waterproof to a
converts existing smartphones into dive depth of 60m to show divers their current heading.
computers. Known as the ‘Diveroid mini’, the When users are taking photos or shooting
device is waterproof down to 60 meters, and video with the phone’s camera, the app
is designed to be mounted on popular automatically adjusts the white balance in
underwater smartphone housings, offering a order to compensate for the loss of perceived
large full color screen dive computer without color that occurs at depth. And when the dive
the expensive price tag. is over, instead of manually transcribing all
Powered by a replaceable coin cell battery, the data over to a log book, users can just
the device measures both depth and water user’s smartphone. The app tracks the dive instruct the app to transfer everything to its
temperature, and using Bluetooth Low statistics including duration, depth, and own built-in log. They can also use the app to
Energy wireless connectivity transmits that temperature, and calculates and displays share information about their dive direct to
data to the partner iOS or Android app on the important information such as social media.

NEWS EXTRA
Zigbee support expands Nordic’s

offering for smart-home applications
The nRF52840 SoC now features the mature Zigbee mesh-networking RF protocol in
addition to Bluetooth 5 and Thread
T
he home-automation Today’s smart home plays host to multiple Bluetooth beacons for location
sector is big business. low-power wireless technologies identification. The Software
The market is predicted Development Kit (SDK) for use
to be worth a healthy with the nRF52840 SoC Zigbee
$52.45 billion by 2022, according solution includes several examples
to analyst statista. Several low- including concurrent operation
power RF protocols are fighting of Zigbee and Bluetooth 5 for a
for dominance with Bluetooth smart light bulb and switch.
Low Energy (Bluetooth LE), Zigbee is a global, standards-
Thread, and Zigbee among the based wireless solution that
leading contenders. Each claims operates globally in 2.4GHz
an advantage. Bluetooth LE unlicensed bands (and other
is interoperable with most of frequency bands in some
today’s smartphones, providing geographical zones). Raw data
consumers with a convenient throughput rates of 250kbps
and familiar interface to control can be achieved at 2.4GHz (16
their home-automation products. channels) and transmission
Thread is relatively new but has distances range from 10 to 100
been purpose-designed for meters, depending on power
smart-home applications and is output and environmental
backed by a powerful grouping characteristics. The technology
including Nest (part of Alphabet, supports large mesh networks
the parent company of Google). (which allow nodes to relay
For its part, Zigbee is a mature messages to other nodes)
technology that’s particularly
suited to the mesh networking
System-on-Chip (SoC), now
forms the foundation for the
“The Zigbee Alliance and low power operation for
extending battery life.
implementations favored for company’s first Zigbee solution. is privileged to gain Established in 2002, the
home-automation systems such
as smart lights and security. (See Versatile offering
Nordic’s valuable Zigbee Alliance is a non-profit
association of members that
ULP WQ Winter 2017, pg9.) The introduction allows industry insight and has created a thriving global
With no dominant wireless
technology emerging, many
developers to take advantage of
all three of the most popular low-
expertise” ecosystem.
The Zigbee Alliance states
OEMs have taken a hybrid power RF protocols and extends Sales & Marketing. “Zigbee is that the technology is a global,
approach for their home- Nordic’s portfolio of mesh- one of those leading standards, standards-based wireless
automation end products. networking products for smart particularly in the home and solution that can conveniently
For example, some products home, enterprise, and industry industrial automation sector. and affordably control the
employ Thread technology for applications to Bluetooth mesh The introduction of a certified, widest range of devices to
communication between network (see ULP WQ Autumn 2017, pg8), concurrent support solution improve comfort, security, and
nodes and Bluetooth LE for node- Thread (see ULP WQ Winter for Zigbee and Bluetooth 5 on convenience for consumers. It
to-smartphone communication 2017, pg8), and Zigbee. The our high-end multiprotocol is the technology of choice for
to ease configuration. The lack first engineering release of the chip provides developers with world-leading service providers,
of a clear winner is also leading Zigbee solution is available now complete flexibility in their installers, and retailers who bring
to collaboration between with a production-grade Zigbee wireless Internet of Things [IoT] the benefits of the IoT into the
organizations. For example, 3.0-certified release planned for designs.” smart home.
encouraged by the use of an the second half of 2018. The nRF52840 SoC uses “Our membership is privileged
identical physical layer (PHY) Nordic is part of the Bluetooth a ‘Dynamic Multiprotocol’ to gain Nordic’s valuable industry
for their RF protocol stacks, the Special Interest Group (SIG), technology which enables insight and expertise,” said Victor
Thread and Zigbee groupings are Thread Group, and Zigbee concurrent communication Berrios, VP Technology for the
working on a common protocol Alliance. using Bluetooth 5 and Zigbee Zigbee Alliance, in a statement.
to allow their technologies to “Nordic’s strategy is to support (or Thread). The Dynamic “By adding Zigbee to its new
interoperate. (See this issue pg16.) the leading standards-based Multiprotocol enables, for software development kit,
Nordic Semiconductor’s low power wireless protocols example, interaction with a Zigbee Nordic is expanding the reach
nRF52840, a Bluetooth on its silicon and through its smart lighting network from a of its product while providing
5-compliant and Thread development tools,” says Geir smartphone via Bluetooth 5, or additional design choice for IoT
1.1-certified multiprotocol Langeland, Nordic’s Director of a Zigbee security network using product manufacturers.” 

comment
The many wireless faces of IIoT

Companies shouldn’t wait for a winner in the wireless technology battle before
embracing Industrial IoT, advises Svein-Egil Nielsen
Svein-Egil Nielsen
is CTO of Nordic
Semiconductor
A
ccording to a recent
Forbes article, Rolls-
Royce used the
Internet of Things (IoT)
to improve jet-engine efficiency
and save up to $250,000 per
plane a year in fuel, Royal Dutch
Shell realized a $1M return on an
$87,000 investment in a remote
IoT-based asset monitoring and
maintenance solution across
oil fields in West Africa, and
Harley Davidson grew overall
profitability by between 3 to 4
percent by shifting production to
a fully IoT-enabled plant.
With cost and efficiency
savings like these, industrial
IoT (IIoT) will impact every
organization’s business model.
But implementing IIoT is not easy;
one of the most challenging parts Companies face a tough choice for their IIoT requirements as no single wireless technology fits every application
of the process is deciding which
wireless technologies are best the technology is likely to be there “It’s not a good in turn won’t necessarily be
suited to the network. It’s likely tomorrow. On the downside, ideal for a large-scale smart city
to be a combination of several standards governing bodies can policy for a company installation. Nonetheless, wireless
because no single technology be bureaucratic, which can slow to wait around for technologies evolve because
meets all the communication the standard’s development, the demands of the applications
demands. place a drag on innovation, and a ‘golden’ wireless they were created to serve
Wireless standards relevant introduce obstacles that make it technology to change. This is why no single
to the IIoT come in two broad harder for new or smaller entrants wireless technology will solve
categories: standards-based to gain traction.
appear and solve all all of the IIoT’s challenges: every
(for example LTE-M/NB-IoT, In contrast, proprietary its IIoT problems” application will almost certainly
Bluetooth, Thread, and Zigbee) wireless technologies have a require a combination of wireless
and proprietary (such as Z-Wave, much smaller pool of available keyboards were connected to technologies and those that do
Sigfox, and LoRa). talent and resources to draw computers. And Wi-Fi got started not learn to play nicely together
The key difference between upon, carry the risks associated to overcome the installation are going to struggle to succeed.
the two is that standards-based with any monopoly, and tend to expense and complexity of That means it’s not a good
technologies are developed, remain niche. On the plus side, hard-wired Ethernet networks policy for a company to wait
licensed, and controlled by however, their lack of governing- used to link desktop computers. around for a ‘golden’ wireless
alliances or special interest groups body inertia can make the firms Such specialization is why some technology to appear and solve
comprising many commercial driving the technology quicker wireless technologies are better all its IIoT problems. Rather a firm
companies, whereas proprietary to respond to changes in market suited to certain use-cases should focus on solving today’s
technologies are owned (and demand. than others in terms of cost, IIoT challenge by choosing the
promoted) by a single company. ubiquity, reliability, throughput, best of contemporary wireless
Because they are collaborative Playing nicely together range, power consumption, and technologies rather than trying
ventures, standards-based All wireless technologies were practicality. to predict which one will be
wireless technologies tend conceived to solve a specific But it also means what might dominant in a decade. Companies
to have a large pool of skilled engineering challenge in a specific work very well in, for example, a should pick what’s winning today
engineers and resources to draw sector. Bluetooth, for example, relatively low-volume medical but accept its leadership might
upon, encourage a sustainable was initially designed to eliminate environment won’t necessarily not always be assured and be
multivendor supply chain, and the tangle of wires created when work well in a high-speed ready to adapt if a better solution
give end-users confidence that PC peripherals such as mice and manufacturing application, which comes along. 

