NanoBeacon: Revolutionizing IoT Development with No-Code Bluetooth® Technology

The Internet of Things (IoT) industry is undergoing tremendous growth, with an increasing demand for connected devices. However, the development of these devices can be a major challenge, particularly when it comes to embedded software programming. InPlay's NanoBeacon technology offers a solution to this problem by providing a no-code solution through Bluetooth® technology.

NanoBeacon is a cutting-edge technology that is transforming the IoT industry. It's the world's first No-Code Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) Beacon System-on-Chip (SoC) technology, designed specifically for wireless sensor applications. With NanoBeacon, developers can now bring their ideas to life with ease, as it eliminates the need for embedded software programming. This means that mobile app developers can concentrate on writing code for their specific applications without having to worry about the complexities of embedded software development.

NanoBeacon: Revolutionizing IoT Development with No-Code Bluetooth® Technology

 Why Bluetooth® Advertising?

NanoBeacon technology has chosen Bluetooth® Advertising as its communication method due to its various benefits in real-time tracking and wireless sensor applications, including its connectionless nature, which simplifies data acquisition and enhances scalability.

Bluetooth® Advertising is a technique for transmitting minimal amounts of data using Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) technology, allowing devices to broadcast data, known as advertisements, to other BLE-enabled devices in their vicinity. This connectionless approach eliminates the need for pairing and establishing a connection, streamlining the process of data acquisition, and significantly increasing the number of BLE devices from which a Bluetooth central device can gather information.

The data payload in Bluetooth® Advertising is restricted to a few bytes but can contain a wide range of information, such as a device's unique identifier, battery level, or sensor readings. This technology is ideal for real-time tracking and wireless sensor applications due to its low power consumption and compatibility with small, battery-powered devices.

Bluetooth® Advertising's peer-to-peer mode of operation enables devices to communicate directly without requiring an intermediary device or network. This feature makes it suitable for environments where traditional network infrastructure may be unavailable or impractical. Additionally, Bluetooth® Advertising is an open and standardized technology, ensuring widespread support and compatibility with various devices and platforms. This aspect facilitates the development of innovative connected devices that exploit its capabilities.

The incorporation of Bluetooth® Advertising in NanoBeacon technology provides a cost-effective and flexible solution for real-time data transmission. The technology's low power consumption, peer-to-peer capabilities, open standards, and seamless integration with Bluetooth®-based IoT ecosystems, such as smartphones and tablets, make it an ideal choice for real-time tracking and wireless sensor applications. Its connectionless nature further simplifies data acquisition, offering a more efficient and scalable solution.

IN100 – World 1st No Code Bluetooth® Advertising SoC

NanoBeacon SoC - IN100

The In100 chipset, which is the product that utilizes NanoBeacon technology, is a cost-effective solution that offers a small form factor (measuring 2.5mm x 2.5mm x 0.55mm) and low power consumption. This makes it suitable for low profile, space-limited IoT devices. The In100 device is also designed to be highly efficient, enabling it to operate for more than 10 years on a single cell battery. Additionally, the chipset supports a variety of sensor interfaces, including analog and digital, and is compatible with iBeacon and Eddystone protocols, allowing for easy integration with both iOS and Android devices.

IN100 Features

• 2.4 GHz ISM RF frequency band and 2.36 GHz MedRadio band

• Bluetooth® 5.3 technology for increased range and improved power efficiency

• Eliminates the need for software programming making it a no code required SoC design

• Provided configuration tool for developers to configure the device for various operational modes based on their application needs

• Compact size: 2.5 mm x 2.5 mm x 0.55 mm

• Multi-year battery life with adjustable transmission power:

• Sub-µW power consumption

• Sleep current: 650 nA (min.)

