Wearable

Embedded designs can be delivered to market quicker, and with the ability to develop user interfaces, using the PSoC 4 programmable SoC, says Cypress Semiconductor.
The chip has a 32bit ARM-Cortex-M0 core, adding up to 256kbyte flash memory, 98 general purpose I/Os, 33 programmable analogue and digital blocks, a USB device controller, and a CAN interface. The PSoC 4 L-Series delivers up to 13 programmable analogue blocks including four high-performance op amps, four current-output DACs, two low-power comparators, a 12bit SAR ADC and dual CapSense blocks with up to 94 capacitive-sensing channels. The analogue blocks enable engineers to create on-chip, custom analogue front ends to support new end-product features, without increasing product costs, size or power consumption, says the company.

Distributor Mouser Electronics now stocks TDK’s SESUB-PAN-D14580 Bluetooth v4.1 module. This compact, Low Energy (LE) micro module is the world’s smallest module for Bluetooth Smart devices, says the company. The 3.5 × 3.5 × 1mm module is based on the company’s proprietary Semiconductor Embedded in Substrate (SESUB) technology, which is claimed to result in a reduction of 60% in size, compared to modules using discrete components. The single-mode module’s footprint and low current consumption make it ideal for battery-powered wearable devices where small size, light weight, and low power consumption are essential, points out the distributor.
The module integrates a Dialog Semiconductor DA14580 Bluetooth 4.1 chip, 32bit ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller, and DC/DC converter onto a thin substrate, along with all peripheral circuitry including a 16MHz crystal, inductor, and capacitor. All I/O from the substrate layers are routed to a BGA footprint on the module’s bottom surface. Interfaces include UART, SPI, and I2C, to implement connectivity.
The low-power module requires a voltage supply of 3.0V, and consumes only 5.0mA when transmitting, 5.4mA when receiving, and 0.8µA in standby mode. Output power is rated at 0dBm (typical), with a communication range of 10m, depending on line of sight and antenna characteristics.