ANALYSIS
Childproofing the IoT for the

next generation of engineers
Computer scientists are using the Nordic-powered micro:bit in a project to better
understand privacy and security challenges for children engaging with connected devices
I
f the Internet of Things (IoT) is to in the U.K. with an IoT-ready,
fulfil its potential, it won’t be the programmable handheld
current generation of working computer dubbed the “micro:bit”.
engineers that make it happen, at At the heart of the micro:bit is
least not alone. Children, currently a single Nordic Semiconductor
of school age, who have an interest nRF51822 Bluetooth Low Energy
in science and electronics will be (Bluetooth LE) System-on-Chip
our future engineers, and five or (SoC), featuring an Arm Cortex
ten years from now will be key to M0 processor where the school
the IoT’s success. child-created software code runs,
To that end, child advocacy and that also allows the device
groups, educators, developers, to both wirelessly communicate
and researchers in the U.K. are with other micro:bits, and sync to
currently working together on a The BBC micro:bit was or be updated from smartphones,
project which aims to discover designed to help children tablets, and computers via
how children would use IoT prepare for a safe and Bluetooth.
secure IoT-based future
devices and what privacy and
security challenges might arise Privacy by design
from those future interactions. Cutting-edge technologies come are programming IoT devices, For a device specifically
It is hoped the ‘Childproofing with exciting opportunities, we can start to uncover the risks designed to help prepare young
the Internet of Things’ (IoT4Kids) but also new risks, according and create strategies to educate people for an IoT-based future,
project will help establish to Finney. “There is a risk of children around those risks. In the privacy by design approach
guidelines for young people to IoT devices being used for the effect, we are defining a ‘privacy was central to the micro:bit
safely engage with IoT devices invasion of privacy, or for covertly by design’ approach that allows project from the start.
and develop the advanced tracking others, all of which can manufacturers to avoid risks in “The micro:bit was designed
computer literacy and core contribute to forms of abuse,” their future products. to make physical computing
programming skills they will he says. “We need to raise awareness as enjoyable and accessible
require in a rapidly evolving global “Moreover, children may of what privacy means, how data for children as possible, while
technology landscape. now even program devices is collected and where that data also addressing the concerns
The one-year project began in themselves that collect personal goes. We need more education around children’s safety and
November 2017 as a joint initiative data, yet they are not aware of on how IoT devices could be security when using connected
involving the National Society what data is collected and where hacked and the risks children and programmable devices,”
for the Prevention of Cruelty to the data is going.” might expose themselves to if says John Leonard, Product
Children (NSPCC), the Family the devices were to be hacked,” Marketing Manager at Nordic
Online Safety Institute (FOSI), Exploring risks says Finney. Semiconductor.
and the Micro:bit Educational How then do we ensure The involvement of the “Some connectivity features
Foundation, with funding tomorrow’s digital innovators Micro:bit Educational Foundation have a special focus on security
provided by PETRAS IoT Hub and can explore the enormous in the IoT4Kids project was aspects, which in some cases
research conducted by computer potential of connected devices a natural evolution for an meant a limiting of certain
scientists, including Joe Finney, whilst remaining protected from organization founded around functionality,” adds Leonard. “For
Co-Investigator for the IoT4Kids associated cybersafety risks? a 2016 British Broadcasting example, the device board is not
project, at Lancaster University in “Research programs such as Corporation (BBC) project to equipped with Ethernet or Wi-Fi
the U.K. the IoT4Kids project provide provide every year-7 schoolchild and therefore does not facilitate
“We are progressing to a a platform to explore some of direct connectivity to the
A million Nordic-powered
world where the IoT is becoming the potential risks and take a micro:bits were given away in 2016 Internet, while minor restrictions
commonplace; in fact it is proactive approach to identifying were made around pairing the
widely believed that less than the potential privacy and security micro:bit to a smartphone via the
one percent of computer concerns, such that we may then Bluetooth Low Energy link.”
processors now reside in minimize their impact,” says Finney. Finney, who also worked on
devices that look like traditional “We have seen with current the development of the micro:bit,
computers,” explains Finney. technologies that strategies for concurs: “The safety of children
“We must therefore prepare the safeguarding children were only was the engineers’ highest
next generation of citizens to put in place after incidents had priority—above the traditional
understand, create, and innovate already occurred. By speculating requirements of cost, efficiency,
within this world.” a future where many children and functionality.” 

