June 20, 2012 – The embedded technology of Silicon Laboratories (Country Manager Jong-Chan Lee), a global specialist in high-performance analog-intensive mixed-signal ICs, is garnering attention for being used to further heighten the atmosphere at a concert by the rock band Coldplay. The audience wore tens of thousands of blinking Xylobands™ LED wristbands equipped with Silicon Labs technology, illuminating the concert hall. No other concert venue has ever emitted such bright, dynamic, and mesmerizing light. Developed by RB Concepts Ltd. of the UK, the Xylobands utilized Silicon Labs' wireless ICs and ultra-low-power microcontrollers (MCUs) to receive and process wireless signals that illuminate the wristband's LEDs in sync with the music and stage lighting.

The Xyloband is an original invention developed and patented by Jason Regler, a co-owner of RB Concepts, who is a fan of Coldplay and an inventor. Inspired by Coldplay's energetic music and lyrics, Regler came up with the ingenious idea of allowing audiences to become part of a light show by controlling wireless LED wristbands via patented software and a laptop connected to a wireless transmitter. Recognizing Regler's originality, the Brit Award and Grammy Award-winning rock band Coldplay was captivated by this innovative idea and is using the Xyloband at concert venues around the world.

Jason Regler, Director of Technology and Innovation at RB Concepts, said, “Taking the LED wristband from a simple idea to a final product required industry-leading embedded control and wireless technology. It was a very wise choice to utilize Silicon Labs’ wireless technology. Through our collaboration with Silicon Labs, we were able to obtain both FCC and ICC (Industry Canada Certification) and supply over 30,000 Xylobands on time for the recent Coldplay concert in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.”

Phil Harvey, Creative Director of Coldplay, said, “RB Concepts and Silicon Labs are truly outstanding companies. Both companies have supplied hundreds of thousands of products whenever and wherever we wanted. The wireless LED wristbands broke down the invisible wall between the band and the audience and brought the audience to the heart of the performance. The incredible feeling of joy and excitement when the audience all lights up the band at the climax of the show is hard to describe in words.”
Xyloband has various advantages. In addition to lighting up rock concerts, Xyloband can elicit interactive audience participation at various sports events, theme parks, festivals, parties, corporate events, and more.

Diwakar Vishakhadatta, Vice President and Head of Wireless Embedded Systems at Silicon Labs, stated, “Xyloband and the low-power, long-range wireless technology applied to the product are a game changer that will change the industry landscape by demonstrating how audiences can interact with performers and become one in the concert experience.”

Seeing is believing. You can see the Xyloband blinking during Coldplay’s performance of “Charlie Brown” at Rexall Place in Edmonton via http://www.coldplay.com/livetransmissions_video.php?id=8975 .

Silicon Labs' technology applied to the Xyloband
Silicon Labs' EZRadioPRO transmitters enable Xyloband base stations to transmit wireless signals in the sub-GHz frequency band. These transmitters provide excellent wireless range based on industry-leading RF performance and comply with strict regulatory standards. Xyloband LED wristbands include EZRadio receiver ICs designed for low-power sub-GHz wireless applications. These receivers achieve low power consumption by eliminating many RF-related activities of the system MCU, thereby extending the MCU's sleep mode duration. EZRadio products operate with Silicon Labs' ultra-low-power C8051F98x MCUs to provide the industry's lowest current consumption in active mode, enabling applications to save power even while running. Additionally, current consumption in sleep mode is also among the lowest in the industry, making them ideal for battery-operated wireless applications.