Bluetooth 5 Radio SoC EVM

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About

About the RSL10 Dev Board

The RSL10 Evaluation and Development Board is used for evaluating the RSL10 SoC and for application development.

 

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About the RSL10 SoC

RSL10 is a Bluetooth 5 certified, multi-protocol radio System on Chip (SoC) which brings ultra-low-power Bluetooth Low Energy to wireless applications. Offering the industry’s lowest power consumption, RSL10 helps provide devices like heart rate monitors with advanced wireless features while optimizing system size and battery life.

 

Unique Features of the RSL10

Unlike most other multi-protocol radio SoCs, RSL10 is specifically designed for applications using 1.2 and 1.5 V batteries, and supports a voltage supply range between 1.1 and 3.3 V without a required DC/DC converter. The highly-integrated radio SoC features a dual-core architecture and a 2.4 GHz transceiver, providing the flexibility to support Bluetooth Low Energy and 2.4 GHz proprietary or custom protocols. the RSL10 SIP, Fully-integrated System-in-Package (SiP) for easy designing

 

RSL10 Features

Ultra-Low-Power:

- Industry's lowest power consumption in Deep Sleep Mode (62.5 nW) and Rx in Receive Mode (7 mW)

- Industry's best EEMBC® ULPMark™ scores (1090 ULPMark CP @ 3 V; 1260 @ 2.1 V)

 

Advanced Multi-Protocol Wireless Functionality:

- Rx Sensitivity: - 94 dBM

- Transmitting Power: -17 to +6 dBm

- Supports Bluetooth Low Energy and 2.4 GHz proprietary/custom protocols

- Supports Firmware Over The Air (FOTA)

 

Flexible Voltage Supply Range (1.1 and 3.3 V):

- Supports devices using 1.2 and 1.5 V batteries without a required external DC/DC converter

 

Ultra-Miniature:

RSL10 is offered in a 5.50 mm2 WLCSP and a 6 x 6 mm QFN. For added miniaturization, the radio SoC is also available in a complete System-in-Package (SiP) solution.

 

Sophisticated Dual-Core Architecture:

Features a programmable Arm Cortex-M3 processor for clocking speeds up to 48 MHz and the flexibility to support 2.4 GHz proprietary and custom protocol stacks. An embedded Digital Signal Processor (DSP) enables signal processing intensive applications, such as wireless audio codecs.

 

On-Chip and Software Wireless Support:

Features a 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency Front-End (RFFE) and a Bluetooth 5 certified baseband controller which supports 2 Mbps data rates. A wide range of supported Bluetooth low energy protocols are provided in the RSL10 development tools kit.

 

Highly-Integrated System-on-Chip (SoC):

The powerful dual-core architecture is complemented by high-efficiency power management units, oscillators, flash, and RAM memories, a DMA controller, and peripherals and interfaces.

 

Other Key Technical Features:

- 384 kB of flash memory

- IP protection feature to secure flash contents

- Configurable analog and digital sensor interfaces (GPIOs, LSADs, I2C, SPI, PCM)

 

Applications and End Products

IoT Edge-Node Applications

Bluetooth Low Energy Technology

Wearables

Energy Harvesting

Fitness Trackers/Activity Monitors

Smart Watches

Hearing Aids/Hearables

Heart Rate Monitors

Blood Glucose Monitors (BGM)

Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM)

Pulse Oximeters

Appliances (e.g., A/C, fans, etc.)

Smart Locks

Lighting Applications

Automotive Applications (Qualification Ready Q4/18)

 

Additional information

User Manual

Important Dates

Enrollment Begin: Dec 10 2018

Enrollment Ends: Feb 1  2019

RoadTesters Selected: Feb 7 2019

Product Shipped: Feb 8 2019

RoadTesting Begins: Feb 15 2019

Reminder/Update Email: Mar 15 2019*

Submit Reviews By: Apr 15 2019*

*The element14 RoadTest Staff will send this reminder/update email.

**If a RoadTester is unable to meet the deadline, please notify the RoadTest Program Lead, , as soon as possible before the deadline.

RoadTesters

(due date Apr 15 2019)

(due date Apr 15 2019)

(due date Apr 22 2109)

(due date Apr 28 2019)

Terms and Conditions

RoadTest

RSL10 Bluetooth 5 Certified,Multi-Protocol Radio SoC EVM

Terms and Conditions

These are the terms and conditions which govern the  RSL10 Radio SoC BLE EVM contest. This Contest requires participants to submit an application indicating their previous experience with this type of equipment/component, information on what they would do to test the equipment/component, and the applicant’s desire to post a thorough review of their experience with images, photos, or other supplemental materials. Participants will be required to meet the Conditions for Participation.  The winners of this RoadTest will receive the item(s) listed below. RoadTest Reviews are due no later than 60 days after the receipt of the item(s). No other prizes are offered.