ANALYSIS
Enterprise next for Bluetooth tech

Bluetooth wireless’ growth continues unabated and Low Energy technology leads
the way by opening up alternative markets. By Caroline Hayes
28 percent compound annual
Caroline Hayes
is a U.K.-based
growth rate (CAGR) over the
technology next five years. And in the home,
journalist Bluetooth-based consumer
T
robots, to vacuum homes and
his year, nearly four billion mow lawns, are forecast to reach
devices with Bluetooth nearly 80 million in the same year.
technology will ship Another significant area for
worldwide, finding uses Bluetooth-connected devices
in factories, homes, offices, trans- is smart industry, where sensor
portation systems, and helping networks can lower equipment
support our wireslessly-connect- downtime by enabling
ed future. predictive maintenance, as well
Initially, Bluetooth technology as track assets and output in
was used primarily for audio manufacturing environments.
streaming, and later in applications Bluetooth smart-industry devices
such as wireless speakers and are expected to increase by a
in-car infotainment systems. The Bluetooth LE chip shipments are factor of seven between 2017 and
2010 introduction of Bluetooth being lifted by new enterprise 2022 to push LE chip shipments
Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) wearable applications, including to 253 million per annum.
extended the wireless technology the healthcare sector In the home, there are two
to low-throughput data transfer streams promoting growth.
applications in sports and Bluetooth LE is also enabling Bluetooth mesh, a new One is the increase in wirelessly-
healthcare devices, computing new markets. For example, by development for Bluetooth LE connected appliances, toys, and
peripherals, and accessories. using a broadcast topology, introduced in mid-2017 (see entertainment devices, the other
Today, the Internet of Things the technology can be used ULP WQ Autumn 2017, pg10) is the use of mesh technology
(IoT) is significantly multiplying for location and asset-tracking and targeting smart-building for home-automation systems to
demand for Bluetooth LE chips. In in hospitals and factories, and networks, is also predicted to control lighting and heating as
its forecasting report, Bluetooth beacon-based indoor navigation drive chip sales. The technology well as security cameras and door
Market Update 2018, the Bluetooth to guide visitors around an area will make it easier to configure, locks. Lighting is expected to be a
SIG predicts that in 2022, around or send retail information to their monitor, and automate building leading use case with 54 percent
5.2 billion Bluetooth chips will be smartphones. These so-called systems—such as lighting, CAGR predicted over the next five
shipped, up from 3.6 billion in 2017. location services are expected to heating, ventilation & air years. Overall, home-automation
Today, 85 percent of Bluetooth increase more than four-fold, from conditioning (HVAC), occupancy, products will use 505 million
chips include LE technology, 13 a relatively low base, boosting and security—to optimize a Bluetooth LE chips a year by
percent of which are Bluetooth chip shipments from 90 million in building’s energy use, and reduce 2022, up from 152 million this year.
LE-only chips of the kind found in 2018 to 400 million by 2022. operating and maintenance costs. Different applications demand
smart devices such as wearables, The report notes that building different capabilities from the
lighting, and PC peripherals. In these networks is expected to Bluetooth LE chip. A PC mouse
2022, 97 percent of Bluetooth boost chip shipments in the is a simple application requiring
chips will include LE technology sector from 170 million in 2018 to a low-cost wireless chip. A
of which some 33 percent will 520 million by 2022. more complex application such
be Bluetooth LE-only devices. It as smart lighting demands a
seems the battery-friendly variant Accelerating connectivity mid-level chip while a complex
is proving quite a hit. Market sectors where Bluetooth product such as a premium
LE is already established are set wearable demands a high-end
Key market expansion to exhibit good growth through Bluetooth LE chip to support its
Courtesy: Bluetooth SIG
Bluetooth LE chip shipments diversification. Wearables, for sophisticated operation.

are being boosted across a example, will extend into the Nordic Semiconductor offers
range of product sectors. For enterprise sector in the form proven solutions for Bluetooth
example, shipments of Bluetooth of smart glasses and wearable LE application. Its nRF52 Series,
LE-powered products in the scanners for workers. Over 100 supports the Bluetooth 5, and
key markets of sports & fitness, million enterprise wearable ranges from the entry-level
health & wellness, and peripherals devices are expected to ship in nRF52810 SoC, through the mid-
& accessories are forecast 2022. Elsewhere, specialized range nRF52832, up to the high-
to increase from 850 million By 2022, 97 percent of Bluetooth healthcare wearables—providing end nRF52840. Each device is
chips will support Low Energy and
shipments in 2018 to 850 million LE-only devices will exhibit the continuous updates on patients’ price/performance optimized for
in 2022. fastest growth of all conditions—will increase by a particular set of applications. 

ulp PRODUCT selection guide
Ultra low power wireless connectivity solutions

Wireless IC Type On-Chip
Protocol
Operating Band
Bluetooth Low Energy
On-chip Balun
2.4GHz Proprietary
ICs
System-on-Chip
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5
Transceiver
NFC-A tag
802.15.4
MPU
Thread
Zigbee
2-Wire
DSP
FPU
Memory Clocks
PA
CPU
ANT
Adc
nRF52 Series
nRF52840 2.4GHz ARM 1MB Flash

64MHz / 32kHz
Cortex-M4 256kB RAM
nRF52832 2.4GHz ARM 512kB or 256kB Flash

Cortex-M4

64kB or 32kB RAM
64MHz / 32kHz
nRF52810 2.4GHz ARM 192kB Flash

64MHz / 32kHz
Cortex-M4 24kB RAM
nRF51 Series
nRF51822 2.4GHz 128kB or 256kB Flash

Cortex M0 16MHz / 32kHz
32kB or 16kB RAM
nRF51422 2.4GHz 128kB or 256kB Flash

32kB or 16kB RAM
nRF51824 2.4GHz 256kB Flash and

16kB RAM
nRF8000 Series
nRF8001 2.4GHz – – 16MHz / 32kHz
nRF24AP Series
nRF24AP2-1CH 2.4GHz – – 16MHz / 32kHz
nRF24AP2-8CH 2.4GHz – – 16MHz / 32kHz
nRF24AP2-USB 2.4GHz – – 16MHz
nRF24L Series
nRF24LE1 2.4GHz 16kB + 1.5kB Flash

8051 16MHz / 32kHz
1kB + 256B RAM
nRF24LE1 OTP 2.4GHz 16kB + 1kB OTP

8051 16MHz / 32kHz
1kB + 256B RAM
nRF24LU1+ 2.4GHz 16/32kB Flash

8051 16MHz
2kB + 256B RAM
nRF24LU1+ OTP 2.4GHz 16kB + 1kB OTP

8051 16MHz
2kB + 256B RAM
nRF24L01+ 2.4GHz – – 16MHz
nRF24 Series
nRF2460 (mono) 2.4GHz – – 16MHz
nRF900 Series
433 /
nRF9E5 868 8051 4kB + 256B RAM 4 / 8 / 12 / 16 / 20MHz
915MHz
433 /
nRF905 868 – – 4 / 8 / 12 / 16 / 20MHz
915MHz

Find the chip you need using this latest listing of every Nordic product
Peripherals Applications
WLCSP
Wafer-level
Consumer Electronics
Automotive Graded
Temperature Sensor
Analog Comparator
Ref. Designs Dev Tools
Wireless Charging
Gaming / VR + AR
Sports & Fitness
chip-scale
Real Time Clock
Mesh Networks
ARM CryptoCell
PC Peripherals
Smart Home
Automation
Healthcare
Wearables
package
Beacon
TRng
Uart
Pwm
option
QSpi
PDM
Toys
Usb
Aes
Spi
I2s
Single Board Dev Kit,

-
Power Profiler Kit
PC Desktop, Smart Remote,

Smartphone Demo Apps Power Profiler Kit,
Nordic Thingy:52
-
Power Profiler Kit
PC Desktop, Smart Remote, Single Board Dev Kit,

Smartphone Demo Apps, Beacon Dongle

Smartphone Demo Apps
Dongle

Smartphone Demo Apps Dongle
PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

Smartphone Demo Apps Prog. Kit
Smartphone Demo App ANT Dev Kit
Smartphone Demo App ANT Dev Kit
ANT USB Dongle ANT Dev Kit

