Nordic nRFready Smart Remote User manual

Doc. ID 4414_003 v1.2 2017-07-04
nRFready Smart Remote 3 for nRF51
User Guide
v1.2

Contents
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Contents
Revision history.................................................................................................................... 4
Chapter1:Introduction...................................................................................5
1.1 Smart Remote 3 DK add-on..................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Smart Remote 3 nRF51 product example....................................................................................................... 5
Chapter2:Kit content..................................................................................... 7
2.1 Hardware content..................................................................................................................................................... 7
2.2 Downloadable content........................................................................................................................................... 8
Chapter3:Quick start..................................................................................... 9
3.1 Assemble the Smart Remote 3 hardware........................................................................................................9
3.2 Power up....................................................................................................................................................................10
3.3 Program your DK with the Smart Remote 3 firmware..............................................................................10
3.4 Turn on and pair with Windows.......................................................................................................................10
3.5 Ubuntu setup........................................................................................................................................................... 12
3.6 Turn on and pair with Ubuntu.......................................................................................................................... 13
3.7 Configure audio input.......................................................................................................................................... 15
3.7.1 Test voice recognition......................................................................................................................... 16
3.7.2 Listening to audio quality.................................................................................................................. 17
Chapter4:System overview......................................................................... 18
4.1 Remote control........................................................................................................................................................19
4.1.1 Pairing........................................................................................................................................................ 19
4.1.2 Trackpad....................................................................................................................................................19
4.1.3 Accelerometer.........................................................................................................................................21
4.1.4 Free-space navigation..........................................................................................................................22
4.1.5 Intelligent power saving.....................................................................................................................24
4.1.6 Keypad....................................................................................................................................................... 24
4.1.7 Infrared LED.............................................................................................................................................25
4.2 Firmware upgrading..............................................................................................................................................26
Chapter5:Hardware description: Smart Remote 3 DK add-on.................27
5.1 Hardware figures: Smart Remote 3 DK add-on........................................................................................... 28
5.2 Block diagram.......................................................................................................................................................... 29
5.3 Design description................................................................................................................................................. 30
5.3.1 Trackpad....................................................................................................................................................30
5.3.2 Keypad matrix.........................................................................................................................................31
5.3.3 Low-power accelerometer circuit................................................................................................... 33
5.3.4 Motion tracking device....................................................................................................................... 34
5.3.5 Power supply...........................................................................................................................................35
5.3.6 Infrared LED and driver.......................................................................................................................36
5.3.7 Codec......................................................................................................................................................... 36
5.3.8 Digital microphones (only for use with nRF52 DK)...................................................................37
5.3.9 nRF51 DK interface............................................................................................................................... 37

Contents
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5.3.10 nRF52 DK interface.............................................................................................................................39
5.3.11 Current measurement.......................................................................................................................41
5.3.12 I2C bus connector............................................................................................................................... 42
5.3.13 Schematics, bill of materials, PCB layout files, production files......................................... 42
Chapter6:Hardware description: Smart Remote 3 nRF51 product
example...................................................................................................... 43
6.1 Hardware figures: SR 3 product example......................................................................................................43
6.2 Block diagram.......................................................................................................................................................... 45
6.3 Design description................................................................................................................................................. 45
6.3.1 I/O usage...................................................................................................................................................45
6.3.2 Keypad matrix.........................................................................................................................................46
6.3.3 Low-power accelerometer circuit................................................................................................... 47
6.3.4 Motion tracking device....................................................................................................................... 48
6.3.5 Power supply...........................................................................................................................................49
6.3.6 Codec......................................................................................................................................................... 50
6.3.7 Programming interface....................................................................................................................... 51
6.3.8 Matching network.................................................................................................................................52
6.3.9 Antenna.....................................................................................................................................................52
6.3.10 Schematics, bill of materials, PCB layout files, production files......................................... 52
Chapter7:Firmware update of Smart Remote 3........................................ 54
7.1 Connect the product example to the nRF51 DK........................................................................................ 54
7.2 Flash programming................................................................................................................................................55
7.3 Programming and erasing flash using nRFgo Studio............................................................................... 55
7.4 Selecting a board to program........................................................................................................................... 56
7.5 Chip and memory information..........................................................................................................................56
7.6 Erase all.......................................................................................................................................................................57
7.7 Programming SoftDevice.....................................................................................................................................57
7.8 Programming application....................................................................................................................................58
Legal notices.......................................................................................................................60

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Revision history
Date Version Description
July 2017 1.2 Updated:
• Chapter Hardware description: Smart Remote 3 DK add-on on page
27
December 2016 1.1 Created PDF
December 2015 1.0 First release

