CAMBRIDGE, UK — The Nordic Semiconductor nRF24LE1 OTP and nRF24LU1+ OTP target the most fiercely price sensitive consumer segments of the ultra-low power wireless market that do not require flash memory.

Except for a flash-replacing OTP memory, the nRF24LE1 OTP and nRF24LU1+ OTP have the same key features as the existing nRF24LE1 and nRF24LU1+ products. The pair of low cost one time programmable (OTP) variants target high volume consumer segments such as entry-level wireless PC peripherals (mice and keyboards), remote controls and toys.

In addition, fierce price constraints for low end products in these sectors that currently do employ wireless connectivity have restricted manufacturers to cheap 27MHz transceivers.

Based on the same technology platform as the nRF24LE1 and nRF24LU1+ flash products, the devices still feature a high-performance ULP nRF24L01+ transceiver core, a enhanced 8051 MCU, lower power oscillators, hardware AES security, and a wide range of application peripherals and interfaces.

Both the devices integrate 16kBytes of program OTP and 1kByte of data OTP. With a fully integrated charge pump the OTP is writable from the chip's MCU enabling the data OTP to be used for emulating non-volatile memory when required.

The nRF24LE1 OTP and nRF24LU1+ OTP inherit the ultra-low power (ULP) operating characteristics of their flash-based sister products enabling extended operation from small capacity batteries such as AAA or coin cell types.

For example, current consumption of the nRF24LE1+ OTP while transmitting is just 11.1mA (at 0dBm output power) and peak receive current is 13.3mA (at 2Mbps). Average current is in the microampere range (for a typical low duty cycle operation).

Production samples of nRF24LU1+ OTP, plus 5x5mm and 7x7mm nRF24LE1 OTP are available today. The 4x4mm nRF24LE1 OTP will be available in late October.