The Principal terms of the Competition:

The following words and phrases are used in these terms and conditions and have the meanings given to them below.

(RoadTest or Contest)

Key dates:

Applications Close: midnight (GMT) on Feb 1 2019

Announcement of Winner (estimated): Feb 5 2019

Prize: Bluetooth 5 Certified,Multi-Protocol Radio SoC EVM

Additional Prizes: none

Competition Site: https://www.element14.com/community/groups/roadtest?ICID=menubar_resources_roadtest

Site or element14 Community: www.element14.com/community

Judges: members of the element14 community team chosen at the Organiser’s discretion.

Judging Criteria, All of the following which will have equal weighting:

· Demonstrated competence with the technologies including links or descriptions of past projects

· Qualifications as indicated by current job role and/or schooling/vocational training;

· A thorough description of how the prize would be tested;

· Likelihood that the Applicant will blog about the prize and provide a review on element14.com;

· Originality;

· Innovation.

Organiser: Premier Farnell plc (registered in England and Wales under company number 876412) whose registered office is at Farnell House, Forge Lane, Leeds, UK

Conditions for Qualification: in addition to meeting the requirements of these terms, all persons applying to take part in the Contest (each one an Applicant) must:

· Provide a RoadTest application describing what he/she would do if awarded the Prize including similar previous projects, product experience and qualifications

Terms: these terms and conditions which govern the Competition and to which the Organiser reserves the right to make changes from time to time and the latest version of these Terms from time to time will be posted to the Site.

  1. Eligibility
  2. Applications:
  3. Selecting Winners:
  4. Liability:
  5. General:

1.1 Save as set out in these Terms, the Contest is open to any natural or legal person, firm or company or group of natural persons or unincorporated body.

1.2 All Applicants must be aged at least 18 at the time of their application.

1.3 Applicants must not enter the RoadTest if doing so or taking part may:

1.3.1 cause the Organiser and/or themselves to be in breach of any agreement (including but not limited to any contract of employment) to which they are a party or in breach of any law, regulation or rule having the force of law to which the Organiser or the Applicant may be subject or any policy of the Organiser or the Sponsor;

1.3.2 Require the Organiser to obtain any licence, authorisation or permission to deal with the Applicant; or

1.3.3 Be in breach of any policy or practice of their employer. Some employers prohibit or restrict their employees from taking part in competitions such as these or receiving prizes under them and the Organiser respects those policies and practices.

The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any Application made in breach of these Terms and to reject any Application which it reasonably believes may be or become in breach. The Organiser reserves the right to require evidence in such form as the Organiser may reasonably require of any Applicant’s compliance with any of these Terms and to disqualify any Applicant or Participant who cannot provide such evidence reasonably promptly.

1.4 Multiple applications are not permitted.

1.5 Applications may not be submitted by an agent whether acting on behalf of an undisclosed principal or otherwise.

1.6 The Contest is NOT open to:

1.6.1 Any person or entity who is a resident or national of any country which is subject to sanctions, embargoes or national trade restrictions of the United States of America, the European Union or the United Kingdom;

1.6.2 Any employee, director, member, shareholder (as appropriate) or any of their direct families (parents, siblings, spouse, partner, children) (“Direct Families”) of the Organiser and Sponsors; or

2.1 Each Applicant must fully complete and submit a RoadTest Application by the Application Close.

2.2 By submitting a Registration Form, each Applicant:

2.2.1 Authorises the Organiser to use his or her personal data (as defined in the Data Protection Act 1998) for the purposes of running and promoting the RoadTest;

2.2.2 Authorises the Organizer to copy, reproduce and publish their application should they be accepted as a Participant;

2.2.3 Will be deemed to have read, accepted and agree to be bound by these Terms. Applicants are advised to print and keep safe these Terms;

2.2.4 Authorises the Organiser to copy, reproduce and use the Application and/or Review for the purposes of the RoadTest and as otherwise contemplated by these Terms. The Organiser will not be responsible for any inaccuracy, error or omission contained in any reproduction or use of the Project Blogs.

2.2.5 Licenses the Organiser to use the intellectual property in the Project (IP) for the purposes of this Contest. As between the Applicant and the Organiser the IP remains owned by the Applicant.

