Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/765783
Consumer Electronics Daily News Saturday, January 7, 2017 4 8 ON SEMICONDUCTOR DEBUTS FIRST TO MARKET DESIGN PLATFORM FOR NEXT GENERATION WEARABLE TECH ON Semiconductor, driving energy effi- cient innovations, has utilized its strength and depth in a broad range of semiconductor disciplines – Including analog, power management, sensor interface and signal conditioning – to introduce a comprehensive develop- ment resource for the wearable elec- tronics sector. The new Wearable Development Kit (WDK1.0) combines a wide array of highly optimized com- ponents, with the objective of assisting OEMs in bringing differentiated prod- ucts to market. Using it can significant- ly accelerate design cycles for wearable electronics while mitigating heavy engineering costs. "Despite the growing interest in wearable electronics, to date there is sim- ply not a solution on the market that pro- vides the scope needed by OEMs to help them develop feature rich designs that will attract strong consumer uptake," states AJ ElJallad, Senior Manager, Corporate Strategy and Business Development at ON Semiconductor. "The WDK1.0 is a multi-faceted design asset that will allow wearable technology projects to be expedited – shortening time to market and curbing the associat- ed investment in engineering by leverag- ing the extent of ON Semiconductor's product portfolio." For this new offering, a high effi- ciency programmable NCP6915 DC-DC converter has been specified to take care of the power management tasks. An NCP1855 battery charger IC, plus an LC709203F fuel gauge and a 10 watt (W) rated SCY1751 wireless charging front- end controller (supporting AirFuel com- patible magnetic resonance charging) have also been incorporated. The kit's sensor capabilities stem from the MEMS-based FIS1100 inertial measure- ment unit (IMU), with 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis accelerometer operation enabling accurate multi-dimensional motion tracking. There is also an embed- ded temperature sensor included and an LC898301 driver IC for initiating haptic feedback. Critical to the WDK1.0 is its wire- less connectivity, which is addressed via an ultra-lower power nRF52832 multi- protocol system-on-chip (SoC) from Nordic Semiconductor. This features a 32-bit ARM ® Cortex™ processor core and a 2.4GHz transceiver – offering support for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and other relevant wireless tech- nologies. The kit is complemented by a SmartApp which can be downloaded directly from Android PlayStore and Apple AppStore. Using this, various pieces of information can be transposed, such as the steps taken, calories burnt, distance covered and activity period, as well as human machine interface aspects like screen brightness adjustment, clock face control, alarm settings and estab- lishing fitness goals. An Eclipse-based IDE accompanies the kit. This presents engineering teams with all the resources they need to rapidly create and subse- quently debug code necessary for designs. A highly intuitive Project Wizard further facilitates the develop- ment process, by giving engineers access to numerous useful wearable- related project examples. The WDK1.0 solution also has a 1.44-inch format, 128 x 128 pixel TFT display into which a capacitive touch screen is integrated. A 26-pin expansion port complements all the other elements in the kit. Through this, there is ample provision for further additions to the system design, such as supplementary microcontroller, signal processing or GPS functionality, the inclusion of more sensors or the specifying of different display. Hardware schematics and Cadence EDA design files are also made available. About ON Semiconductor ON Semiconductor is driving energy efficient innovations, empowering cus- tomers to reduce global energy use. The company is a leading supplier of semi- conductor-based solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of energy effi- cient power management, analog, sen- sors, logic, timing, connectivity, dis- crete, SoC and custom devices. The company's products help engineers solve their unique design challenges in auto- motive, communications, computing, consumer, industrial, medical, aerospace and defense applications. ON Semiconductor operates a responsive, reliable, world-class supply chain and quality program, a robust compliance and ethics program, and a network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and design centers in key markets throughout North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific regions. For more information, visit www .onsemi.com. REYEDR HUD FOR MOTORCYCLISTS: HEADS-UP DISPLAY FOR SAFER & SMARTER RIDING REYEDR, a start-up from New Zealand, has been furiously developing its HUD for motorcyclists. It adopts a unique retrofit approach – the device when fitted to a full face helmet converts it into a smart AR device. REYEDR's (pronounced rider) mission is to connect motorcyclists with their machines in a way that transforms the ride experience. The way in which we view information on motorcycles has not really changed since being developed a century ago. AR combined with smartphone com- puting now provides the ability to improve safety by delivering key information at eye level. By eliminat- ing distractions from looking down at the dash, motorcyclists can now ride safer by keeping their eyes on the road at all times, to look out for haz- ards. The REYEDR HUD (with univer- sal helmet mount) and REYEDR smartphone app deliver key informa- tion about the bike, route and ride group. Leisure motorcycling is a popu- lar recreational activity in the devel- oped countries; the social aspect of the app is designed to connect bikers to this large community and discover new routes, through those who have ridden in the past or to experience with those in their ride group. Motorcycling is a risky sport. By keeping riders geo-con- nected with their group and the ability to alert emergency services, it gives riders and non-riding loved ones peace of mind. REYEDR has attracted interest and support for its venture from the outset. A born-global firm, with operations in Auckland, New Zealand, REYEDR is now seeking distributors, IoT collabo- rators and investors for its venture. It was a finalist in the University of Auckland Spark Entrepreneurship Challenge 2015, and Alumni of the Lightning Lab Digital Accelerator 2016. BE THE FIRST TO HEAR IT: COMPLY 'TRULY WIRELESS' EARPHONE FOAM TIPS Ahead of the market and already receiv- ing rave reviews, Hearing Components, Inc., unleashed the world's first Comply™ Foam Truly Wireless Premium Foam Tips. Featuring precision-engi- neered fit, comfort and sound quality, the Tw Series are designed for "truly wire- less" earphones and devices, including The Headphone from Bragi Dash. "Technology enthusiasts want the freedom cordless earbuds bring without compromising sound quality or comfort – so that's exactly what we researched, developed and delivered," said Thad Olson, President of Hearing Components. "Already we're hearing positive feedback from customers who are thrilled to get the best of both worlds in a truly wireless, high-tech fashion." Enhanced Audio Because the Truly Wireless Premium Foam Tips are designed to create a cus- tom ear canal seal to block out outside noise and environmental distractions, wearers can enjoy music and phone calls without raising the volume to compen- sate for outside noise. With a perfect ear canal seal, Comply tips funnel pure sound directly into the ear, maximizing the listening experience and enhancing the bass. Custom Fit, Soft Comfort Using proprietary memory foam technol- ogy, the Tw Series premium tips are body-heat activated to conform to the unique shape of a person's ear canals. This dynamic, custom fit stays put, while sealing in all frequencies for a fuller sound. Plus, the breathable memory foam provides all-day comfort by eliminating in-ear irritation and fatigue often associ- ated with traditional silicone tips. They also are 30 times softer than traditional silicone tips. The comfortable, snug fit allows sensor contact with the ear for fitness tracking and biometric devices, like heart-rate monitors, so fitness enthusiasts can benefit from cordless convenience, too, without holding back. Comply Foam plans to release a SweatGuard™ version to protect earphones from moisture dam- age in early 2017. Comply Foam features the new Truly Wireless Premium Foam Tips along with its other audio accessory inno- vations in booth #20648. Comply Foam Truly Wireless Premium Foam Tips are compatible with The Dash and The Headphone by Bragi, Samsung Gear IconX, Jabra Elite Sport and Motorola VerveOne, among others. For more information about the Comply foam tips and the full line of Comply products, visit www.comply- foam.com. About Comply Foam Hearing Components, manufacturer of Comply products, was founded in 1990 to identify and create unique, innova- tive foam solutions that enhance and protect hearing. The U.S. National Institute of Health has awarded several grants to Hearing Components to study the ear and mechanics of hearing, with the intent to improve and protect hear- ing. Comply technology is used in con- sumer electronic products; military, secu- rity, law enforcement and industrial com- munication devices; audiology devices; commercial aviation communication devices; and for critical communication and/or noise isolation in high-noise envi- ronments. Comply is an R&D company focus- ing on dramatically improving the physi- cal connection between a person's per- sonal audio and ears. With more than 20 years of clinical in-ear experience, and Ph.D.-level knowledge of and expertise in biochemistry and comfort-focused sound technology, Comply has improved the quality of listening. For more information, visit www .complyfoam.com.