Feature-packed smart ring modules integrate Nordic’s nRF54L15 SoC
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Bravechip, a developer of chiplet chip-level solutions for the Artificial Internet of Things (AIoT), has launched a suite of modules based on Nordic Semiconductor’s next generation nRF54L15 ultra-low power wireless SoC. The modules are designed to help developers of smart rings bring new products to market faster, while providing a compact yet powerful solution with extended battery life.
nRF54L15’s advanced processor powers sensors
The 5 by 5 mm ‘BCL603S2H’ smart ring chiplet integrates the nRF54L15 SoC to provide Bluetooth LE wireless connectivity between a smart ring and the wearer’s smartphone. In addition to the connectivity, the Nordic SoC’s Arm Cortex-M33 processor is clocked at 128 MHz, and a RISC-V coprocessor runs software-defined peripherals while handling time-critical tasks, together with 1.5 MB non-volatile memory (NVM) and 256 KB RAM, this ensures the Bravechip chiplet has ample processing power for running a host of integrated sensors that enable smart ring functionality.
Five different variants of the module are available, with the base model’s sensors providing heart rate, blood oxygen, body temperature, exercise, sleep and stress metrics, while the top end module also provides medical-grade Pulse Wave Transit Time (PWTT) blood pressure monitoring and ECG data. Additional functionality depending on model includes gesture recognition, touch interaction, NFC, vibration alert and a microphone.
“Thanks to Nordic’s next generation nRF54L15 SoC there is no limit to the functionality smart ring developers can provide to the end user with the BCL603S2H chiplet,” says Jin Zongming, the CEO of Bravechip. “In addition to medical-grade health monitoring, it supports gesture control of smart glasses, smartphones and smart home devices, as well as touch control of a smartphone camera or music. In-built NFC powers payment functionality, the microphone supports voice recording, while the haptic sensor enables message reminders. From a single smart ring anything is possible.”
Ultra-low power consumption
Despite its ultra-compact size, the chiplet integrates a PMIC and an LDO linear voltage regulator providing low power consumption and allowing smart rings to be used for an extended time from a single charge, eliminating the need for frequent charging and improving the user experience. The low power consumption also reduces heat generation which can cause discomfort for the smart ring wearer. The low power consumption is thanks in part to the ultra-low power characteristics of the nRF54L15 SoC, including Nordic proprietary technologies such as low-leakage RAM and design expertise utilised in the company’s fourth generation ultra-low power multiprotocol 2.4 GHz radio.
“Bravechip selected the nRF54L15 SoC for our smart ring chiplet for its lower power consumption, smaller size, computing power, and faster clock speed,” continues Zongming. “The faster frequency enables smart rings to react quickly to the user’s operation instructions while handling multiple tasks at the same time. The computing power allows the chiplet to run more complex algorithms and AI models, as well as efficiently process large amounts of health data.
“Nordic also provides an abundance of reference designs enabling developers to both reduce development costs and accelerate time to market.”
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