R/C Toy Prog. Kit

R/C Toy Prog. Kit

R/C Toy Prog. Kit

R/C Toy Prog. Kit
– Eval Kit
Microphone nRFgo Dev Kit
– Eval Kit
– Eval Kit

TECHNICAL PERSPECTIVE
The Internet of Finns

Finland’s cellular LTE know-how and Norway’s ultra low power wireless experience
have combined to create a low power cellular modem for the IoT. By Peder Rand
Nordic’s cellular IoT R&D team comprises in part engineers who developed one of the best high-end LTE modems on the market
the unique demands of the IoT. who had started his career with to complement its Bluetooth
Peder Rand is Product Nordic built its reputation Nokia. When Nokia dropped LE products by enabling Cloud
Manager for Cellular
IoT with Nordic on proprietary ultra low power out of cellular modem design in connectivity. Cellular technology
Semiconductor wireless connectivity and in 2010, selling its assets to Renesas, was a perfect option.”
S
2010, Nordic’s expertise in this Heikkilä went too. The pattern was Bluetooth LE is ideal for local
uccess in the chip sector technology became part of the repeated when Broadcom bought area networks (LAN) but its short-
isn’t just about executing core specification for Bluetooth Renesas’ modem business for range and lack of TCP/IP Internet
a carefully considered 4.0, a new version of the popular $164 million in 2013. In mid-2014, interoperability demands a
and resourced strategy, short-range RF open standard Broadcom decided to focus its ‘gateway’—such as a smartphone
sometimes chance comes into play. which included a Low Energy investment elsewhere and closed or Wi-Fi router—to send data to
In 2014, Nordic Semiconductor element. Later, Nordic’s nRF51 the Oulu plant leaving Heikkilä the Cloud. For IoT applications,
was working out the next Series Bluetooth LE solutions looking for a new challenge. gateways introduce complexity,
step in its Internet of Things found favour with thousands of He was joined at the Nordic cost, and (depending on the
(IoT) strategy. Meanwhile, the manufacturers of IoT solutions, recruitment event by dozens technology) can compromise
high-tech workforce of Oulu, such as smart lights and smart of engineers with similar reliability. In contrast, cellular
in Finland’s north, was dusting locks, across the globe. backgrounds including some technology is secure, reliable,
itself down after a round of who had worked for Ericsson and enables Cloud connectivity
rationalization by silicon vendors. Search for talent (which moved out of the business without a gateway. (See ULP WQ
In parallel, the 3rd Generation By 2014, the company was in late 2014). In short, the talent Spring 2018, pg10.)
Partnership Project (3GPP), looking for experienced RF available represented the cream According to companies such
a collaboration of telecoms engineers to bolster its R&D of the world’s cellular engineering as telecoms equipment maker,
standard associations, was team tasked with introducing a expertise at that time. Ericsson, cellular IoT will rapidly
finalizing a specification that new generation of Bluetooth LE “I’d been responsible for expand to power 75 percent of
extended modem categories Systems-on-Chip (SoCs). News running 3G and 4G-modem the 1.8 billion LPWAN-connected
to include LTE products for low of the availability of a rare pool design teams for years,” explains devices in service by 2023.
power IoT applications. of talented cellular engineers just Heikkilä. “I was joined by four It turned out that Nordic
By early 2015 these three across the country’s border led to similarly-qualified colleagues at and Heikkilä’s group had been
independent events had come Nordic organizing a recruitment the recruitment event. We quickly thinking along similar lines
together to kickstart a design event in Oulu. (See ULP WQ realized that if Nordic was truly about cellular IoT. Nordic’s
project that culminated in the Spring 2016, pg16.) ambitious about its IoT strategy senior management backed
launch of Nordic Semiconductor’s Over 200 engineers turned it needed to consider a long- development of an LTE-based
nRF91 Series, a low power, ultra- up, including Juha Heikkilä, a range but low power wireless product line for IoT applications.
compact cellular module suited to veteran 3G and 4G LTE engineer area network [LPWAN] solution By January 2015, Heikkilä, newly
14 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter

installed as Nordic’s Finland across the globe.

General Manager and reporting to However, as a company new to
“We wanted to marry
Nordic’s CTO, Svein-Egil Nielsen, the carriers and integrators some
had assembled a team of 60 innovation with questions were raised about
Finnish LTE experts and opened experience to design a Nordic’s ability to make the grade.
a dedicated Nordic office in Oulu. product that exceeds But once the heritage of the
(The headcount today has risen to Finnish cellular engineering team
165 of which all are engineers bar
the specification and working for Nordic became clear,
two administration staff.) offers customers those doubts evaporated.
At around the same time flexibility to power any “The key to success isn’t just
the 3GPP formally released its in making a good job of the
specification for lower power
IoT application” engineering side of things,” says
category LTE. Later, as part of Heikkilä. “Yes, LTE engineering is
the subsequent Release 13, this very difficult, optimizing power
became LTE category M1 (LTE- consumption is very difficult,
M) and narrow band (NB)-IoT. and component integration is
The intention was to remove very difficult, but what’s also
complexity from the modem Juha Heikkilä worked for Nokia, Renesas, and Broadcom running 3G and 4G very difficult is making sure the
modem design teams. He now heads up Nordic’s LTE-M/NB-IoT group
hardware and encourage product can be manufactured in
development of low cost, low the ground up”. Bluetooth LE SoCs came into play. high volume using as little silicon
power devices for the LPWANs “It’s a completely new product This experience, explains Heikkilä, as possible with very high yields.
needed to service the IoT. The area. While you definitely need compressed the project timescales. “The nRF91 Series integrates
specification focused Nordic’s the high-end expertise, if the “We would have got there in the radio, application processor, Flash
Finnish team’s efforts on low power modem is based end,” he says, “but without that and RAM memory, and power
specifically developing LTE-M and on a previous design you can in-house expertise it would have management on the same die.
NB-IoT cellular products. be led down a road that leads taken much, much longer and This level of integration pushes
to compromises to meet the diverted resources away from the the envelope of high-volume,
Vision into reality constraints of the specification,” critical and intensive RF design.” high-yield silicon production.”
LTE modems present big says Heikkilä. “We wanted to While high-volume production
engineering challenges to design, embark on the project with no Extending cellular heritage is still some months away, the
put into production, and certify. pre-conceived ideas to marry Designing a low power LTE product’s development is very
The magnitude of the challenges innovation with experience modem is just the start. The cellular advanced and at a January 2018
makes cellular a business only and end up with a product that spectrum is licensed and regulated; event in Oslo, Nordic unveiled its
a few companies can afford. In exceeds the specification’s this is an operational advantage nRF91 Series to the world. (See
January 2015, the number of requirements and offers because it ensures quality-of- ULP WQ Spring 2018, pg8.)
global teams that were capable of customers flexibility to power any service, coexistence rules, and The success of the nRF91
designing a high-end LTE modem IoT application they can think of.” security, but it also means products Series will see Finland’s cellular
could be counted on the fingers One of the specification’s connecting with the networks must heritage—an essential foundation
of one hand. One of those teams constraints is power consumption; be certified by the cellular network of the five billion smartphones
now worked for Nordic. the modems must be designed to carriers. Certification is a daunting now in circulation—live on as a key
“Our team comprises in part run from small batteries for long prospect for companies entering enabler of tomorrow’s IoT. 
the engineers who developed one periods. This is where Nordic’s the sector. Nordic eased some of
of the best high-end LTE modems Trondheim R&D team’s decade the certification challenges with a This article was first published in
on the market when they worked of experience in minimizing the single variant capable of running ETNdigi (in Finnish) issuu.com/
for Broadcom,” explains Heikkilä. power consumption of Nordic’s on all the cellular frequencies used etndigi/docs/etndigi1_2018
“They have been working with
LTE from the very beginning.”
While LTE-M and NB-IoT
modems are simpler than high-
end, high data-throughput
cellular units, there’s no getting
away from the requirement
for extensive LTE expertise
when designing such products.
According to Heikkilä, the
expertise is even more vital for the
lower category products because
everything has to be highly-
optimized to meet the constraints
dictated by the specification.
The nRF91 Series is not a
stripped down high-end modem.
Some competitors have adopted
the stripped-down approach, but
A Nordic engineer checks the
Heikkilä explains that his preferred operation of the nRF91 Series SiP
methodology is to design “from
ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 15

