Cycling-based CES Demo with Nordic Semiconductor and Yellow Digital
Cycling-based CES Demo with Nordic Semiconductor and Yellow Digital
Nordic Semiconductor and ANT partner with Yellow Digital, with technology support from Pioneer and Qualcomm, to demonstrate eWellness platform and service at CES 2011
Exciting cycling-based exhibit combines ULP wireless connectivity, 3G networking and Internet-based cloud computing to demonstrate how, with minimal time and effort, fitness enthusiasts can have fun collecting, analyzing, and sharing performance data
Las Vegas, NV – January 6, 2011 – Ultra low power (ULP) RF specialist Nordic Semiconductor ASA (OSE: NOD) and ANT Wireless announce their participation in an “eWellness” cycling performance monitoring exhibit with leading consumer electronics and technology companies today at CES. Yellow Digital Health Lab, Inc., a leading eWellness platform and service provider based in Santa Monica, CA and Tokyo, is coordinating the companies and products used in the exhibit; these include ULP wireless sensors, 3G-capable cycling computer, Internet services, and a commercial 3G network. The exhibit demonstrates the capabilities of Yellow’s eWellness platform for providing a motivational and performance improvement tool for fitness enthusiasts.
In addition to Nordic Semiconductor and ANT Wireless, Yellow has received technology support for the exhibit from Pioneer Corporation, Qualcomm Incorporated, Trek Bicycles, and AnyDATA. Together, at the ANT+ Pavilion (North Grand Lobby #3023) and Qualcomm’s booth (South Hall Upper Level #30313), these companies are showing how collecting and transmitting data via wireless connections are critical to the operation of the eWellness platform.
The exhibit at the ANT+ Pavilion and at Qualcomm’s booth is based on a Trek bike with built-in ANT+ wireless sensors. These sensors are equipped with wireless connectivity powered by Nordic’s nRF24PA2 2.4GHz ULP Single-Chip-Connectivity transceivers running ANT RF protocol software. (See “About nRF24AP2” and “About ANT/ANT+” below.)
Performance data, such as cadence, power, speed, and heart rate, is transmitted from the wireless sensors using ANT+ communication, to Pioneer’s ANT+-equipped “cyclocomputer” (cycling computer) that has 3G network capability. Cyclocomputer is equipped with map and other helpful applications for training and weight control, and displays real-time performance data from the network of ANT+ sensors on the bike. In addition, cyclocomputer allows the user to transmit cycling data and other information, such as favorite locations, using Yellow Digital’s eWellness cloud service, for further analysis and to share with friends on Internet devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
Nordic and ANT are collaborating with the following companies to stage the cycling exhibit:
Pioneer Corporation (www.pioneer.jp), a leading global consumer electronics giant, supports Yellow’s CES demo by providing a prototype cycle computer equipped with ANT+ and 3G wireless data communication;
Trek Bicycle Corporation (www.trekbikes.com), a world-class bicycle manufacturer. Trek is supplying the ANT+-equipped bikes for the exhibit;
The highlight of the CES demonstration comes when cyclists ride the Trek bikes outside the venue. The real-time monitoring of the professional rider’s performance will then be transmitted from the bikes, via the cyclocomputers, a commercial 3G network, and Yellow Digital’s eWellness service, to a monitor in the ANT+ Pavilion and at the Qualcomm booth at the event. Later, there will by a speed competition between two riders using fixed-mount Trek bikes in the ANT+ Pavilion, and at the Qualcomm booth.
“Yellow Digital is pleased to co-ordinate this impressive demonstration from a group of leading technology companies,” says Kiyoto Hirai, the company’s President and General Manager Japan. “Using this underlying technology, we’re able to provide a comprehensive eWellness cloud service which will provide the motivation to get fit for an increasingly health-aware generation.”
“Because ANT+ offers assured interoperability between products from many different manufacturers these leading companies have put together a seamless demonstration of the huge potential of wireless connectivity,” says Rod Morris, Director at ANT Wireless. “ANT+ is considered to be the de facto standard for wireless connectivity in the cycling sector, and by working with such high profile companies, we can build on that strong foundation.”
“Nordic has an eight year association with ANT so we are naturally very pleased to form a fundamental part of this exciting demonstration at the ANT+ Pavilion,” says Thomas Søderholm, Business Development Manager PAN with Nordic Semiconductor. “Nordic ANT chips are the proven solution for compact wireless sensors with coin cell batteries; in fact, in addition to the cycling demonstration, those chips are at the heart of every other application on the ANT+ Pavilion at CES this year.”
In addition to its activities at CES 2011, Nordic is partnering with Yellow Digital to develop the eWellness sector by providing technical support for its ANT chips and seeking partners for peripheral devices and hardware.