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Chapter 1
Introduction
The nRFready Smart Remote 3 reference design for the nRF51 Series (nRF6934) is a low-cost development
platform providing a quick and easy starting point for TV remote control applications for Internet-enabled TVs,
set-top boxes, and media players. Providing a single-chip solution that is easily implemented, this kit comes
complete with source code and documentation for Bluetooth® low energy applications.
This reference design contains two remote controls, one for development and another for demo purposes.
1.1 Smart Remote 3 DK add-on
The Smart Remote 3 DK add-on (nRF6932) is a board that allows you to connect to the nRF51 Development Kit
(nRF51 DK, not included in this kit). Plugging the DK add-on onto the nRF51 DK gives you access to the radio
components for developing your remote control design.
Based on the nRF51822 multiprotocol System on Chip (SoC), it is optimized for low-power and low-cost
applications and leverages both Bluetooth® low energy and 2.4 GHz proprietary protocols.
Important: The Smart Remote 3 DK add-on (nRF6932) v1.2 and later is compatible with both nRF51
and nRF52 development kits.
Features:
• Standard remote control keypad
• Motion wakeup detection using low-power accelerometer
• 3D motion tracking using gyroscope and InvenSense® motion library
• Multi-touch trackpad (supports up to five points of contact)
• Voice input using an analog electrostatic microphone (only nRF51)
• Voice input using two digital PDM microphones (only nRF52)
• Infrared LED for legacy support (only nRF52)
• Arduino standard interface for connection to the nRF5x Development Kit
• Optimized power management for low power consumption
1.2 Smart Remote 3 nRF51 product example
The Smart Remote 3 nRF51 product example (nRF6933) is a fully-designed remote control featuring an analog
microphone input, a gyroscope, and a typical remote control keypad. It features a subset of the functionality
of the Smart Remote 3 DK add-on, allowing the board to fit nicely into a remote control plastic housing.
Features:
• Standard remote control keypad

1 Introduction
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• Motion wakeup detection using low-power accelerometer
• 3D motion tracking using gyroscope and InvenSense® motion library
• Voice input using an analog electrostatic microphone
• Optimized power management for low power consumption
• Powered by two AA batteries
• SWD interface connector for programming and debugging

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Chapter 2
Kit content
The nRFready Smart Remote 3 reference design consists of hardware and access to software components,
reference design files, and documentation.
2.1 Hardware content
nRFready Smart Remote 3 reference design hardware consists of the DK add-on, product example, batteries
and a Bluetooth® dongle.
Figure 1: nRFready Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 Series hardware content

2 Kit content
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2.2 Downloadable content
The nRFready Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 Series reference design includes firmware source code,
documentation, hardware schematics, and layout files.
To access these files, go to the Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 web page and follow the instructions given there.
Firmware package
• Firmware for nRFready Smart Remote 3
• Precompiled HEX files
• Source code
• nRF51 SDK 9.0.0 (with Keil 5 Packs, and MDK packages for Keil 4 and IAR)
• Project files for Keil, ARM®, IAR and ARM GCC
• S110 SoftDevice
• Nordic Voice System (NVS) package version 4.4 (requires Ubuntu 14.04 LTS)
• Firmware documentation (will be available in a folder on your computer after you have run the installer
file)
Hardware files
The zip file and its subdirectories contain the hardware design files for the nRFready Smart Remote 3 for nRF51
Series reference design.
• Altium Designer files
• Schematics
• PCB layout files
• Production files
• Drill files
• Assembly drawings
• Gerber files
• Pick-and-place files
• Bill of materials
Other relevant nRF51822 documentation
•nRF51 Series Reference Manual
•nRF51822 Product Specification
•S110 SoftDevice Specification
•nRF51822 PAN
•nRF51 SDK v9.0.0

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Chapter 3
Quick start
Setting up the nRFready Smart Remote 3 reference design requires only a few steps. Example applications
help you start programming your device.
Hardware requirements
Additional hardware needed to use the Smart Remote 3 DK add-on:
•nRF51 Development Kit (sold separately)
Operating system requirements
The nRFready Smart Remote 3 complies with the HID-over-GATT profile. The following is needed to set up a
computer as the Bluetooth® low energy host.
• Basic use:
• Windows 8, Windows RT, or Windows 10 for HID-over-GATT standard functions
• Linux with Bluetooth® 4.0 support (for example BlueZ 5.0 or later)
• Use with audio:
• Ubuntu 14.04 LTS with Nordic Voice System (NVS) package. See Ubuntu setup on page 12
3.1 Assemble the Smart Remote 3 hardware
Unpack the kit and connect the DK add-on to the nRF51 Development Kit.
1. Unpack your nRFready Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 Series reference design.
2. Plug the nRF51 Development Kit (sold separately) carefully in on the backside of the Smart Remote 3 DK
add-on as shown in the figure.
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3.2 Power up
The Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 product example will be on as soon as the batteries are inserted. The DK add-
on can be powered either by the USB or the batteries.
Powering up the add-on requires the following steps:
1. Plug in the USB cable or insert batteries into the battery compartment.
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2. If powered by the USB, turn on the power with the power switch. If powered by the batteries it will be on as
soon as the batteries are inserted.
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3.3 Program your DK with the Smart Remote 3 firmware
To use the DK add-on, the nRF51 Development Kit must first be programmed with the firmware. The product
example is preprogrammed, and does not need any programming to get started.
1. Connect the nRF51 DK with DK add-on attached to a computer with a USB cable.
Important: When programming the DK for the first time, it is recommended not to connect the
DK add-on hardware, as the DK I/Os are in an unknown state, which may result in overcurrent
consumption.
2. See Firmware update of Smart Remote 3 on page 54 for details on firmware update.
3.4 Turn on and pair with Windows
The Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 can be connected with Bluetooth® to a host system using Windows.
nRFready Smart Remote will only pair and work with Bluetooth® 4.0 or later, and HID-over-GATT-compliant
host systems. The nRFready Smart Remote 3 functionality will vary depending on the supported features in
these platforms.

