Texas Instruments announced voice remote control solutions as part of its SimpleLink ultra-low power platform. These were created to help developers easily add ultra-low power Bluetooth low energy, ZigBee RF4CE or multi-standard connectivity to their designs for voice remote controls, TVs, set-top boxes and more.
Developers can do more with less power by taking advantage of the ultra-low power nature of new SimpleLink ZigBee RF4CE CC2620 wireless microcontroller (MCU) as well the existing Bluetooth low energy CC2640 wireless MCU or the multi-standard CC2650 solution to create feature-rich remote controls with different technologies. Engineers can reuse their R&D investment for multiple standards and products. Additionally, developers can differentiate products without sacrificing battery life with advanced features such as voice-activated commands and search, gesturing, pointing and more.
TI makes Bluetooth low energy and RF4CE development for remote controls easier by offering an all-in-one SimpleLink multi-standard CC2650 remote control development kit (CC2650RC) which also connects to the SimpleLink SensorTag ecosystem to expand functionality using DevPack plug-in modules.
Using the MSP430FR2633 MCU with CapTIvate technology, developers can also add features like gesture pad, capacitive buttons, sliders and grip detection to their remote designs while operating at less than 4 uA average current.
The SimpleLink ultra-low power platform of wireless MCUs has integration at its core with an ultra-low power, multi-standard radio, ARM Cortex-M3 core, direct microphone interface, up to 31 GPIOs, sensor controller and more in a single package from 4×4 to 7×7 mm. With advanced integration and size options, developers can implement RF4CE, Bluetooth low energy or multi-standard connectivity solutions with voice capabilities into a wide range of applications such as wearables, building automation and automotive, as well as in the traditional remote control use cases for TVs and set-top boxes. In addition to these traditional ways of controlling your electronics or TV, this technology can enable end users to use their voice to search for or record their favorite TV show, control lights from across the room or simply input text with their voice.
Pricing and availability
The SimpleLink ultra-low power wireless MCU-based development kit for remote controls is available now on the TI Store and through authorized distributors.
· CC2650RC: USD $49.00 including the remote control kit and quick start guide.
· There are also additional development kit bundles available for Bluetooth low energy and RF4CE.
The SimpleLink ZigBee RF4CE CC2620 and Bluetooth low energy CC2640 wireless MCUs are available in different QFN package sizes from4x4 to 7x7mm and the pricing is as follows starting at:
· CC2620 wireless MCU for RF4CE: $ 2.60 in 1,000 unit volumes
· CC2640 wireless MCU for Bluetooth low energy: $ 2.60 in 1,000 unit volumes
· CC2650 wireless MCU for multi-standard connectivity: $ 3.00 in 1,000 unit volumes
TI’s SimpleLink wireless connectivity portfolio
TI’s SimpleLink portfolio of low and ultra-low power wireless connectivity solutions – wireless MCUs and wireless network processors (WNPs) for the broad embedded market – makes it easier to develop and connect anything to the Internet of Things (IoT).