About nRF24AP2™ 8-channel
Based on Nordic’s class-leading nRF24L01+ transceiver core, the nRF24AP2 integrates an ultra-low power 2.4GHz transceiver with ANT Wireless’ production-proven ultra low power protocol stack, ANT, to create a true connectivity-on-chip solution.
The nRF24AP2 core provides a range of benefits including substantial enhancements in wideband blocking and intermodulation as well as 5dB of extra sensitivity compared to its predecessor (the nRF24AP1). This extra sensitivity increases immunity to disturbance from other 2.4GHz sources in the vicinity. The ANT protocol stack implementation includes new features such as support for up to 8-channels, proximity search, frequency agility, and continuous scanning mode.
The device operates at a peak current of just 17mA. Average operating currents are in the microampere range (for example, in simple broadcast mode, average operating current is 9µA) leading to extended operation from small coin cell type batteries.
The 8-channel nRF24AP2-8CH is an advanced and flexible product specifically designed for ANT hubs. Supporting up to 8-channels and without compromising power consumption, it enables devices like sports watches, bicycle computer and gym machines computers, for example, to connect to up to eight sensors simultaneously.
The device is fully interoperable with existing Nordic Semiconductor nRF24AP1 ANT chipsets and supports the ANT+ managed network alliance platform, assuring interoperability between wireless products from different vendors.
About ANT / ANT+ (www.thisisant.com)
ANT+ facilitates interoperability between manufacturer’s devices and the collection, automatic transfer and tracking of sensor data for monitoring information anywhere, anytime. The key advantage of this unique managed network is device specific interoperability that enables wireless communication with other ANT+ products. Applicable in sport, wellness management and home health monitoring, ANT+ (built on the base ANT protocol) defines device profiles that specify data formats, channel parameters and network keys. The ANT+ Alliance is an open special interest group of companies who have adopted the ANT+ promise of interoperability. The Alliance ensures standardized communications through optimized brand value and partnerships with other top tier products. Currently, there are over 300 member companies in the ANT+ Alliance.
ANT is a proven protocol and silicon solution for ultra low power (ULP) practical wireless networking applications. Designed for 2.4GHz operation, ANT is perfectly suited to any kind of low data-rate sensor network topologies in personal area networks (PANs) and practical wireless sensor networks (WSNs). ANT has been intentionally engineered to simplify wireless network development and maximize network efficiency.
Nordic Semiconductor is a member of the ANT+ Alliance.
About Yellow Digital Health Lab, Inc.
Yellow Digital has been working to establish the eWellness entertainment service integrating the latest technologies for sport, fitness, and active users, with an aim to launch the service in major markets in the world including Japan by the end of 2011.
It designs and develops smartphone apps that allow users to manage wellness data while enjoying various sports such as cycling, running, walking, golf, and exercise. It also works with partners in designing and developing special devices optimized for each sport in order to provide users with exciting sport and fitness life that they have never experienced. There is also a plan to make Yellow eWellness apps for smartphones available on smartphones supporting Ant+, which is expected to grow in the future.
The service also helps users manage physical data such as weight, body fat, and blood pressure together with their sport performance data by taking physical data from body composition meters, blood-pressure gauges, and other similar devices. It offers the ultimate eWellness entertainment service that meets the needs of users of all generations.
About Nordic Semiconductor ASA (www.nordicsemi.com)
Nordic Semiconductor is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in ultra low power (ULP) short-range wireless communication.
Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF24xxx range of 2.4GHz transceiver and transmitter devices are aimed at applications including PC peripherals (wireless keyboards/mice/multimedia controllers), game controllers, intelligent sports equipment and wireless audio (for example, MP3 and portable CD player wireless headphones and wireless PC speakers). The latest nRF24LE1 is targeted at ultra-low cost and power applications such as wireless desktops and intelligent (for example, wristwatch-based) sports equipment.
Nordic is a member of the ANT+ Alliance and has successfully collaborated with ANT Wireless of Cochrane, Canada, since 2005. ANT devices such as the nRF24AP2 – using Nordic 2.4GHz transceivers and the proven ANT protocol – have been used in millions of wireless sensor nodes across the world. ANT is perfectly suited for any kind of low data rate sensor network topologies in personal area networks (PANs) and practical wireless sensor networks (WSNs). ANT+ (built on the ANT protocol) facilitates interoperability between ANT+ Alliance member devices and the collection, automatic transfer and tracking of sensor data. Applicable in sports, wellness, and medical health sensors, ANT+ defines device profiles that specify data formats, channel parameters and network key. The ANT+ Alliance is an open, special interest group of companies.
Nordic’s products are all manufactured in state of the art semiconductor process technologies through strong, long-term relationships with world-best manufacturing facilities. Sales are primarily made through a carefully selected worldwide distribution network. The company has offices in Trondheim and Oslo, Norway, the U.S. (West Coast), Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Nordic is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSX: NOD). All operations are managed according to the ISO 9001:2000-approved quality assurance system.
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