Joining the Dot(dot)s with

Thread and Zigbee
RF protocols Thread and Zigbee join forces to create a single language that handles the
connectivity attributes of everyday objects. Graham Prophet reports
Graham Prophet is a The Bluetooth SIG champions its
former Editor of EDN technology’s mobile-device
Europe and a freelance interoperability because it offers
electronics journalist
consumers a familiar interface to
S
control Bluetooth LE home-
mart home. Connected automation networks
home. IoT in the home.
The concepts have
been around for some
time, and have developed into
healthy—if, thus far, sometimes
niche—markets for a list of
end-equipment makers. The
pace of adoption looks set to
accelerate with the increasing
use of voice command devices,
such as Amazon’s Echo and the
Apple HomePod. “Alexa, make
the lights in here brighter,” may
be the spur to boost installation
of the systems that give “Alexa”
the sensor data to know which
spaces are occupied, and
what the ambient conditions
are, together with the control
channels to switch ‘things’ on
and off. At the same time, new
developments in the technology
for wireless networking continue
to offer improved performance,
increased flexibility and greater
interoperability.
The appeal of reliable,
robust, and low power wireless
networks using mesh principles
has long been obvious, in both
the industrial and domestic takes hold in the industry; there basic elements—basically covers The Thread protocol was a later
environments. To succeed in is more than one concept of how the technology space. arrival on the low-power mesh
the latter, it is imperative that the idea might be set on course networking scene, with the
operation is simple, out-of- to become a successful product Standards mature Thread Group being constituted
the-box, and faultless. For the line; groupings and collaborations The basic ideas of low-power, in 2014; membership at its debut
homeowner, anything other than take root; and in a very short time, modest-data-rate RF protocols included names such as Arm,
simple set-up and consistent competing candidates vie to for wireless monitoring and Samsung, and Qualcomm. The
operation means a product become, ‘the standard’. control applications date back Thread protocol is structured
returned to the store. Similarly, When compared to some of the more than 20 years. The Zigbee around use of Internet Protocol
while early adopters might settle epic standards ‘wars’ that have Alliance was constituted in 2002 (IPv6 addressing) and uses the
for proprietary families of devices, marked the development of other and has developed a broad- 6LoWPAN standard; it therefore
the full potential of a market categories of technology-based ranging standard. It currently has employs IEEE 802.15.4 RF
sector can only be realized when products, low-power, short-range specifications that span a range hardware, as does Zigbee, with
products from multiple sources radio has spawned relatively few of application spaces including silicon available from multiple
can be used together. Standards such efforts, to the sector’s benefit. home automation lighting control, suppliers. The Thread Group
are required. Bluetooth, ANT, Zigbee, and and smart energy. Member presents the protocol as being
The sequence of events Thread—accompanied by a host of companies now have many specifically designed for the
triggering standards is familiar. proprietary and non-interoperable millions of products deployed in home automation space, with
The bright idea of the moment offerings using many of the same markets worldwide. built-in security using established
16 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter

IP-based techniques. It also claims standardization effort; Dotdot.

“battery-friendly” operation Dotdot represents a move to
and brings the technology to, extend standardization in the
“...use Internet standards with higher, application layers of the
constrained [limited-resource] stacks of existing standards.
embedded devices.” Dotdot is an effort to create a
Also present in the home- single language that handles the
automation networking space connectivity attributes of the
is Bluetooth, coming from a everyday objects that the IoT
different starting point, as it was aims to animate. It is an “open,
conceived to enable wireless common protocol” developed
point-to-point, device-to-device by Zigbee and using the IEEE
data links. Through its evolution 802.15.4-compliant physical layer
through Bluetooth Low Energy (PHY). At the same time, it runs on
(Bluetooth LE), Bluetooth Thread’s IP-based platform. (See
recently gained range and Figure 1.)
throughput enhancements (albeit Dotdot is not, therefore, a
not concurrently) in the latest new standard in its own right
iteration (Bluetooth 5) and mesh – the Zigbee positioning is
networking support with the that it is a “common layer for
Figure 1: Dotdot uses the
Bluetooth mesh 1.0 release. (See IoT [devices] with Thread as a IEEE 802.15.4-compliant
ULP WQ Autumn 2017, pg10.) The common platform”. Dotdot also physical layer and runs on
Bluetooth Special Interest Group isn’t a ground-up exercise but Thread’s IP-based platform
(SIG) reports market success is based on application-level
for its mesh network option in, features already present in the so that he or she can readily write generations of integrated circuits
in particular, the smart-lighting Zigbee specification – the Zigbee the interoperable, device-level in a particular technology space
sector. Bluetooth LE is supported Cluster Library (ZCL). ZCL, now code. While consumers will start build on experience gained; and
natively in all currently available “re-branded” as Dotdot, is a set to see the Dotdot brand name and integration levels increase. In
smartphones and tablets, which of commands and attributes, logo they will be less interested in early generations of a product
the Bluetooth SIG sees as an spanning multiple Zigbee profiles, hearing about the technical detail. line, there may be different silicon
advantage because it offers that a developer uses to construct For them, the essential attribute is for different firmware/software
consumers a familiar interface products that will interoperate that operation of their networked standards. When later iterations
for controlling wireless home- with products from other makers, devices will be simple, intuitive are taped out, the optimum choice
automation devices. or that will use Zigbee public and that everything “just works”. for configuring the feature set may
profiles (for example, Zigbee Standards wars are resolved be to produce a multiprotocol part
Creating a single language Smart Energy). In an analogy in a number of ways; there may that will accommodate all of the
Thread and Zigbee have not with the App Store model of be a process of attrition, with relevant protocols and standards
stood idle while the Bluetooth smartphone usage, Dotdot will some contenders disappearing; freeing the developer from the
SIG has enhanced its product for enable applications to run on any or one of collaboration and risk of narrowing his or her options
home-automation applications. suitable, and compliant, device. convergence. Help may also too soon.
Rather the groupings have The person who most needs come from the hardware part An example is Nordic’s
joined forces to champion a new visibility of Dotdot is the developer, of the equation. Successive nRF52840 multiprotocol
System-on-Chip (SoC) built
“The optimum choice for configuring the feature set may be to produce a around an ARM 32-bit Cortex-
multiprotocol part accommodating all the relevant protocols and standards” M4F microprocessor with 1MB
Flash and 256kB RAM. The chip
supports Bluetooth 5 and ANT,
in addition to configurable,
proprietary 2.4GHz operation.
Additionally, the nRF52840
includes an IEEE 802.15.4 PHY
to support any protocol based
on the standard. (See ULP WQ
Winter 2017, pg8.)
The chip is Thread 1.1-certified
(running the OpenThread stack)
and is accompanied by the
nRF5 Software Development Kit
(SDK) for Thread and Zigbee.
Concurrent operation between
the Zigbee/Thread and Bluetooth
LE environments enables
development of most flexible
Smart lighting is a key products to populate the next
sector for mesh-enabled
RF protocol standards generation of home, commercial,
and industrial networks. 
ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 17

