Today, QuickLogic announced the availability of our TAG-N Wearable Sensor Hub evaluation kit for the Nordic Semi nRF51 DK, Nordic’s all-in-one, multiprotocol development kit for ultra-low power wireless development on the nRF51822 SoC.  We’re very excited to be part of the Nordic ecosystem, and just as excited to offer system designers an off-the-shelf, proven sensor hub for immediate integration.

System Description:

The TAG-N system is a self-contained system.  It contains the QuickLogic’s ArcticLink 3 S2 sensor hub, running our Gesture and Context Catalog CSSP technology.  The TAG-N is Arduino-compatible, enables a direct plug-in into the Nordic DK without need for hand-wiring or special accommodation.   Power is provided from the Nordic nRF51 DK or via a micro-USB cable directly to the TAG-N.

The TAG-N contains the QuickLogic ArcticLink 3 S2 sensor hub, as well as 7 discrete sensors:

 

Sensor Type	Manufacturer and Part Number
Accelerometer	Bosch BMI160
Magnetometer	AKM AK09911
Gyroscope	Bosch BMI160
Pressure	Bosch BME280
Ambient Light	Silicon Labs Si1132
Ultraviolet (UV) Index	Silicon Labs Si1132
Heart Rate Monitor (PPG, on demand)	Analog Devices ADPD142RI

Once powered on, the ArcticLink 3 S2 immediately begins sampling sensor data from the on-board sensors to determine the users current activity, gesture, context, or location.  Once a change is identified, this information is transmitted directly to the Nordic nRF51822 device.  That information is then sent via Bluetooth Smart to a QuickLogic-provided Android app, which allows the user gestures, transport, activities, and device location to be easily seen on your smartphone or tablet.

Screen shot, QuickLogic Android GUI

In the development process, the system designer can capture the activity/gesture/context/location information for their own purposes, including application development and optimization, OS testing, and others.  All raw sensor data is available to the Nordic device, and can be shown through the Android App as well.

The TAG-N system allows system developers using the Nordic DK to immediately insert a proven sensor hub into their design.  The sensor hub contains a library of wearable-specific sensor algorithms (see below), and enables designers to immediately begin testing performance in their applications.  A full BOM is provided for the TAG-N system, as well as board schematics, pinout (all relevant signals are sent to accessible headers for debug and testing), operation manual, and other collateral required for users to begin immediate system development.

Algorithms Contained:

QuickLogic’s standard Gesture and Context Catalog CSSP library is pre-loaded on the ArcticLink 3 S2 device.  The current release of this library includes the following:

User Activity:

• Enhanced Pedometer functions: provides the host processor a determination of the user walking or the user running, as well as a step count for each condition.  This is useful in providing more accurate fitness data for the user.  QuickLogic’s enhanced pedometer has been OEM-tested to an accuracy exceeding 97%, along with superior false step rejection (including when in a car or on a train).
• Stationary: provides the host processor a condition the device is being held/worn by the user, but the user is not moving.  This is useful for providing more accurate fitness data.

User Gesture:

• Raise-hand: a wearable-specific gesture, architected to provide the host processor a determination that the user, wearing a wrist-mounted device, has lifted their arm from their side. This is useful for enabling device or display wake-up.
• Rotate-to-wake: a wearable-specific gesture, architected to provide the host processor a determination that the user, wearing a wrist-mounted device, has lifted their arm from their side and twisted their wrist to their front.  This gesture is identical to a person checking the time on their wristwatch.  This is useful for enabling device or display wake-up.

Device Location and Transport:

• Device not on person: provides the host processor a determination that the device is motionless and not being held or worn by a user.  This is useful in providing an optimized power implementation for the device.
• Accidental Drop: provides the host processor a determination the device has entered a state of free fall followed by a stoppage in movement, indicating that the device has either fallen off the user or off a table/desk/etc…  This is useful for providing an audible warning that the device may have been unintentionally dropped, and can assist with devices not being lost.

QuickLogic anticipates future releases of the library to include additional features.  Instructions are provided with the TAG-N for obtaining future releases, as well as the process for upgrading the algorithm library on the device.

Customization Possibilities:

The TAG-N is designed as a self-contained kit enabling immediate system development, and is not designed as a vehicle for customizing algorithms contained on the ArcticLink 3 S2 sensor hub.   The ArcticLink 3 S2 can provide raw sensor data to the Nordic nRF51822 device, allowing the Nordic device’s on-board M0 processor to be used for additional algorithm development, if necessary.

Where to Buy:

The TAG-N Wearable Sensor Hub evaluation kit, part number QL-TAG-N-S2, is available today from QuickLogic authorized distributors, and is priced at $249.  More information on purchasing can be found at shop.quicklogic.com/solutions/reference-designs/tag-n