Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF52833 SoC is being used to power the Galaxy SmartTag from global IT/mobile company Samsung Electronics. The ‘Galaxy SmartTag’ provides a simple and effective way to keep track of commonly misplaced items, such as keys or bags. Nordic’s SoC provides Bluetooth® LE wireless connectivity, which Galaxy SmartTags use to pair with the ‘SmartThings’ app on Galaxy smartphones.

Asset tracking made easy

“Nordic is delighted to be working closely with Samsung Electronics on the new Galaxy SmartTag to ensure a reliable wireless connectivity experience for the consumer,” says Bjørn Åge “Bob” Brandal, Nordic Semiconductor, VP of Sales and Marketing, Asia Pacific. “The demand for consumer asset tracking solutions has witnessed significant growth in our increasingly mobile world, and Samsung is a technology leader in this area.”

For tagged items lost but still within Bluetooth LE range, the SmartThings’ ‘search nearby’ feature lets users see the Galaxy SmartTag’s signal strength. The app shows a green area that grows larger as the phone gets nearer to the tag, while the ‘ring’ feature allows the tag to emit a beeping sound. If the tag is out of range, the user will receive a smartphone or smartwatch notification letting them know the item has been left behind.

It can then be located using the ‘SmartThings Find’ network of over 200 million nodes. Any nearby Galaxy smartphone or tablet that has opted in to helping find lost items can alert the Samsung server, which in turn alerts the owner. SmartThings Find user data is encrypted and securely protected, ensuring the location is only revealed to the owner.

Bluetooth Direction Finding capability and the nRF52833 SoC

The Nordic nRF52833’s 2.4GHz multiprotocol radio is capable of all Bluetooth Direction Finding features, enabling positioning applications that rely on signal direction as well as received signal strength indication (RSSI). Its generous memory allocation (512kB Flash and 128 kB RAM) supports both receiver and transmitter roles for Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) and Angle-of-Departure (AoD) applications.

The nRF52833 SoC has been engineered to minimize power consumption, which enables long-lasting battery life. The CR2032 coin cell battery used in the Galaxy SmartTag can last up to a year, improving users’ chances of locating their missing items.

With Nordic’s Bluetooth LE wireless connectivity, Galaxy SmartTags can do more than locating valuables. They can also be programmed to perform automated tasks for SmartThings-compatible devices, such as activating a home security system, dimming the lights, or controlling a smart TV.

“At Samsung, we continuously find new ways to make people’s everyday lives easier and more convenient,” said Jaeyeon Jung, Executive Vice President. “Nordic’s expertise with chipsets and wireless connectivity helps to make the Galaxy SmartTag a reliable and essential part of the ever-growing Galaxy ecosystem.”

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