BUSINESS BRIEFING
Beyond silicon, but

where next?
The semiconductor industry is reinventing itself as chip makers try to keep pace with
technology demands, particularly in the hotbed that is the IoT. ULP Wireless Q reports
I
n 2016 the Global Semiconductor it presented in 2016. The industry realized from a comprehensive and in particular in the creation of
Alliance (GSA) released has not stood still, but neither “silicon-to-services model”, end-to-end security offerings. The
a report, Charting a New have the challenges. particularly servicing the IoT. development of ‘tailored’ security
Course for Semiconductors, Earlier this year the GSA in The IoT installed base is technology—for example, secure
at the heart of which lay the concert with Rambus, a U.S.- expected to increase by between device management and low-
question of whether chipmakers based vendor of semiconductor 15 and 20 percent through 2020, cost security solutions—will allow
would be able to respond to the technology, released a follow- forecasts analyst McKinsey Global semiconductor companies to
four-pronged threat of slowing up report titled Monetizing Institute (MGI), with an annual secure a share of the value chain.
sales, tighter margins, product Semiconductors – From Silicon to economic impact of as much The report said building
commoditization, and industry Services. In it, the paper’s authors as $11 trillion by 2025 across security in at the design
consolidation. concede that the challenges facing multiple verticals, chiefly smart stage could not only help
To do so, the report said, the industry have intensified in cities, smart homes, medical and reduce potential IoT service
would require the industry to the intervening years. Among healthcare, and automotive. disruptions, but would also
identify and adopt a variety of continued merger and acquisition allow manufacturers to avoid
new business models, including (M&A) activity and eroding profit Security first the difficult and expensive
embracing open source hardware, margins, there are still as many If the MGI estimates are correct, endeavor of adding security
and exploiting the arrival of questions as answers. IoT security will present itself measures to IoT devices after
the industry’s potential next According to the report, while as both a major challenge and they have been deployed. It’s a
blockbuster technology platform new models for both R&D and opportunity for semiconductor philosophy adopted by Nordic
– the Internet of Things (IoT). revenue are needed, companies companies across the entire IoT Semiconductor and implemented
Two years on, and the concept of are beginning to acknowledge spectrum. in its Bluetooth Low Energy
open-source hardware is gaining the potential of According to the GSA report, (Bluetooth LE) solutions.
serious traction, while, according new markets and one opportunity for chip According to Pål Kastnes,
to the analysts, the IoT has moved downstream revenue vendors lies beyond the Technical Marketing Manager with
beyond the nascent opportunity opportunities provision of core technology, Nordic Semiconductor, connected
GSA suggests silicon suppliers need to

move beyond chips and into services

BUSINESS BRIEFING
product developers must: “Build to succeed in the IoT space. Not

devices based on security- least semiconductor companies,
hardened platforms and adopt and those employing Bluetooth
standard security controls. Select LE in particular.
the most secure platform as your “According to a May 2017
base on which to develop. Any Cisco report, three quarters of
connected product’s architecture IoT projects are failing,” says
should support the ability to patch, Zhao. “The new long range
quickly, and at scale.” Bluetooth Low Energy edge
routing capability solves many of
Becoming a service firm the failure points around the IoT
The 2016 and 2018 GSA reports namely connectivity, scalability,
Platform as a Service allows companies to introduce new business models
suggest the future for a pure complexity, and cost.
silicon company is limited. Rather, “Intelligent street lighting, artificial intelligence, big data, “Many of the other low power
suggest the organization, the chip responsive signage, and next- content delivery, and Cloud protocols lack a mature business
should be just the start, because gen Bluetooth beacons also integration processes across ecosystem. Though they may
helping customers build an end- require future-proofing to avoid home automation, smart city, and be deployed in the millions in
to-end solution is where the true constant physical maintenance industrial applications. some cases, building a mature
value lies. and upgrades,” the GSA report “The platform enables business ecosystem will take
Nordic has moved far down this says. “Therefore, silicon powering developers, software vendors, billions of dollars and several
road and now sees itself as much smart city infrastructure should and system integrators to not only years. By contrast, the Bluetooth
a service provider as a wireless be capable of supporting secure develop complex IoT applications ecosystem is much more mature
chip maker. The company has in-field feature configuration, and scenarios, but also efficiently and is already in place in the many
invested heavily in simplifying along with various PaaS-based connect the devices, and manage billions, and accelerating.”
wireless product development services such as advanced the device data,” says Mark Yang, Ben Corrado, CEO of U.S-based
for its customers with hardware analytics, predictive maintenance a specialist with Ali Cloud. wireless solution company Rigado
reference designs to ease the alerts, self-learning algorithms, So too Cassia Networks, who concurs: “Many manufacturers
complexities of RF design, and and intelligent, proactive last year released the E1000, the and integrators are now choosing
development kits which include interaction with customers.” first long-range, bidirectional Bluetooth Low Energy for their
software examples of the most It’s an opportunity not lost on Bluetooth IoT edge processing Commercial IoT applications—
common applications. Further, Nordic’s diverse customer base. router for the IoT enterprise such as asset tracking and smart
the recent launch of its Nordic Alibaba Cloud IoT, a business unit market. Cassia Networks CEO, lighting—and new Bluetooth 5
Thingy:52 IoT Development Kit of e-commerce giant Alibaba’s Felix Zhao, said enterprise IoT features make it an even more
enables an app developer with subsidiary company Alibaba deployments were by their very attractive option,” says Corrado.
no firmware coding expertise Cloud, late last year launched nature expensive and complex, “But using Bluetooth 5 for large-
or high-level development tools ‘Alibaba Cloud Link’, a partly and companies that could deliver scale IoT deployments requires a
to design, configure, test, and Nordic-powered secure IoT solutions that reduced cost and solution that addresses flexibility,
demonstrate IoT devices. platform for Cloud computing, complexity were well positioned interoperability, and security.”
Which is precisely what Rigado
Smart homes and cities has done with its new ‘Edge
If a shift from silicon to services Connectivity Suite’, a device-to-
has the potential to deliver Cloud solution for reducing the
greater growth across the cost and risk of commercial IoT
semiconductor industry, then deployments, employing Nordic’s
smart homes and smart cities high-end nRF52840 System-on-
loom large as key verticals, Chip (SoC). “We are positioning
according to the GSA report. our Edge Connectivity Suite
These verticals offer recurring as the solution to a growing
revenue streams. For example, a market need at the center of
silicon-to-services based vendor, two powerful trends - low power
instead of just offering smart- wireless adoption for commercial
meter technology, could instead IoT and edge computing at scale.”
sell a platform offering energy As the GSA report says,
management services to utility in 2018 the semiconductor
companies, with companies industry continues to seek a
paying for meaningful and return to stability and organic
actionable customer information growth, but to do so will need
on a subscription basis. the opportunities that lie within
Similarly, the report said, a more comprehensive silicon
chips embedded in IoT smart to services business paradigm.
city infrastructure could offer Specific strategies will vary, but
semiconductor companies, and the industry is on the front foot.
indeed their customers, the
opportunity to implement a long- Further information: The GSA’s
term Platform as a Service (PaaS) Nordic and Rigado have brought together the Edge Connectivity Suite and report is available from the its
model. the Nordic Thingy:52 to make development of IoT products easier website at gsaglobal.org. 