2.2.6 Grants the Organiser the right to use his or her likeness, photographs, logos, trademarks, audio or video recordings without restriction for the purposes of Contest or the promotion of it or the Site;

2.2.7 Agrees to participate positively in all publicity surrounding the Contest;

2.2.8 Agrees to be responsible for all expenses and costs incurred by him or her in preparing for, entering and participating in the Contest (save for any expenses expressly agreed by the Organiser to be borne by it in these Terms);

2.2.9 Confirms that he or she owns all IP used in his or her application or Project or Blogs and indemnifies the Organiser from any claim by a third party that use of any material provided by an Applicant to the Organiser infringes the intellectual property rights of any third party;

2.2.10 Agrees not to act in any way or fail to act in any way or be associated with any cause or group which would have a negative impact on the reputation of the Organiser and/or the RoadTest.

2.3 All applications submitted to this RoadTest must meet the following criteria:

2.3.1 Applicants must be the author, creator and owner of the proposed review idea. Applicants must not submit someone else’s idea;

2.3.2 The proposed application must be reasonably achievable by the within the time constraints of the Contest;

2.3.3 Applications must not include or propose any of the following, the inclusion of which shall render any proposed application ineligible:

(a) Applications which relate to socially taboo topics, such as illicit drug use or sexual gratification;

(b) Applications that are or could reasonably be considered to be illegal, immoral, discriminatory or offensive as determined by the Organiser;

(c) Applications in relation to them which if accepted would infringe or breach any of the policies or terms of access or use of the Site.

2.4 No Application may contain any of the hazardous substances identified by Article 4 of Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament on the Restrictions on the Use of Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment ("the Directive") or the use of such hazardous substances in the in any such Project must not exceed the maximum concentration values set out in the Directive.

3.1 Winners will be selected by the Organiser on the basis of the quality of his or her application and its adherence to these Terms.

3.2 The total number of Winners selected will be at least the minimum number set out above but the actual number is at the sole discretion of the Organizer and/or the Sponsor, if applicable.

3.3 The Organiser will use all reasonable efforts to announce the Winners via an update to the RoadTest page by the date listed above.

3.4 Winners agree to take part in all publicity which the Organiser or the Sponsor wishes to use to promote the RoadTest, the Products featured or other Contests with which the Organiser may be connected from time to time.

3.5 Details of the Winners may also be published in the media.

3.6 Winners are responsible for all applicable taxes, duties or other charges payable in relation to any prize.

3.7

4.1 The Organiser hereby excludes all and any Liability arising out of the Contest or the acceptance, use, quality, condition, suitability or performance of any Prize, even where that Liability may arise from the Organiser’s negligence.

4.2 Nothing in these Terms will affect any Liability of the Organiser for death or personal injury arising from its negligence, for breach of Part II of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (in the event that any entrant is entitled to claim rights under the Consumer Protection Act 1987) or for any matter in relation to which it would be illegal for the Organiser to exclude or to attempt to exclude its Liability.

4.3 Subject to 4.2, neither the Organiser, any parent company nor any subsidiary of the Organiser or such parent company or any of their directors, officers and employees (together referred to in these terms and the ‘Associates’) makes any guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this Competition or the Prizes potentially available under it. Neither the Organiser nor any of its Associates shall be responsible for any Liability that may arise out of or in connection with person’s participation in this Competition, the claiming, redemption or value of any prizes under it, the use or enjoyment of such prizes or any events or circumstances arising out of or in connection with any of them. Any implied warranties of condition, merchantability or suitability or fitness for purpose of any of them are hereby expressly excluded. Wherever used in these Terms, ‘Liability’ shall mean any and all costs, expenses, claims, damages, actions, proceedings, demands, losses and other liabilities (including legal fees and costs on a full indemnity basis) arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the matter concerned.

5.1 The RoadTest is organised and sponsored by the Organiser. The Organiser reserves the right to delegate all or any of its powers, rights and obligations arising in relation to the RoadTest to any Associate and certain such rights and powers are assumed by the Organiser on behalf of itself and each Associate. Reference to “Organiser” shall be deemed to include reference to each Associate.

5.2 The RoadTest may be terminated at any time if there are, in the sole opinion of the Organiser, an insufficient number of entries, or if the Applications are not of an appropriate standard for a competition of this nature. The Organiser has the right to cancel or suspend the RoadTest at any time due to circumstances outside its reasonable control.

5.3 The Organiser shall have the sole discretion to disqualify (without correspondence or right of appeal) any Applicant it considers to be adversely affecting the process or the operation of the RoadTest or to be in breach of these Terms or to be acting in a disruptive manner or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other Applicant or Participant.

5.4 The Organiser has the right to amend or add to these Terms from time to time. Revised Terms and Conditions will be posted on the Contest Site and it is a condition of entry to the RoadTest that Applicants agree to comply with these Terms and, if appropriate, such Terms as amended from time to time.

