Texas Instruments (News - Alert), a provider of wireless connectivity for embedded applications, unveiled its Bluetooth low energy SensorTag kit comprising of a downloadable SensorTag App and sample applications.
The kit allows smartphone app developers to easily create apps for Bluetooth low energy-enabled smartphones and tablets. The six sensors integrated in the kit can enable applications in varying fields like health and fitness, educational tools, toys and remote controls. Applications can include use of consumer’s smartphone, tablet or laptop to control mobile phone accessories.
Oyvind Birkenes, general manager, Wireless Connectivity Solutions, TI said, “For manufacturers, Bluetooth low energy enables a very simple and efficient way of connecting their application to the cloud through a smartphone, tablet or laptop. The SensorTag kit allows manufacturers to quickly and easily evaluate the benefits of adding Bluetooth low energy to their device or build new applications.”
The SensorTag App has to be downloaded to a smartphone to start developing an app. First a sample application is picked, then a demo can be made using the SensorTag’s sensors. Developers can make a smartphone “appcessory” prototype using the CC2541 Bluetooth low energy system-on-chip (SoC). Control and monitoring tasks are accomplished by the appcessory a gadget that leverages smartphone apps.
The SensorTag integrates six MEMS sensors provided by InvenSense (gyroscope), Kionix (accelerometer), Sensirion (humidity and temperature) and TDK (barometer) besides also including a magnetometer and TI’s IR temperature sensor (TMP006). Already some application developers like Ace Sensor and Byte Works have used the SensorTag to develop appcessories.
TI’s new SensorTag kit will suit iOS-based applications and the iOS SensorTag App can be downloaded for free. Further plans are afoot to provide SensorTag Apps and support for Android (News - Alert) and Windows 8 also with the launch of more Bluetooth low energy-enabled devices.
Also included in the SensorTag kit is the TMP006, contactless IR temperature sensor, which will allow development of temperature measurement applications. The TMP006 and CC2541 are both power efficient devices that are critical to battery-powered end-equipment, said Jason Cole, sensing product line manager, TI.
Texas Instruments also announced that its Bluetooth v4.0 technology-based CC2560 and CC2564 wireless devices will be available in QFN packages offered by TI and its distribution partners.
Edited by Brooke Neuman