Summary of NORDIC’S NRF52832 WL-CSP SOC PROVIDES PROCESSING POWER AND MULTIPROTOCOL SUPPORT FOR TUNDRA LABS’ TL448K6D-VR MODULE
Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52832 WL-CSP SoC was selected by Tundra Labs for its TL448K6D-VR module, a compact 10 x 16.35 x 2.01 mm, sub-1g SiP that simplifies 6DoF SteamVR tracked device design. The module includes a 3-axis accelerometer and gyroscope IMU, nRF52832 (64MHz Cortex M4), a second 120MHz Cortex M4, an 8k LUT FPGA, precision MEMS oscillators, and crystal, and ships programmed with SteamVR firmware. The nRF52832 provides multiprotocol 2.4GHz radio (Bluetooth 5, ANT, proprietary), -96 dB sensitivity, 512kB flash, 64kB RAM, and Nordic’s S132 SoftDevice.
Parts used in the TL448K6D-VR module:
- nRF52832 3.0 x 3.2 mm WL-CSP System-on-Chip (SoC)
- 3-axis accelerometer (part of 6DoF IMU)
- 3-axis gyroscope (part of 6DoF IMU)
- Second 120 MHz Arm Cortex M4 processor
- 8k LUT field-programmable gate array (FPGA)
- Two precision MEMS oscillators
- Crystal oscillator
- SteamVR firmware programmed on module
Nordic Semiconductor today announces that Tundra Labs, a Green Bay, WI-based technology company, has selected Nordic’s nRF52832 multiprotocol System-on-Chip (SoC) for its ‘TL448K6D-VR module’.
The TL448K6D-VR module assists developers to simplify and lower the cost of designing six-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) tracked devices for Valve’s SteamVR gaming platform. The highly integrated module employs the 3.0 by 3.2mm Wafer Level Chip Scale Package (WL-CSP) version of the nRF52832 SoC to deliver an ultra compact 10 by 16.35 by 2.01mm System-in-Package (SiP) form factor weighing less than 1g. A compact and lightweight form factor is a key attribute for body-worn devices as well as head-mounted displays. In addition to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), the module is suitable for computationally intensive tracking, eye tracking, sensor fusion, and motor control applications. The modules are produced in volume, programmed with the latest SteamVR firmware, and functionally tested.
The nRF52832 SoC’s RF performance and multiprotocol support were key requirements, particularly its backward compatibility with nRF24L Enhanced ShockBurst protocol
In addition to the 6DoF inertial measurement unit (IMU)—including a 3-axis accelerometer and 3-axis gyroscope—the module comprises the 64MHz, 32-bit Arm® Cortex® processor-based nRF52832 SoC, a second 120MHz Arm Cortex M4 processor, an 8k LUT field-programmable gate array (FPGA), two precision MEMs oscillators, and a crystal oscillator.
The nRF52832 SoC’s powerful Arm M4 processor is designed support the Floating Point (FP) and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) computations typical of high-end wireless applications. The SoC also integrates a 2.4GHz multiprotocol radio (supporting Bluetooth® 5, ANT™, and proprietary 2.4GHz RF protocol software) featuring -96dB RX sensitivity, with 512kB Flash memory and 64kB RAM. The SoC is supplied with Nordic’s S132 SoftDevice, a Bluetooth 5-certifed RF software protocol stack for building advanced Bluetooth LE applications. Nordic’s software architecture includes a clear separation between the RF protocol software and the developer’s application code, simplifying development and ensuring the SoftDevice doesn’t get corrupted when developing, compiling, testing, and verifying the application code. The S132 SoftDevice features Central, Peripheral, Broadcaster and Observer Bluetooth LE roles, and supports up to twenty connections.
- What SoC does the TL448K6D-VR module use?
The module uses the nRF52832 3.0 x 3.2 mm WL-CSP System-on-Chip from Nordic Semiconductor. - What is the form factor and weight of the module?
The module is a 10 x 16.35 x 2.01 mm System-in-Package (SiP) weighing less than 1 g. - What sensing capabilities does the module include?
It includes a 6DoF inertial measurement unit comprising a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope. - Which processors are included in the TL448K6D-VR?
It includes the nRF52832 64 MHz Arm Cortex M4 processor and a second 120 MHz Arm Cortex M4 processor. - Does the module include FPGA functionality?
Yes, the module includes an 8k LUT FPGA. - What radio protocols does the nRF52832 support in this module?
The nRF52832 supports Bluetooth 5, ANT, and proprietary 2.4 GHz RF protocols, and is backward compatible with the nRF24L Enhanced ShockBurst protocol. - What are the memory specifications of the nRF52832 in the module?
The nRF52832 integrates 512 kB Flash memory and 64 kB RAM. - Does the module ship with firmware installed?
Yes, modules are produced in volume, programmed with the latest SteamVR firmware, and functionally tested. - What software stack is supplied with the nRF52832?
The SoC is supplied with Nordic’s S132 SoftDevice, a Bluetooth 5-certified RF software protocol stack.
