Nordic 2.4GHz ANT Ultra Low Power Wireless Connectivity Selected for Pioneer’s Potter-Navi to Enhance Casual Cyclists’ Fun

New style of navigation computer combines Nordic Semiconductor 2.4GHz ANT ultra low power wireless-equipped sensors and 3G cellular technology to allow users to automatically upload information and performance data about their ride to the Internet

Ultra low power (ULP) RF specialist Nordic Semiconductor ASA (OSE: NOD), today announces its nRF24AP2-8CH ANT chip has been selected for leading Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer Pioneer’s Potter-Navi SGX-CN700 cycle navigation system.

The Potter-Navi uses a 2.4-in color LCD display with GPS to guide the casual rider around the local neighborhood and make their ride more fun. The unit displays navigation information as well as the location of local amenities and points of interest along the route.

During the ride, users can collect data wirelessly from ANT+ heart rate-, speed-, and cadence-sensors for immediate display on the system’s screen – in figures, graphical or meter format – and for uploading to the Internet via a built-in 3G link. The user can then access the information later via a Pioneer website to compare their ride with other excursions.

Initially released in Japan, Potter-Navi comes with two year’s free 3G connectivity courtesy of NTT DoCoMo. The system will be introduced to Europe later this year and North America in 2013. Pioneer plans to follow Potter-Navi with other cycling computers incorporating ANT+ technology. Products will be targeted at both casual and serious cyclists.

The device is equipped Nordic’s ANT chip, running ultra low power ANT RF protocol and application software developed by long-time partner ANT Wireless of Cochrane, Canada, which allows the navigation system to seamlessly communicate with a wide range of proven ANT+ wireless sensors.

The nRF24AP2-8CH ANT chip integrates an ultra low power 2.4GHz transceiver with ANT software, to create a true Single-Chip-Connectivity solution. The chip can support up to eight sensors simultaneously without compromising power consumption. (See “About nRF24AP2™ 8-channel” and “About Nordic ANT wireless connectivity” below.)

“Potter-Navi is a completely new style of navigation, tailored to cyclists to provide new ways to enjoy cycling,” says Junichi Usui, Project Leader, Cycle Project with Pioneer. “Traditional cycling computers store performance data during the ride and then have to be plugged into a home computer later to upload that data; but with Potter-Navi, the data from the ANT+ sensors is automatically immediately uploaded via the 3G link, so when the rider gets home, their information is instantly available from the website.

“We chose ANT+ for the ultra low power wireless connectivity because it is a proven technology used in a wide range of wireless sports sensors,” explains Usui. “By using ANT+ we could be sure that Potter-Navi would be interoperable with all these third-part sensors while using very little battery power.”

“ANT+ is a de facto standard for the cycling sector and has long been used by professional athletes and serious amateurs to monitor and improve their performance,” says Geir Langeland, Nordic Semiconductor’s Director of Sales & Marketing. “However, we’re particularly excited by Pioneer’s use of ANT+ technology because it now makes this advanced ultra low power wireless technology available to casual cyclists to make their riding more fun. This opens up the benefits of ANT+ to a much wider consumer base.”

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