The nRD24V1 is a reference design for development of low cost wireless headsets for PC based VoIP applications using Nordic Semiconductor's nRF24L01 industry leading, low cost, ultra low power 2.4 GHz transceiver.
While BluetoothTM is the dominating technology for wireless voice headsets for mobile phone applications, the nRF24L01 is a better alternative for PC-based applications. Using the nRF24L01 powered by two coin cell batteries, the nRF24V1 Headset Reference Design provides 70 hours of talk-time and 10-metre range, at a lower cost than comparable Bluetooth systems. With an audio class USB dongle, no set up or driver installation is necessary, enabling true plug-and-play wireless headsets for PCs. The system provides two-way, ISDN-like voice quality (8-bit 8ksps A-law coded from 16-bit 8ksps) audio transfer with less that 4 ms latency.
In addition to supporting communication between a headset and a USB dongle the reference designs supports communication between two headsets. (Alternatively, one of the headsets can operate as an analogue dongle using 2 x 3.5 mm audio connectors.)
The reference design significantly eases the development of a wireless headset by providing a unique solution of hardware, software and documentation. Furthermore, the design has been tested for FCC/ETSI and USB compliance.
The hardware comprises three key items. On the headset side the nRF24L01 2.4 GHz transceiver, an 8-bit microcontroller and an audio codec are all integrated onto a separate compact module. This Headset RF Module is mounted on a separate headset application board featuring two coin-cell batteries and buttons for call management. Since the RF module integrates all critical functions, different headset concepts can be easily developed by reusing the RF module without modification. On the receiver side, a production ready USB dongle integrates the nRF24L01 transceiver, an 8-bit microcontroller, an Audio USB controller and a low cost PCB antenna. The dongle supports the standard Audio class driver, eliminating the need for a custom driver for headset operation. All design files, including layout, schematics and bill-of-material (BOM) is included in the kit.
The software includes a unique RF protocol optimized for two-way voice application. The protocol features an advanced agile frequency hopping scheme providing excellent co-existence performance with other 2.4 GHz systems such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cordless phones. In addition the protocol uses a special dual frequency diversity technique to ensure good link quality without using an additional antenna. Support for control data transfer is build into the protocol enabling easy implementation of call management using, for example, SkypeTM. The protocol is implemented as a standalone software module providing a simple and intuitive API to the application layer. Developers can easily modify and enhance the application code supplied without having to handle a complex RF protocol. All software is provided as ANSI-C source code.
An extended set of documentation is provided in the kit including a "Getting Started Guide", providing a step by step guide on how to operate the reference design. The "User Guide" contains a detailed system description and guidelines on how use the reference design to develop a complete headset product. Software documentation is comprised of a "Software Developer Guide", describing the protocol and the application layers.
Kit contents:
· Headset Application Board with mounted RF Module (2 pcs)
· Spare RF Module (2 pcs)
· Headset (2 pcs)
· Batteries
· Programming cable
· USB Dongle (1 pcs)
· nRF24L01 samples (5 pcs)
· Printed "Getting Started Guide" (1 pcs)
· CD
- Design files (Schematics, layout and BOM)
- "User Guide"
- "Software Developer Guide"
- "RF Qualification Test Report"
- "USB Qualification Test Report"
- Software source code (ANSI C)
Ordering information:
Ordering code: nRD24V1-A
Description: Headset Reference Design
Version: 1.0
Price: $299
Estimated shipping date is February 15th 2007
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