Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF51922 offers ultimate flexibility in a single device by adding iPhone connectivity to the advanced networking features of ANT

Cochrane, Alberta, Canada – September 30, 2013 -- ANT Wireless ("ANT" www.thisisant.com), proven innovator in ultra low power (ULP) wireless technology, today confirms ANT+ connectivity to the iPhone via the availability of Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF51922 System-on-Chip (SoC) – the world's first dual protocol solution offering simultaneous ANT and Bluetooth low energy (BLE) wireless communication in a single chip.  Combining the full ANT stack alongside the BLE slave-only stack, this SoC broadens the potential market for ANT+ fitness, sport and health sensors to iPhone users.   This new chip adds yet another valued option to the broad portfolio of industry-leading ANT connectivity solutions.

“Nordic’s dual-protocol chip is a key product for developers wanting access to both the diverse range of ANT+ capabilities and a path to the iPhone,” stated Rod Morris, Vice President, ANT Wireless.  “The nRF51922 offers the flexibility and power of the ANT network, the versatility of concurrent ANT master/slave operation, and the ability to instantly connect to millions of devices in the ANT+ ecosystem.  It also adds to the growing segment of smartphones with native ANT functionality including the recently announced Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and Sony Mobile Xperia™ Z1 and Xperia™ Z Ultra. ” 

Eliminating the need for an external dongle, Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF51922 allows products such as watches, bike computers, or fitness equipment to talk directly to the iPhone.  This enables developers to create a bridge to the extensive array of current and future ANT+ products.    Consumers now have the flexibility to utilize these nRF51922-enabled hub devices as they wish, with or without a phone, while benefiting from the advanced capabilities of ANT.

“ANT has a proven track record for providing the most progressive, practical and reliable ultra low power wireless connectivity solutions in the industry today,” added Morris.  “Our flexible and simple-to-use protocol enables unlimited app and accessory opportunities that developers can take to market very quickly.”

Samples and evaluation kits for the nRF51922 are now available, with the first tutorial session on the new nRF51922 to be given by Nordic Semiconductor at the ANT+ Symposium in Kananaskis, Alberta, October 1-4, 2013 (see www.thisisant.com/symposium).  Mass production of the device is expected at the end of 2013. For more information, please visit www.nordicsemi.com.

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About ANT / ANT+ (www.thisisant.com)
ANT is a proven protocol and silicon solution for ultra low power (ULP) practical wireless networking applications. ANT+ is the pervasive ULP wireless technology facilitating the capture of critical market share in the exploding mobile sensor sector. With over 60 million devices in the market, ANT+ facilitates interoperability between ANT+ devices and the collection, automatic transfer and tracking of sensor data. This standardized communication platform enables quick-to-market solutions for application developers, sensor manufacturers and smartphone makers.   Consumers also benefit from a direct, embedded wireless connection to ANT+ sensors as demonstrated in products such as the recently announced Samsung GALAXY Note 3 and Sony Mobile Xperia™  Z1 and Xperia™ Z Ultra as well as the 17 phones previously released by Sony.  

ANT+ has amassed an ecosystem of world-class technology vendors in the ANT+ Alliance, an open special interest group of companies who have adopted the ANT+ promise of interoperability. These industry leaders offer readily-available brand name products for sport, wellness management and home health monitoring. 

The company behind ANT Wireless is Dynastream Innovations Inc. (www.dynastream.com).   Dynastream was established in 1998 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. in December 2006. Dynastream is based in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, and is a world innovator in the research and development of inertial and wireless technology.

ANT+ Product Directory (www.thisisant.com/directory)
The ANT+ Product Directory is a complete inventory of all ANT+ certified or verified products. It is a tool designed specifically to help consumers source hundreds of industry-leading devices and all compatible products within the vast ANT+ ecosystem. Devices may be searched by product name, brand, activity or product category, allowing the consumer to create a monitoring system that meets their specific needs.

For further information on how the directory works, please visit:
www.thisisant.com/directory/d/getting-started.

About Nordic Semiconductor ASA
tinyurl.com/NordicSemi

About nRF51 Series
tinyurl.com/nRF51

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