A firmware upgrade for Nordic Semiconductor’s nRFready 2.4GHz RF Smart Remote reference design has been announced by the company. The development means
users can add freespace pointing functionality to their RF remotes.
The 2.4GHz RF Smart Remote reference design integrates the company’s nRF24LE1 SoC and Gazell 2.4GHz RF protocol stack. This includes all hardware for freespace pointing and clicking control built-in via an on-board 6-axis motion sensing solution from Invensense; and an ultra low power accelerometer from STMicroelectronics (in addition to a multi-touch enabled TouchPad from Synaptics and miniaturised QWERTY keyboard).
‘The firmware upgrade offers customers a fast-track way to add freespace control to their nRFready 2.4GHz RF Smart Remotes that works straight away without them having to get involved with any firmware design or development,’ said Nordic R&D Engineer, Rune Brandsegg.
According to DisplaySearch the market for Internet-enabled TV sets (commonly called ‘connected TVs’) is forecast to exceed 123 million shipments by 2014 reflecting a sustained 30 percent compound annual growth rate over that period. This 123 million shipment number does not include other increasingly popular types of Internet-enabled consumer electronics (CE) devices such as STBs and media players. An essential part of all these products, however, is the remote control because it enables end users to take advantage of, and enjoy with ease, the full range and potential of digital content and services such products now support.
‘With the growing popularity of Internet-enabled TVs and set-top boxes we are seeing an explosion in demand for advanced remote controls based on ultra low power radio solutions,’ said Thomas Embla Bonnerud, Director of Product Management at Nordic Semiconductor.
‘Freespace pointing is a particularly natural and intuitive way to navigate and browse all types of modern digital content and services – including audio, video, gaming, web browsing, social media, and online shopping – as it offers familiar mouse-like PC control without the need for a flat surface.’
The nRFready reference design kit (includes the company’s Smart Remote baseboard, Smart Remote 2.4GHz RF radio module, 2.4GHz RF USB dongle, programming adapter, and a complete set of design files, software source code, and supporting documentation.
nRF24LE1
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