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1. If your computer is not Bluetooth® 4.0 enabled, insert the Bluetooth® dongle (supplied) into your computer
and wait until the dongle is recognized and the drivers installed properly.
2. Power up the board either by inserting batteries into the battery compartment or by sliding the power
switch on the DK to ON position (DK add-on only).
3. Pairing mode is automatically selected if Smart Remote 3 was not bound to a previous host. To delete
existing bonds and to enter into pairing mode, power up Smart Remote 3 while pressing the orange
button between the Channel + and Volume + buttons.
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4. On your computer, navigate to the Bluetooth menu (press the Windows key or open the Start menu and
type Bluetooth).
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5. When discovered, you will see Smart Remote 3 in the list over Bluetooth devices. Select it and click Pair to
begin pairing.
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6. After successfully pairing, the device will show up as connected in the list of Bluetooth devices.
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3.5 Ubuntu setup
Ubuntu LTS has no native support for HID-over-GATT, and therefore you have to first install the Nordic Voice
System (NVS) package to support the HID-over-GATT profile.
1. Download the NVS package nvs-4.4.tgz from the Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 start page.
2. Open a terminal (CTRL + ALT + T).

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3. Navigate to the folder where nvs-4.4.tgz is located.
4. Unpack the nvs-4.4.tgz file by typing tar -xf nvs-4.4.tgz.
5. Open the file nvs-4.4/binaries/HOWTO-install.txt and follow the steps there to complete the
installation.
3.6 Turn on and pair with Ubuntu
The Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 can be connected with Bluetooth® to a host system using Ubuntu.
Make sure that you have set up Ubuntu as described in Ubuntu setup on page 12 before you start.
1. If your computer is not Bluetooth® 4.0 enabled, insert the Bluetooth® dongle (supplied) into your computer
and wait until the dongle is recognized and the drivers installed properly.
2. Power up the board, either by inserting batteries into the battery compartment, or by sliding the power
switch on the DK to ON position (DK add-on only).
3. Pairing mode is automatically selected if the Smart Remote 3 was not bound to a previous host. To delete
existing bonds and enter pairing mode, power up the Smart Remote 3 while pressing the orange button
between between the Channel + and Volume + buttons.
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4. On your computer, navigate to the Bluetooth icon and select Bluetooth Settings.
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5. To search for a new device, click the + button in the Bluetooth window.
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6. When discovered, you will see Smart Remote 3 in the Device list. Select it and click Continue to begin
pairing.
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7. After successfully pairing, the device will show up connected in the Devices list.

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3.7 Configure audio input
The Ubuntu audio settings need to be configured before voice recognition will work.
Before you start, make sure that you have set up Ubuntu as described in Ubuntu setup on page 12.
1. Under All Settings, select Sound and then select the Input tab.
2. Select the NVS device from the list of input sources.
Input level should now indicate that it is receiving input.
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3. To stop streaming, select All Settings or close the window.
3.7.1 Test voice recognition
To test the voice recognition feature, download and install Google Chrome.
1. Open up Chrome. Select Dash Home and type Google Chrome. Click the Google Chrome icon that is
displayed.
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2. Go to google.com. If you are redirected to a local Google version, click Google.com in the lower-right
corner of the webpage.
3. Click the microphone icon. Chrome will stop recording automatically when you stop talking. If you do not
see the microphone icon, the GVoice application might not be installed. Go to the Google Chrome Web
Store to download and install GVoice.
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3.7.2 Listening to audio quality
Audio quality can be verified by looping the sound directly from the Ubuntu input source (Voice Input
Module) to the output (speakers).
1. To enable loopback, open a terminal (CTRL + ALT + T).
2. In the terminal window, type the following command:
pactl load-module module-loopback latency_msec=20
The command latency_msec=20 is optional. It helps to minimize the acoustic feedback. Some
machines do not accept the command and may return error codes. In that case, just invoke module-
loopback without specifying latency.
3. If successful, this command returns a handle number. Invoking this command multiple times generates
multiple loopback instances with independent handles.
4. To disable the loopback, type the following command in the terminal window:
pactl unload-module x
where x is the handle module number returned when enabling the loopback.
If Smart Remote 3 is not connected and selected as the audio input source, sound will be streamed from
the computer microphone to the computer speakers causing acoustic feedback.

