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Reference for designing smart-remote for smart-TVs

Date: 04/01/2013
The advanced smart TV with PC like features need an advanced remote control to browse youtube video, to search google and to do all such sort of activities. The wireless low power chips with user interface power such smart-remotes. Low power wireless IC maker Nordic Semiconductor ASA has in its shelf low power wireless SoC exclusively designed for remote controls. The company has announced nRFready Smart Remote 2, a complete hardware and software reference design using its chip nRF51822 multi-protocol SoC to offer simultaneous single chip Bluetooth low energy and Nordic 2.4GHz proprietary Gazell RF protocol support for advanced browsing control of the latest Internet- and Web 2.0-enabled TVs and set-top boxes (STBs).

Suggested example applications include audio, video, gaming, web browsing, social media, and online shopping. nRFready Smart Remote 2 features a multi-touch enabled TouchPad from Synaptics, a miniaturized QWERTY keyboard, a 6-axis motion sensing solution from Invensense, and an ultra low power MEMS accelerometer from ST Microelectronics.

Nordic says inclusion of its latest nRF51822 multi-protocol SoC (see 'About nRF51822' below) allows remote control manufacturers to bring products to market that can simultaneously and adaptively support Bluetooth low energy (via the HID over GATT profile) and proprietary 2.4GHz wireless technology in the same product form factor, using identical data formats over the wireless link to minimize design complexity, and without requiring any firmware changes.

Nordic suggest this offers developers a high level of commercial protection against future consumer technology trends by allowing them to offer a maximum range of alternative options to their customers.

The nRFready Smart Remote 2 reference design even features an IR (Infrared) LED that can be used to add support for legacy IR-controlled equipment too.

"Internet-enabled smart TVs, set-top boxes and their supporting TV-based apps are what consumers want," comments Geir Langeland, Nordic Semiconductor's Director of Sales & Marketing. "But navigating and controlling these devices with a traditional IR remote can be frustrating, slow, and annoying - which isn't helping consumer adoption and use."

Langeland continues: "Smart RF remotes are the solution that consumers are crying out for and with this latest nRFready Smart Remote 2 reference design Nordic is making it as easy as possible for consumers to get what they want from the world's leading consumer electronics companies and their remote control [ODM] development partners."

The nRFready Smart Remote 2 reference design kit includes a Nordic Smart Remote baseboard, Smart Remote nRF51822 radio module, 2.4GHz RF USB dongle, Bluetooth 4.0 USB dongle, programming adapter, and a complete set of design files, software source code, and supporting documentation.

To know more visit www.nordicsemi.com