Silicon Labs has introduced a cost-effective prototyping vehicle that makes it easy to connect wireless sensor nodes to mobile devices and the cloud to help businesses make data-driven decisions. Silicon Labs' new Thunderboard React developer kit features a battery-powered, sensor-rich demonstration board with Bluetooth low-energy technology and an ARM Cortex-M4 processor for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, along with open-source design files and software for mobile applications running on Android and iOS devices. All hardware schematics, firmware, mobile applications and cloud software are available at no charge to developers.
Silicon Labs says its new Thunderboard React developer kit makes it easy to connect wireless sensor nodes to mobile devices and the cloud. Image credit: Silicon Labs View details about Silicon Labs' Thunderboard React kit, including pricing, availability and demonstration videos at www.silabs.com/daysofthunderboard. Download mobile applications and cloud software from GitHub. Discover how easy it is to develop intelligent sensor node applications for health and fitness wearables, home and industrial automation, motorized devices, asset tracking and more.
According to Silicon Labs, Thunderboard React simplifies IoT design by providing the sensing, processing and wireless components needed to connect a battery-powered sensor node to a cloud database. The on-board sensors measure motion, light and environmental conditions, and this real-time sensor data is transmitted to the cloud over a Bluetooth connection. An intuitive mobile application displays the data on smartphones and tablets while enabling the user to control the board.
Silicon Labs claims no RF expertise is required to develop wireless sensing applications with Thunderboard React. Developers can get up and running in minutes with the company's wireless development tools, and the pre-certified Bluetooth low-energy module minimizes the time and effort required for global wireless certifications.
The Thunderboard React kit includes the following Silicon Labs components and software:
- BGM111 globally pre-certified Bluetooth low-energy module
- Si7021 relative humidity and temperature sensor
- Si1133 UV index and ambient light sensor
- Six-axis gyro/accelerometer
- Hall-effect position sensor
- Open-source design files
- Android and iOS mobile application
The Thunderboard React's energy-efficient components allow developers to create IoT nodes powered by small coin-cell batteries. Silicon Labs says it has optimized the provided firmware and mobile application to take advantage of the power-saving features of the board components. The components can be easily integrated and modified to enable Bluetooth-to-cloud connectivity for a developer's particular IoT application.
An optional Pinewood Derby-style car kit can be ordered to use with Thunderboard React, providing an ideal vehicle for demonstrating the real-life capabilities users can unleash. The Thunderboard React board fits into the body of the derby car and captures data on acceleration, speed, distance, inertia, proximity, humidity and temperature. Popularized by the Cub Scouts, Pinewood Derby cars and races have been a scouting tradition since 1953. Silicon Labs has staged Pinewood Derby demonstrations at numerous industry events to showcase the powerful sensor-to-cloud connectivity capabilities of Thunderboard React.
Pricing and Availability
The Thunderboard React kit, including the demonstration board, firmware, mobile application and cloud software, is available today and priced at $29 (USD MSRP). The Thunderboard React Derby Car kit, which bundles a Pinewood Derby car with the Thunderboard React board, is available today and priced at $59 (USD MSRP). For additional information and to order Thunderboard React kits, please visit www.silabs.com/daysofthunderboard. Visit www.github.com/siliconlabs for free Thunderboard React mobile application and cloud software downloads.