• iBeacon and Eddystone support for seamless integration with Apple and Android devices

• Analog sensor interface with up to four channels

• Digital I2C sensor interface support

• UART host interface support

• Built-in ultra-low leakage load switches

• Enhanced security:

• Authentication of Beacon ID

• Privacy of advertising data payload

• On-chip RF matching reduces the development time and eBOM

• Wide operating voltage range: 1.1 V to 3.6 V

• Industrial temperature range

• Ultra-low cost

In addition, InPlay has launched the PC/Linux/MacOS versions of the NanoBeacon Config Tool (Click Here) and the NanoBeacon BLE Scanner app for both iOS and Android (Click Here). These are indeed a big advantage for developers. The desktop config tool provides great flexibility in configuring the In100 device and system, allowing developers to create a variety of wireless IoT products such as iBeacon, Eddystone tags or wireless sensors. The mobile app, on the other hand, acts as a development tool that interacts seamlessly with NanoBeacon SoC In100-based products.

NanoBeacon Config Tool

NanoBeacon BLE Scanner App

With the combination of these tools, developers no longer have to worry about the firmware programming and development costs associated with embedded software development. This allows developers to focus on bringing their ideas to life and bringing their products to market more quickly and easily. The availability of these tools is a major boon for the developer community and is sure to have a significant impact on the IoT industry, by lowering the barriers to entry and making it easier for more people to create innovative connected devices.

Use Cases

With the benefits of NanoBeacon technology, it has become possible for developers to create innovative connected devices with ease. Here are a few real-life use cases of NanoBeacon technology:

1.       Asset Management and Logistics: One real-life use case of NanoBeacon technology is the ability to report real-time presence information. This can replace passive RFID for asset management or logistics applications. The NanoBeacon can be programmed to broadcast its presence in a specific format, such as iBeacon or Eddystone, or a custom format BLE beacon. This allows assets to be tracked and monitored in real-time, providing up-to-date information on their location and status, which is crucial in industries such as logistics. With its no-code embedded development and Bluetooth® integration, NanoBeacon makes it easy for businesses to monitor and track their assets, improving operational efficiency and reducing the risk of losses.

2.       Smart Home Automation: Another use case for NanoBeacon technology is in the realm of smart home automation. With its small form factor and low power consumption, NanoBeacon can detect the presence of individuals within a home and trigger automated actions based on that information. For example, when a NanoBeacon detects the presence of a homeowner, it can turn on the lighting system, adjust the temperature, and even start playing music, creating a personalized and hands-free smart home experience. Additionally, NanoBeacon technology can monitor the presence of pets, children, or elderly individuals, creating a secure and monitored environment.

3.       Wireless Sensor Alert System: Another real-life use case of NanoBeacon technology is the creation of a wireless sensor alert system. This system can monitor various environmental parameters and send out an alert in the case of a breach. This allows designated personnel to take immediate action to mitigate potential harm or damage. With NanoBeacon's no-code embedded development and Bluetooth® integration, this system can be developed and deployed quickly and easily, making it suitable for a wide range of environments and applications, such as data centers, server rooms, industrial processes, and more.

4.       Automotive Applications: NanoBeacon technology has a wide range of applications and is suitable for industries such as the automotive industry, where it can be used in tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). With its small form factor, low power consumption, and efficient operation, the In100 device can be placed inside a tire and monitor tire pressure in real-time, which can be transmitted to a smartphone or tablet app for drivers to monitor and receive alerts.

5.       Manufacturing Applications: Another industry that can benefit from NanoBeacon technology is the manufacturing industry, where it can be used for motor health monitoring systems. With its ability to support a variety of sensor interfaces, NanoBeacon can monitor the performance of industrial motors in real-time and transmit the information to a mobile app, allowing maintenance teams to receive alerts and prevent potential breakdowns. With its no-code embedded development and Bluetooth® integration, NanoBeacon makes it easy for manufacturers to monitor their motor health and ensure the reliability of their operations.

As a result, NanoBeacon technology showcases exceptional adaptability and efficiency, rendering it applicable for a wide variety of use cases, including TPMS and motor health monitoring systems. Catering to the needs of developers and business owners, NanoBeacon's no-code solution, straightforward integration, and cost-effectiveness place it at the forefront of IoT development, paving the way for the emergence of groundbreaking connected devices in the market.