$29 IoT dev kit connects sensors to the cloud in minutes
The SimpleLink SensorTag development kit is designed for easy integration of sensor data with wireless cloud connectivity to speed IoT development. Features include:
- Flexible development with multiple wireless connectivity options including Bluetooth low energy, 6LoWPAN and ZigBee based on the SimpleLink ultra-low power CC2650 wireless microcontroller (MCU)
- 10 integrated low-power sensors with lowest power consumption for multi-year battery life
- DevPack plug-in modules that extend the kits’ functionality and programmability
- Out-of-the-box capabilities with a free iOS or Android app, no programming experience is required to get started
- Connect to the cloud in less than three minutes through TI’s IoT cloud ecosystem including IBM’s Bluemix IoT Foundation
- TI Design reference designs, including 3D print files of the SensorTag enclosures, allow reuse of the SensorTags as a starting point for your own designs
- A Wi-Fi demo-version of the SensorTag will be introduced soon
In addition to cloud connectivity, the SensorTag ecosystem is claimed as making development easier than before. The SensorTag kits come with ready-to-use protocol stacks, free Code Composer Studio integrated development environment (IDE) license, online training and 24/7 online TI E2E community support. TI’s cloud-based software development tools provide access to examples, documentation, software and an integrated development environment (IDE) from the web.
Expanding the standards supported by the SensorTag, there will be two different development kit versions:
- The multi-standard SensorTag, based on the SimpleLink ultra-low-power CC2650 wireless MCU, supports development for Bluetooth Smart, 6LoWPAN and ZigBee. This SensorTag has a feature that allows developers to change between different 2.4 GHz technologies by simply loading new software images directly from the SensorTag app over-the-air. When the SensorTag is used as a ZigBee and 6LoWPAN device, it connects to the cloud through a low-cost BeagleBone Black gateway. For Bluetooth Smart development, it connects to the cloud via a smartphone.
- The Wi-Fi SensorTag will allow users to demo the SimpleLink CC3200 wireless MCU. Further details and availability information will be released at a later date.
Both SensorTags come with 10 integrated low-power sensors including the TI OPT3001 precision ambient light sensor, TI HDC1000 integrated humidity and temperature sensor and TI TMP007 contactless IR thermopile sensor. Additional sensors include a 9-axis motion sensor (gyroscope, compass and accelerometer), altimeter/ pressure sensor, digital microphone and magnet sensor.
New to the next-generation CC2650 SensorTag is the ability for developers to customise their kit to fit their design with new DevPack plug-in modules. DevPacks available today include:
- The $15 Debug DevPack is based on the TM4C1294 microcontroller (MCU) to add debug capabilities to the SensorTag. Plug it into the DevPack expansion header and debug the SensorTag with Code Composer Studio IDE, TI Cloud Tools, or IAR embedded workbench for ARM.
- The Display (watch) DevPack adds a 1.35 in. ultra-low power graphical display to the SensorTag. The Watch DevPack is designed for development of smartwatches, refrigerator displays and any other application that has a need for a remote display.
- The LED Audio DevPack consists of four high power multi-colour LEDs and a 4W audio amplifier powered by a micro-USB for home automation and smart lighting applications.
- If developers cannot find a specific DevPack to fit their needs, they can create their own by downloading the Build Your Own DevPack guide.
The SimpleLink multi-standard CC2650 SensorTag (CC2650STK) costs $29. Related software for each connectivity standard is also available: Bluetooth Smart software; 6LoWPAN software; and ZigBee software
The SimpleLink SensorTag DevPacks are also available; Debug DevPack (CC-DEVPACK-DEBUG) for $15; Display DevPack (DEVPACK-WATCH) for $19; and LED Audio DevPack (DEVPACK-LED-AUDIO) for $19.
Pricing and availability for the SimpleLink Wi-Fi CC3200 SensorTag will be released later in 2015.
SimpleLink SensorTag information page
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