CASE STUDY
Wireless tech helps farmers keep

track of foraging animals
Using satellite navigation and Bluetooth LE connectivity, the ‘Nofence’ collar offers
farmers an IoT solution to secure and track grazing animals. Kalon Huett explains
“For instance if a collar is lost it is
Kalon Huett is The ‘Nofence’ collar recognizes possible to press a button in the
an Australia- virtual boundary lines and warns a
based freelance app that makes the collar play a
goat if it strays beyond them
journalist song, allowing it to be located.
W
We are also looking into mesh
hile the rapid networking between collars so
advancement that they can cooperate on data
of the Internet transfer. This would enable most
of Things of the collars to do without a
(IoT) is removing barriers to SIM card because they would
the development of digitally transfer data over Bluetooth Low
intelligent devices across various Energy with just a few collars then
industries, one IoT innovation in accessing the cellular network.”
the farming sector is removing According to Berntsen,
the barriers entirely - in this case, Nofence has the potential
the fences previously required to to provide greater flexibility
secure grazing animals. to farmers and, in general,
Designed by Norwegian relayed back to the farmer’s receiver is disabled, and the encourage more sustainable
agricultural technology company, smartphone via a cellular network. collar continues to relay the farming methods. For example,
Nofence, the eponymous virtual The farmer even receives a animal’s location to the farmer’s Nofence allows farmers to: select
fencing system consists of a direct smartphone notification smartphone, via the beacon, pasture boundaries based on the
solar-powered global navigation if anything unexpected occurs using Bluetooth LE connectivity qualities of the land rather than its
satellite system (GNSS) collar, and or there is reason to check on a provided by the Nordic SoC. convenience for fencing; replace
a digital map on the Nofence iOS specific goat; for example, when “The ultra low power time spent maintaining fences
and Android app for Bluetooth the goat might have become consumption of the Nordic chip with time spent looking after
4.0 (or later) smartphones or stuck, escaped, or been taken was the most important feature animals; utilize non-arable land
tablets. The app allows the farmer by a wild animal. This means the of Bluetooth LE functionality for for feeding animals and use arable
to draw a virtual boundary line farmer is simultaneously able to the collar, but we are constantly land for growing food for human
indicating the area of pasture land update virtual boundary lines, looking at other ways to use the consumption; and generate
where the herd of grazing animals monitor individual animals in the Nordic SoC in the system,” says alternative sources of income,
should remain. The system was herd, and respond to incidents. Oscar Hovde Berntsen, Nofence such as renting out goats to help
initially designed for goats, but Founder and CTO. clear wooded areas.
will eventually be developed for Bluetooth LE to the fore In terms of growth potential,
other animals, including cows. In addition to the GNSS receiver, the future for the Nofence
When properly facilitated by each collar is also equipped with system looks promising. “We are
an experienced farmer, if the Nordic’s nRF52832 Bluetooth developing Nofence collars to
GNSS-enabled collar discovers Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) be viable for all grazing animals,
a goat straying beyond the System-on-Chip (SoC), to especially cattle and sheep,” says
virtual boundary, the collar will address key weaknesses of the Berntsen. 
immediately vibrate and make a GNSS receiver – notably battery
beeping sound, thereby warning life and loss of signal.
the goat it needs to turn back to Since farm animals, particularly
familiar pastures. goats, often seek refuge in a
The success of the Nofence barn or shelter at night or in
system relies on its ability to bad weather, the Nofence team
communicate bidirectionally overcame the lack of GNSS
between the app and the collar. connection caused by a steel-
Initially, the map and virtual roofed shelter by turning to
boundary data is uploaded to Bluetooth LE beacons. The use of
Nofence’s server and wirelessly beacon technology also extended
transmitted to the goat’s pre- battery life because Bluetooth LE
fitted collar. At the same time, uses much less power than GNSS.
all the location, movement, and Beacons are installed in
acceleration data gathered by the shelters and when a collar
each collar’s GNSS receiver is moves in range, the GNSS

TECHNICAL BRIEFING
Powerful wireless SoCs meet

advanced wearable demands
In the third part of this article, Sebastien Mackaie-Blanchi considers the critical
role of firmware for Bluetooth Low Energy SoC operation
stable RF protocol software” for code. Such entanglement can
Sebastien Mackaie-Blanchi
is a Hong Kong-based FAE Samsung’s SHP-DP930 Smart make debugging a nightmare
& Customer Engineering Doorlock. (See this issue pg3.) and extends the development
Manager - APAC with
Nordic Semiconductor It’s perhaps not surprising process. It is also a drawback in
I
Nordic’s firmware has a good the field because over-the-air
n the first two parts of this reputation. The company has (OTA) updates require the entire
article, we looked at the been producing Bluetooth LE application/stack package to be
importance of hardware for stacks for nearly a decade and overwritten. That takes longer,
complex Bluetooth Low Energy each goes through an exhaustive risks corruption of the software,
(Bluetooth LE) applications. But testing, debugging, and and requires extra (expensive)
hardware is but a single element verification regime before being on-chip Flash memory to handle.
of Bluetooth LE technology. released. Nordic offers a range Nordic’s approach is uniquely
The Bluetooth LE stack of stacks to suit all applications different. The company’s
comprises a three-layer culminating in the S140, (the stacks (called SoftDevices)
Controller (which includes firmware that accompanies the are downloaded as tested and
the hardware, also known as high-end nRF52840 System- verified binary files from the
the physical layer or PHY), on-Chip (SoC)) a Bluetooth Nordic website. The SoftDevice
and three-layer Host. There 5-certified stack for building Trasense choose Nordic’s features an application
is nothing to stop anyone long-range and high-throughput nRF52832 SoC and S132 SoftDevice programming interface (API)
for its high-end sportswatch
coding a Bluetooth LE stack; Bluetooth LE applications. which is available to applications
but it’s impractical for most During compilation, the for high-level programming
developers to even start. The A complete architecture application code and Bluetooth language access. This provides
stack's complexity demands Many developers enjoy the LE stack are interlinked for the application with complete
years of coding experience and freedom to write their own combined operation. Datasheet compiler independence from
even when the code is written application code to optimize the images of the Bluetooth LE the SoftDevice implementation.
the software will need long performance of their wireless stack illustrate the application In simple terms this means
periods of debugging, testing, product and differentiate it from layer neatly positioned atop the during application development,
and verification. A much more the competition. The application stack. It’s a nice abstract but with compiling, testing, and
practical route for wireless code connects with the stack most vendors, the compilation verification, the SoftDevice
product developers is to select a to form a complete software inextricably entwines the stack remains untouched and the
silicon vendor’s PHY and marry solution for the end product. code with the application critical dependencies for
it with the same company’s efficient and reliable stack
Figure 1: Nordic’s Bluetooth LE stack and customer application code
own firmware for a complete remain separated during development operation are maintained. (See
solution. (Some companies ULP WQ Summer 2017, pg21.)
combine their hardware with a Better yet, because the
third-party’s firmware stack and prequalified SoftDevice is
sell it as their “own” product. unchanged, it requires no
Such a union can result in a Bluetooth requalification when
satisfactory solution but can development is complete. Figure
lead to customer problems 1, which shows the application
later if the silicon and software code separated from the
vendors part company.) SoftDevice and only linked where
Nordic Semiconductor uses necessary for efficient operation,
its in-house R&D team to forge is a much closer representation
all of its Bluetooth LE stacks. of the real situation than other
The company has a good vendors’ stack abstracts.
reputation for making sure its In the field, Nordic’s software
stacks feature the latest revisions architecture, with its unique
to the Bluetooth specification, separation, allows either
are of the highest quality, and software block to be uploaded
are very robust. For example, without disturbing the other.
Joonho Moon, a Group Leader That dramatically shortens OTA
with Samsung SDS recently update time and reduces the
said: “Nordic’s nRF52832 SoC risk of corruption during the
offered the most up-to-date and upload. 

