New technology consortium formed to develop innovative integrated Bluetooth Low Energy modules for SMEs

Brussels – Dec 13, 2013 – Wireless sensors enabled with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are experiencing strong market interest. Initiated by RiveraWaves and CSEM, the European funded BLIM4SME project will develop miniature wireless modules targeting healthcare and lifestyle applications using BLE. The consortium is pleased to announce that the project has officially been launched last month.

The demand for wireless sensors in healthcare and lifestyle areas is experiencing rapid growth. Such applications call for radio links which have to fulfill several stringent requirements, such as:

• Standardized connectivity for plug-and-play interconnection with other devices
• Ultra-portability with tiny modules for maximal comfort for the wearer
• Ultra-low-power consumption for long autonomy
• Flexibility for being easily embedded with a heterogeneous set of other components like sensors, signal processors, energy harvesters.

The BLIM4SME project addresses these challenges by developing an ultra-low-power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE, also known as “Bluetooth Smart”) module focusing on healthcare and lifestyle. BLIM4SME aims at developing an optimized solution targeting the rapidly increasing landscape of EU small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and industries that require beyond state-of-the-art, highly integrated and ultra-low-power BLE radios for their next generation bio-medical, healthcare, sports and fitness products.

Concretely, the project will develop RF IP blocks, which in turn, will be embedded into a single “antenna-and-radio” miniaturized module leveraging an innovative “integrated passive devices” (IPD) technology platform.

The consortium comprises key research partners and seasoned SMEs with broad expertise in the domain for bringing this project to life successfully:

• RTD Talos Ltd., Cyprus, coordinator of the project
• RivieraWaves SAS, France, SME participant, expert in BLE protocol
• Prisma Electronics SA, Greece, SME participant, expert in modules
• Nordic Components OY, Finland, SME participant, expert in IPD modules
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Finland, Research performer, expert in IPD technology
• CSEM SA (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology), Switzerland, Research performer, expert in low power integrated radios

The BLIM4SME project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Program, managed by the Research Executive Agency under Grant Agreement No. 605264.

About RTD Talos Ltd:

RTD Talos Ltd. was established in 2000 and is one of the biggest consultancy firms in Cyprus in its areas of expertise. The company offers a broad variety of services to the public and the private sector of Cyprus related to regional development, research, technological development, innovation, coordination and implementation of research projects and studies. TALOS has many years of demonstrated experience in European project management through being involved in more than 30 EU funded research projects.

Further information: http://www.talos-rtd.com

About RivieraWaves SAS:

RivieraWaves is a leading licensor of silicon IP cores and platforms with the broadest wireless connectivity IP portfolio composed of comprehensive Wi-Fi and Bluetooth solutions. The “one-stop shop” company’s IP portfolio includes hardware, software and analog/RF cores for fast time to market, complemented by design services for customization and SoC integration.

RivieraWaves is the ideal partner for semiconductor companies planning to deliver wireless connectivity ICs for the mobile, home entertainment, medical, sports & fitness, watch and IoT applications.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.rivierawaves.com

About Prisma Electronics SA:

Prisma Electronics SA is a hi-tech company established in 1991 in Alexandroupolis, Greece and operates in the field of ICT, Electronics and R&D. The design and production of complex manufacturing of electronics parts and integrated electronic systems in commercial, research, space and defence applications, established the company in Greece and abroad.

Aiming at innovation and thereby increasing competiveness, strategic priority is always the development of Corporate Products and Services of high technology.
Today, Prisma Electronics SA is specialized in the manufacturing and production of electronic systems for condition-based maintenance and remote health monitoring of industrial environments. Prisma Electronics SA is the only Greek company that has been awarded by CERN with the Gold Award for Industry.

For more information, please visit us at: http://www.prismaelectronics.eu

About Nordic Components OY:

Nordic Components Oy was originally founded in 2002, but changed her business in 2011, and started to commercialize the research made in VTT about the IPD (Integrated Passive Devices) Technology and the IPR of the Entrepreneurs. The main products of Nordic are miniature electronic modules, which are based on IPD and System in Package (SIP) module technology developed during the past eight years. Through this technology, electronic modules are reduced in size and weight, however still improving the performance. The feature set of the complex system like a Cellular Handset can be built by using the modules as building blocks, with added or reduced features depending on the type of the modules used. Due to the new technique, the surface area of the typical modules can be kept less than one square centimeter whereas the height is typically around one millimeter. The typical application areas include various data communication equipment such as Broadband Modems, M2M Modems and Wireless Network Products and Devices. The company is developing and manufacturing application specific modules mainly for OEM customers.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.nordcomp.com

About VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland:

VTT is a multi-technological contract research organisation providing high-end technology solutions and innovation services. From its wide knowledge base, VTT can combine different technologies, create new innovations and a wide range of world-class technologies and applied research services, thus improving its clients’ competitiveness and competence. Through its international scientific and technology networks, VTT can produce information, upgrade technology knowledge, and create business intelligence and value added for its stakeholders.

Further information: http://www.vtt.fi

About CSEM:

CSEM SA (Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology), founded in 1984, is a private Swiss research and technology organization specializing in microtechnology, nanotechnology, microelectronics, systems engineering, photovoltaics, and communications technologies. It plays a key role in encouraging innovation and technology transfer between science and industry. Having founded several start-ups, it contributes to developing Switzerland as an industrial location. Around 400 highly qualified and specialized employees from various scientific and technical disciplines work for CSEM in Neuchâtel, Alpnach, Landquart, Muttenz, and Zurich.

Additional information is available at http://www.csem.ch