MARIN, Switzerland, 7 October - Today, EM Microelectronic, the semiconductor company of the Swatch Group, proudly acknowledges that the industry’s lowest power Bluetooth Smart beacons, EMBC01 and EMBC02, have achieved Eddystone certification. Eddystone is the open beacon format from Google. Unlike many other commercially available beacons, EM Beacons can broadcast multiple interleaved beacon formats (such as iBeacon, Eddystone or AltBeacon), and can also be configured over the air.

Eddystone has been created by Google as an open protocol over Bluetooth Smart that brings new capabilities to beacons. In particular, its beacon format includes the Eddystone-URL frame type which is foreseen by Google to unleash the core superpower of the web: interaction on demand. People should be able to walk up to any smart device - a vending machine, a poster, a toy, a bus stop, a rental car - and not have to download an app first. Everything should be just a tap away.

EM Microelectronic’s line of smart beacons already covers several packet formats such as iBeacon, AltBeacon, and proprietary protocols. Today, Eddystone is also available as a nice and complementary addition to EM’s unique multi-format and protocol offering. “Achieving Eddystone certification is another proud milestone for the EM beacon portfolio, demonstrating their high flexibility and capacity for adapting to new and emerging industry standards.” says Michel Willemin, CEO of EM Microelectronic Marin. He adds “EM’s Bluetooth Smart radio IC and beacon technologies are the optimal solution for broadcasting smart sensor data towards the cloud”.

EM Bluetooth Smart beacons can operate for more than 12 months on a single CR2032 coin cell, which is recognized by many customers as industry’s best figure of merit in terms of autonomy to battery size ratio. The EMBC01 is a proximity beacon that offers a flexible, low-cost, low-power and fully certified solution compatible with Eddystone frame types, where each deployed beacon can be uniquely identified with a physical location and/or specific web location. The EMBC02 beacons add a 3-axis accelerometer to transmit motion data (movements, vibrations, acceleration) as well as specific motion-based alarms originating from shock, free-fall or taps, over an Eddystone frame, enabling a wide range of motion-based beacon applications. The accelerometer also allows users to maximize battery life by “beaconing” data only when required, e.g. while in motion, or when an alarm condition occurs.

EMBC01 and EMBC02 are completely programmable and capable of supporting multiple interleaved beacon standards. They are FCC/CE/IC certified, include a multi-function button for input and two LEDs for user feedback, and are enclosed in a sleek, weatherproof (IP-64) housing. In addition, EM beacons are easy to deploy right out of the box!

Further information & availability
Eddystone: https://developers.google.com/beacons/
Eddystone-URL frame type: http://google.github.io/physical-web/

Technical information, applications support and white papers are available at www.emdeveloper.com.

EMBC01/02 beacons, EMBC01/02 Development Kits and EMBC01/02 accessories are available through your local EM salesperson or distributor. More information on EM beacon solutions can be found at www.emmicroelectronic.com/products/wireless-rf/beacons.

Notes to editors
EM Microelectronic, a Swiss semiconductor manufacturer, designs and produces ultra-low-power, low-voltage, digital, analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for battery-operated and field-powered devices in wearable, consumer, automotive and industrial applications. The company is specialized in customer specific integrated circuit and display solutions; its product portfolio includes Bluetooth Smart controller ICs and beacons, the SENtral sensor fusion co-processor, display drivers and capacitive touch controllers, NFC & RFID tag and reader ICs, 2.4GHz CoolRF digital wireless transceivers, long range 2.4GHz transceivers, embedded flash microcontrollers, power management ICs, smartcard ICs, timing circuits, sensor interface and optoelectronic ICs, as well as plastic LCDs and display modules.

EM Microelectronic is one of the electronic systems companies within the Swatch Group, producing and assembling ultra-low power, miniaturized and accurate microelectronic components and systems.

Photo
Caption: Beacons by EM Microelectronic
Photo courtesy EM Microelectronic – Marin SA.

For further information please contact:

Media inquiries
MarComedia GmbH
Monika Ailinger, tel +41 41 850 44 24, m.ailinger@marcomedia.ch

Company contact
EM Microelectronic – Marin SA
Thomas Gyger, tel +41 32 755 51 00, info@emmicroelectronic.com

For North America
EM Microelectronic – US, Inc.
Mark Jakusovszky, tel +1 719-337-3179, markj@emmicro-us.com