5.5 Headings are for convenience only and do not affect the interpretation or construction of these Terms and Conditions.

5.6 These Terms and the operation of the Contest shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English Law and any claim or matter arising under these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

Comment List
Anonymous
  • To all roadtesters,

     

     

    If you posted a review, I'd like to thank you.

     

    If you have not, please post it now. It's overdue

     

  • This board looks very useful!

    According to the documentation, it contains an ARM microcontroller chip with Bluetooth LE capability, called the RSL10, and a JTAG type of debugger chip, so that nothing extra is needed for trying out many things. The software development kit allows for C programming, using an Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE).

    Much like an Arduino, there is a USB port for connecting to the PC for programming it up.

    The RSL10 chip contains more than just microcontroller functionality though.

    image

    As far as I can tell, it can serve several purposes:

     

    1. As a general-purpose ARM microcontroller (shown in purple in the diagram below), it has a Cortex-M3 chip, with lots of memory - around 88 kbyte of RAM for data, in various segments, and 386 kbyte of Flash memory, ADC, UART, GPIO and so on
    2. As a Bluetooth LE capable microcontroller
    3. For audio and digital signal processing (DSP) applications since it has an in-built DSP (this requires Synopsys tools) - shown in green in the block diagram below

     

    This is the block diagram of what is inside the RSL10 chip at the heart of the dev-board:

    image

    The software development kit (SDK) comes with lots of example code, ranging from just blinking an on-board LED, all the way to Bluetooth LE applications. I tried downloading it and importing an example "Blinky" application:

    image

    That was straightforward!

    Next, I tried compiling the blinky application:

    image

    The last step in the diagram above should execute the code on the dev-board (I don't have the board to try it, but hopefully it should work).

     

    The information for all this, and the link to the SDK, is available here:

    https://www.onsemi.com/PowerSolutions/supportDoc.do?type=software&rpn=RSL10

  • I suppose the bigger issue is that in order to take advantage of the Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities, you will need a rather modern smartphone released either last year or this year (roughly speaking) to have support for the highest-throughput, lowest-power-consumption modes. Otherwise, it would probably not differ very much from testing a Bluetooth 4.0 LE chipset.

     

    - Gough

     

    EDIT: Perhaps in light of that it might make sense for the RoadTesters to test this unit in conjunction with PAN1762 Bluetooth Evaluation Kit

  • I opened the box. It has the boards that I showed on the page and a USB cable.

     

    Here's the manual

    https://www.onsemi.com/pub/Collateral/EVBUM2529-D.PDF

     

    Here's how they connect it:

     

    image

  • I'd like to apply to check how low power I'd be able to program the device - and how long I would be able to run it on a coin cell battery..

    But doesn't it need an additional piece of hardware - a dongle or receiver that allows you to communicate from a development machine?

    If that's not available one would need to develop a phone app (Android or iPhone) to communicate with it and that's a skill I don't have.

  • I've extended this roadtest because many of the applicants were not quite right for testing this product.

     

    They did not articulate why this product would help them "bring ultra-low-power Bluetooth Low Energy to wireless applications."

     

    Randall Scasny

    RoadTest Program Manager

  • I've read through all the applications. I've brought it down from 53 to 14.

     

    What made these 14 applicants stand out?

     

    All 14 completed all the questions in a serious way. There were some I didn't select because they answer questions like:

     

    (d) What is your planned testing procedure (Be as specific as you can)?

    not sure yet

     

    (c) What interests you about this roadtest?

    every things about it

     

    (d) What is your planned testing procedure (Be as specific as you can)?

    Would prefer to discuss in person

     

    I don't consider these answer serious.

     

    Randall Scasny

    RoadTest Program Manager

  • From the OnSemi product page for the RSL10:

    RSL10 is a Bluetooth 5 certified, multi-protocol radio System on Chip (SoC) which brings ultra-low-power Bluetooth Low Energy to wireless applications.

    Offering the industry’s lowest power consumption, RSL10 helps provide devices like heart rate monitors with advanced wireless features while optimizing system size and battery life.

    Unlike most other multi-protocol radio SoCs, RSL10 is specifically designed for applications using 1.2 and 1.5 V batteries, and supports a voltage supply range between 1.1 and 3.3 V without a required DC/DC converter. The highly-integrated radio SoC features a dual-core architecture and a 2.4 GHz transceiver, providing the flexibility to support Bluetooth Low Energy and 2.4 GHz proprietary or custom protocols.

    This looks quite interesting. Too bad it did not exist when I participated in the 'Sudden impact' design challenge...