OSLO, Norway -- Ultra low power (ULP) RF specialist Nordic Semiconductor ASA (OSE: NOD) announces that German navigation and sports specialist, o-synce, is employing a Nordic nRF24AP2-8CH 2.4GHz transceiver to provide ANT+ wireless connectivity for up to eight ANT+ sensors in its sub-$200 Screeneye X head-up cap-based display for runners and other outdoor sports enthusiasts.
The Screeneye X can display a full range of training data (current, average, and maximum) including elapsed time, heart rate, speed, distance, stop times, lap times, cadence, calories consumed, plus training zones, coaching tips, and ambient temperature. This data is projected directly on to a fluorescent plastic display powered by UV light collected by the cap during the day such that it can auto-dim and -brighten in response to ambient lighting levels while drawing a negligible amount of power.
Indeed this combined with the use of the class-leading Nordic ultra low power nRF24AP2-8CH ANT+ transceiver, which operates at just 17 mA peak current, enables the cap to operate from an in-built 150 µAh rechargeable battery that is 33% lower capacity—and around 33% smaller and lighter—than a typical 225 mAh CR2032 coin cell (watch) battery.
In operation, the cap is set-up and controlled via three waterproof keys located in the visor and all training data is recorded to within 1s accuracy and can be exported to a PC at the end of a training session via a micro USB connection that will simultaneously re-charge the on-board battery.
"The ability to see customizable training data in your field of view while training outdoors is a unique capability that relies on a high level of technological innovation and ingenuity," comments Dirk Sandrock, o-synce CEO. "We aim to create an entirely new personal head-up display product category with this product and in the future extend its capabilities to include the ability to connect to smartphones and other portable devices."
"It is heartening to see Nordic ULP wireless technology enabling such an innovative consumer product as this head-up display sports device," adds Geir Langeland, Nordic Semiconductor's Director of Sales & Marketing. "It is a genuine example of a new product category that didn't even exist a few years ago and would not have been made possible without the evolution and success of ANT+ interoperable ULP wireless connectivity that Nordic has supported since the very beginning."
o-synce was also acclaimed "ANT+ Device Profile Leader" at the recent 2012 ANT+ Alliance Symposium Awards - the second year running the company has been recognized - for its support of every type of currently supported ANT+ profile across its product ranges that in addition to the Screeneye X include a variety of sports watches, training and bike computers, heart rate straps, foot pods, and GPS navigators.
About o-synce
o-synce was founded in June 2009 and is located in Weinheim/Germany.
The company offers a wide range of portable micro electronic products and sensors. From cyclometers over watches to GPS devices, o-synce cares for all kinds of activity in everyday life.
The o-synce philosophy is based on three core statements.
Simplicity: Simplifying the handling
Less is more: More flexible with a smart modular product range
One fits all: Basic products with an all built-in software concept
... wrapped in German engineering & Italian life style design
An ambitious team of passionate atheletes (triathlon, cycling, skiing), engineers, economists and sport scientists stands behind the company with the orange logo. Shortly after o-synce had beed founded, the mini cyclometer was already awarded with the Eurobike Gold Award 2009.
About Nordic Semiconductor
Nordic Semiconductor ASA ('Nordic') is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in ultra low power (ULP) short-range wireless communication in the license-free 2.4 GHz and sub-1-GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands. Nordic is a Norwegian public company listed on the Oslo stock exchange (OSE: NOD).
Nordic's ULP wireless solutions are enabling its customers to build wireless connectivity into everything from mainstream consumer RF remote controls through to the most advanced and innovative 'game-changing' wireless devices—while meeting or exceeding end users' expectations in terms of features, performance, and price. The company designs and manufactures four product families: the nRF51 Series of 2.4GHz ULP RF System-on-Chips (SoC), a common silicon architecture that supports 2.4GHz proprietary-, ANT- or Bluetooth low energy-RF software protocols, the nRF24L Series of 2.4GHz RF SoCs, the nRF24AP2 Series of ANT Connectivity ICs (Integrated Circuits or 'chips'), and the ?Blue Series of Bluetooth low energy ICs. In addition, Nordic supplies the nRF2460 audio streamer and Sub 1-GHz Series, an ideal solution for longer range industrial, home automation, and wireless monitoring applications.