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Chapter 4
System overview
This chapter describes the functionality of the remote control including how it can be used for development
purposes.
There are two main hardware components in the reference design:
• nRFready Smart Remote 3 DK add-on (nRF6932)
• nRFready Smart Remote 3 nRF51 product example (nRF6933)
When the Smart Remote 3 DK add-on (nRF6932) is inserted into a nRF51 DK, you have a functioning remote
control (see Assemble the Smart Remote 3 hardware on page 9 for instructions). The term remote control
refers to the Smart Remote 3 product example (nRF6933) or Smart Remote 3 DK add-on (nRF6932) after it is
inserted into the nRF51 DK.
Figure 2: The remote control with a connected TV
Communication in the system is digital and packet-based, which means that data between the remote control
and the host is exchanged as discrete packets of information. The nRF device checks the status of the trackpad
and the keypad matrix before sending this information to the host. The driver on the computer decodes the
packages allowing you to use the remote control as both a pointing device and keypad.
Important: The term host refers to a Bluetooth® low energy compliant device which supports the HID-
over-GATT profile. Windows 10, for instance, natively supports the HID-over-GATT profile provided
there is Bluetooth® low energy hardware connected to the system. A computer with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS,
Nordic Voice System (NVS) package and Bluetooth® 4.0 dual-mode (low energy) hardware can also be a
host.
For further details on the software and firmware included, please consult the firmware documentation, code
API, or the code itself.

4 System overview
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4.1 Remote control
The flexibility of the remote control allows you to experiment with your own firmware and functionality. After
pairing, the trackpad, accelerometer, and free-space navigation can be enabled and calibrated.
Important: Gyroscope calibration is performed automatically the first time the firmware is run on the
hardware.
4.1.1 Pairing
When the remote control is turned on, it will attempt to connect to a bonded Bluetooth® low energy
compatible master if bonds are available. Otherwise it will be in pairing mode and will wait for connection
from host.
The Smart Remote 3 features the HID-over-GATT profile and can connect to any Bluetooth® low energy host
system supporting this profile. The HID-over-GATT profile is a direct mapping from the USB HID standard. In
addition to controlling how the HID data is transferred through the wireless link, the profile requires the use
of Bluetooth® device security. Security and data encryption are handled by the Bluetooth® Security Manager,
which is a Bluetooth® protocol layer handled by nRF51822. On the master side of the Bluetooth® link, the
Security Manager is handled in the Bluetooth® driver stack.
If no bonds are stored in flash, the remote control will start to advertise to Smart Ready devices for pairing
when it is turned on. When Smart Remote 3 is in this advertising state, the Bluetooth® host platform should
be instructed to start scanning for and then to connect to it. During this initial connection an encrypted link is
configured by nRF51822 and the host transmits HID commands to the Smart Remote 3 according to the HID-
over-GATT profile.
The remote control will stay in bond mode for 180 seconds waiting for a Bluetooth® connection. If no
connection is established, the remote control will enter deep sleep. Bonding mode will be resumed upon user
activity.
Although the specifics of the pairing process may differ between platforms, the main steps remain the same.
1. Scan for Smart Remote 3.
2. Connect to Smart Remote 3.
3. Bond/pair with Smart Remote 3.
Read more about Bluetooth® low energy and HID- over-GATT at developer.bluetooth.org.
4.1.2 Trackpad
The trackpad has five-point multi-touch functionality and advanced gesture recognition, making it a versatile
interface device for the remote control.
The trackpad is a Synaptics® ClickPad. It is identified as a standard mouse by your computer and does not
require any special software application to work.
Basic use
To use the trackpad, place one of your fingers on the surface of the pad as shown in Figure 3: One-finger
movement on page 20. As you move your finger along the trackpad surface, you should see the mouse
cursor on your computer screen moving according to the movement of your finger.

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Figure 3: One-finger movement
To perform the equivalent to a left-click on your mouse, you can either press down the left side of the trackpad
until you feel a button-like click, or tap the surface of the trackpad anywhere with your finger.
Common gestures
Figure 4: Two-finger horizontal scroll on page 21 and Figure 5: Two-finger vertical scroll on page 21
depict trackpad gestures that can be performed.