Oslo, Norway – February 26, 2014 – Nordic Semiconductor ASA (OSE: NOD, Country Manager for Korea: Soo-Chul Choi, www.nordicsemi.com ), a specialist in Ultra Low Power (ULP) RF, and ARM®, a leading global supplier of semiconductor IP, have launched the nRF51822-mKIT platform, which enables the rapid, easy, and flexible development of Bluetooth Smart applications (Bluetooth® Smart; Bluetooth Low Energy, certified as Bluetooth version 4.1).

Although still in the early stages, IoT (Internet of Things) applications utilizing Bluetooth Smart as the underlying technology (see the link for Bluetooth Smart details below) are gradually becoming widespread. Bluetooth Smart is being rapidly applied in the field of short-range wireless connectivity between small, coin-cell battery-based accessories using RF sensors and smartphone 'hubs' that support related software applications.

According to McKinsey & Company, the IoT consists of sensors and actuators embedded within physical objects connected via wired and wireless networks using the same Internet protocol. As an extension of the existing Internet, the IoT requires vast amounts of data regarding analysis and behavior to be processed by computers. According to McKinsey, when a device can sense and communicate with its environment, it becomes a 'tool capable of understanding complex characteristics and responding quickly.'

ARM mbed™ is a collaborative industry project designed to foster the IoT, providing essential open-source hardware and software building blocks, including tools, to enable the rapid development of ARM-based devices. Nordic Semiconductor and ARM have jointly implemented Nordic’s nRF51822 System-on-Chip (SoC), optimized for ultra-low power operation, by integrating Bluetooth 4.1-compatible 2.4GHz multiprotocol radio capabilities with ARM® Cortex®-M0 CPU cores onto a single chip. With the emergence of mechanisms for transmitting IP data from sensor nodes, the nRF51822 series (see the link for nRF51822 details below) provides an ideal platform for designing wirelessly connected sensors, allowing developers to realize the technical concepts of IoT.

Simon Ford, Director of the Internet of Things (IoT) Platform at ARM, stated, “Nordic Semiconductor’s platform is equipped with the essential features required for developers to develop next-generation ARM-based IoT products, enabling them to develop fully functional prototype devices without difficulty.” He added, “Through a faster and more efficient development process, we will be able to further accelerate the market launch of numerous new products that connect people and businesses based on this infrastructure.”

The nRF51822-mKIT can accelerate and simplify the prototype development of Bluetooth Smart sensors connected to the IoT. This kit provides a high level of flexibility and functionality in a compact package.

Developers can start development within minutes using the nRF51822-mKIT. Through mbed, this kit supports a cloud-based approach for writing code, adding libraries, and synthesizing firmware. The easy-to-use online Integrated Development Environment (IDE) runs on any general-purpose browser on Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, Android, and Linux operating systems. Using this kit, developers can access the cloud-based ARM RVDS 4.1 compiler to optimize performance and code size.

ARM CMSIS (Cortex Microcontroller Software Interface Standard) supports the mbed C/C++ library and enables the development of high-level API (Application Programmer Interface)-based code. This allows developers to be freed from the complex details of low-level peripherals, enabling the development of innovative products, improved productivity, and reduced project time.

Suke Jawanda, CMO of Bluetooth SIG, stated, “Because Bluetooth Smart’s cost, footprint, and energy consumption are very small, companies can apply this technology virtually anywhere and impact the entire industry with new solutions or completely transform existing products,” and emphasized, “This will be a natural choice for developers focusing on developing next-generation products to realize IoT.”

He also stated, “As developers begin to devise new ideas possible wirelessly, it is becoming clear that implementing intelligent and power-efficient wireless connectivity is an essential element in the numerous Bluetooth products currently on the market or already in use by customers.” He added, “According to ABI Research, Bluetooth Smart products alone are projected to reach 3 billion units annually within the next four years, and the partnership between Nordic and ARM will serve as a good example of industry leaders accelerating this growth.”

"Bluetooth Smart is being developed as an essential element of IoT and is the perfect technology to wirelessly connect small coin-cell battery-based sensors to internet-connected hubs such as smartphones or Wi-Fi bridges," said Geir Langeland, Director of Sales and Marketing at Nordic Semiconductor.

In addition, Director Geir Langeland stated, “It is not difficult to imagine numerous Bluetooth Smart sensors capable of transmitting data from people, machines, and the environment, and wirelessly reporting information to computers to enable analysis and action. As such IoT develops, significant business opportunities will be created for developers. The goal of mbed, supported by Nordic, ARM, and other companies, is to supply tools and silicon that allow engineers to immediately utilize this to develop more easily and quickly.” He further added, “Furthermore, anyone in the world can now develop Bluetooth Smart IoT by easily sourcing the nRF51822-mKIT at an affordable cost from our online partner store.”

The nRF51822-mKIT, featuring the vast mbed ecosystem, is scheduled to be demonstrated at the ARM booth at Embedded World 2014 in Nuremberg, Germany. In addition, Nordic plans to introduce the nRF51822-mKIT at the Norway Pavilion (Booth Hall 6, #6H20) of the Mobile World Congress 2014 held in Barcelona, Spain.