ON A SINGLE CHIP, a new solution for the ultra-low-power (ULP) wireless market runs both the RF protocol stack and application layer. The nRF24LE1 system-ona- chip (SoC) integrates the nRF24L01+ 2.4-GHz transceiver core along with a mixed-signal, 8-b microcontroller with 16 kB of on-chip Flash memory. The transceiver core includes an Enhanced ShockBurst hardware link layer. It delivers ULP operation with peak currents that are low enough to run on coin-cell batteries. The enhanced 8051 mixedsignal microprocessor core boasts fewer clock cycles per instruction than legacy 8051 devicesjust one or two clock cycles for most operations. In addition, a ULP 32-kHz crystal oscillator provides highaccuracy timing for low-report-rate synchronous protocols. A 16-MHz resistive-capacitive (RC) oscillator provides fast start-up times. This 32-kHz oscillator can provide timing that is accurate enough for higher-report-rate protocols without requiring an external crystal. P&A: $1.95 each for 10,000 units.
Nordic Semiconductor, Inc., 1250 Oakmead Pkwy., Ste. 265, Sunnyvale, CA 94085-4037; (408) 437-7751, Fax: (408) 437-7756, Internet: www.nordicsemi.com.
About the Author
Nancy Friedrich
RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense, Keysight Technologies
Nancy Friedrich is RF Product Marketing Manager for Aerospace Defense at Keysight Technologies. Nancy Friedrich started a career in engineering media about two decades ago with a stint editing copy and writing news for Electronic Design. A few years later, she began writing full time as technology editor at Wireless Systems Design. In 2005, Nancy was named editor-in-chief of Microwaves & RF, a position she held (along with other positions as group content head) until 2018. Nancy then moved to a position at UBM, where she was editor-in-chief of Design News and content director for tradeshows including DesignCon, ESC, and the Smart Manufacturing shows.