NORDIC INSIDE
D.O.T Dot Watch

This Bluetooth Low Energy smartwatch wirelessly displays a smartphone’s
functions and notifications in Braille for vision-impaired users
According to analyst Modor Intelligence, the global smart wearable market
was valued at approximately $8.3 billion in 2017, and is expected to reach
$35.4 billion by 2023, with the arrival of new sensors and low power radio
chips transforming the industry. High growth countries such as India and China
are said to be significantly driving the projections
The Dot Watch uses electrodynamic cells to power a refreshable four-cell

(24-dot) Braille display on the watch face which relays information transmitted
from a smartphone to users with partial sight or blindness, including time and
date, incoming calls, and text message notifications
The Dot Watch employs Nordic’s nRF52832 SoC to wirelessly relay information
from the user’s smartphone to the watch via a low-latency link. The smart watch
provides a battery life of approximately two weeks, thanks in part to the
nRF52832 SoC’s ultra low power characteristics
Born in France in 1809, Louis Braille developed the 6-dot finger tip reading
system known as Braille after a meeting with Charles Barbier, a captain in
Napoleon’s army, who shared a communication code called Night Writing he
invented in response to Napoleon’s demand for a code that soldiers could use
to communicate silently and without light at night
In 2001, American Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind person

to reach the summit of Mount Everest, a year later becoming only
one of 150 mountaineers to complete the ‘Seven Summits’, the
highest peak on each continent in the world. In 2014 he kayaked the
entire 277 miles of the Grand Canyon, considered one of the most
formidable whitewater challenges on the planet

PEOPLE & PLACES
Jakub Rzeszutko
Martial artist wrestles with software

development challenges
H
i, I’m Jakub Rzeszutko forget about the whole world
and I’m a Senior and any problems in my life.
Firmware Engineer While it requires a lot of energy,
based in Kraków, it’s actually a very relaxing
Poland. Since joining Nordic experience for me. I always take
in January 2017 I have my gi (kimono) on vacations
worked primarily on software and business trips because I
development, and my main like visiting other BJJ clubs
responsibilities include and sparring with different BJJ
implementing new features practitioners. One time, on my
and bug fixes in Software first visit to Trondheim, I turned
Development Kits (SDK) and up for training at the wrong club—
ensuring delivered products are this was a traditional Jiu Jitsu club,
of the highest quality. and the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club I
Recently I have also taken wanted to visit was actually 2km
on added responsibilities as a away. I only had 20 minutes to get
team leader for a new initiative. I there on time, but I didn’t want to
enjoy working with great people miss out so I ran the whole way up
and helping to foster a healthy a steep hill. It’s fair to say I was well
team spirit. At Nordic I never feel warmed up by the time I stepped
like a cog in the wheel; I know onto the mat.
my opinion matters and I’m When taking a break from When I’m not practising BJJ, I
encouraged to take the time to software development, Jakub Personal Profile enjoy football, tennis, shooting,
do things right. When I wake up (centre) loves practising NAME:
and skiing, especially in the
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Jakub Rzeszutko
in the morning, I feel genuinely Alps. It’s wonderful to admire
job title:
enthusiastic about going to work. Outside of work, I am passionate the winter landscape, breathe
Senior Firmware Engineer
Last year, myself and two about practising Brazilian in the fresh air, taste French or
joined nordic:
colleagues, Piotr Zięcik and Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), which is a full January 2017 Italian cuisine, and take on some
Krzysztof Chruściński, worked contact martial art limited to based:
long and challenging ski routes.
very hard on an important submissions by joint locks, Kraków, Poland It is also a great opportunity
and challenging project for a chokes, and throws. Kicks and interests include: to spend quality time with my
major customer that required punches are not allowed, so it is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, skiing, family.
a customized method of relatively safe sport. Over many football, tennis, shooting Looking ahead, from a
interacting with software called years of training I have only ever professional perspective I would
a command-line interface (CLI). broken two ribs and one big toe. like to continue working on my
While it can be difficult to remain Unfortunately I have also earned “I am quite a self-development, and acquiring
objective about your own work, I
am certainly proud of the results
a small cauliflower on my ear,
but at the same time I’ve lost
stubborn person, but new skills and knowledge I can use
in my career. I am quite a stubborn
we achieved, and I have received 15 kilograms of fat, so it’s been I see this as a positive person, but I see this as a positive
very positive feedback from
other Nordic teams using the
worthwhile! My next goal in BJJ
is to gain a purple belt.
trait because I never trait because I never give up on
my goals and I believe patience is
tool we created. When I am on the mat I can give up on my goals” eventually rewarded. 
Subscribe to ULP Wireless Quarter:

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mesh
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Enterprise Next For Bluetooth Technology

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quarter 2 | summer 2018

Smart home encourages

2 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com

Korean technology giant Samsung In brief

Gunshot detection wearable notifies first

responders when vest is pierced

www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 3

In brief Air quality sensor system checks

4 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com

Gaming wearable monitors biometric

Nordic and Premier Farnell sign global distribution deal

Module enables IoT gateways Smart security lifts home automation

www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 5

Bluetooth Low Energy smartwatch

nRF Connect for Cloud accelerates

6 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com

The beacons track

Bluetooth LE device turns smartphones into dive computers

www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 7

Zigbee support expands Nordic’s

8 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com

The many wireless faces of IIoT

www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 9

Childproofing the IoT for the

10 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com

Enterprise next for Bluetooth tech

Bluetooth LE chip shipments diversification. Wearables, for sophisticated operation.

www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 11

Ultra low power wireless connectivity solutions

Bluetooth Low Energy

nRF52840 2.4GHz ARM 1MB Flash

nRF52832 2.4GHz ARM 512kB or 256kB Flash

nRF52810 2.4GHz ARM 192kB Flash

nRF51822 2.4GHz 128kB or 256kB Flash

nRF51422 2.4GHz 128kB or 256kB Flash

nRF51824 2.4GHz 256kB Flash and

nRF8001 2.4GHz   – – 16MHz / 32kHz

nRF24AP2-1CH 2.4GHz   – – 16MHz / 32kHz

nRF24AP2-8CH 2.4GHz   – – 16MHz / 32kHz

nRF24AP2-USB 2.4GHz   – – 16MHz

nRF24LE1 2.4GHz 16kB + 1.5kB Flash

nRF24LE1 OTP 2.4GHz 16kB + 1kB OTP

nRF24LU1+ 2.4GHz 16/32kB Flash

nRF24LU1+ OTP 2.4GHz 16kB + 1kB OTP

nRF24L01+ 2.4GHz   – – 16MHz

nRF2460 (mono) 2.4GHz   – – 16MHz 

12 | summer 2018 | ulp wireless quarter www.nordicsemi.com

Ref. Designs Dev Tools

Single Board Dev Kit,

                    PC Desktop, Smart Remote, Single Board Dev Kit, 

Single Board Dev Kit,

Single Board Dev Kit,

         PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

     Smartphone Demo App ANT Dev Kit

     Smartphone Demo App ANT Dev Kit

    ANT USB Dongle ANT Dev Kit

            PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

            PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

         PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

         PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

     Microphone nRFgo Dev Kit

www.nordicsemi.com ulp wireless quarter | summer 2018 | 13

The Internet of Finns

nRF8001 2.4GHz – – 16MHz / 32kHz

nRF24AP2-1CH 2.4GHz – – 16MHz / 32kHz

nRF24AP2-8CH 2.4GHz – – 16MHz / 32kHz

nRF24AP2-USB 2.4GHz – – 16MHz

nRF24L01+ 2.4GHz – – 16MHz

nRF2460 (mono) 2.4GHz – – 16MHz

PC Desktop, Smart Remote, Single Board Dev Kit,

PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

Smartphone Demo App ANT Dev Kit

Smartphone Demo App ANT Dev Kit

ANT USB Dongle ANT Dev Kit

PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

PC Desktop, Smart Remote, nRFgo Dev Kit,

Microphone nRFgo Dev Kit