sports monitoring devices. It can be implemented on a printed circuit board in less area than a dime, and can run for approximately four years on a watch battery, according to the firm.
(Click here for larger view of tiny ANT PAN module)The ANT wireless-networking technology is offered in three forms: as a single-chip; as a two-device chipset; and as a small "FCC ready" plug-in module. The single-chip nRF24AP1 is available from Dynastream partner Nordic Semiconductors, which embeds the protocol into a 2.4 GHz RF transceiver in a 5 x 5 mm package.
Dynastream provides the following comparison of its ANT PAN technology with Zigbee and Bluetooth wireless.
| Market Name | ANT | Zigbee | Bluetooth |
| Standard | Dynastream Proprietary | 802.15.4 | 802.15.1 |
| Application Focus | Personal Area Networks | Personal Area Networks | Audio Cable Replacement |
| System Resources | 2k - 4k | 32KB | 250KB+ |
| Battery Life | 10yrs1 | 0.3yrs+ | 1-7 (days) |
| Network Size | 232 | 264 | 7 |
| Bandwidth (kb/s) | 1000 | 250 | 1000 |
| PCB Area (mm2) | 125 | Depends on Architecture | Depends on Architecture |
| Range (meters) | 1-30 | 1-100+ | 1-10+ |
| Success Metrics | Ultra low Power, and Cost | Power, Cost | Cost, Convenience |
| Supported Network Types | Star, Peer-to-Peer | Star, Peer-to-Peer | Star, Peer-to-Peer |
| Minimum Node Configuration | Transmit Only or Transceiver | Transceiver | Transceiver |
1 1 hour of activity per day, 2 second message interval(A chart comparing Zigbee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GSM/GPRS networking technologies appears
here)
Dynastream's ANT PAN technology has already found use in several applications, according to the company. It communicates between
Suunto's T6 Wristop computer and Foot Pod speed and distance monitor, for example, and between Bike Pod's cycling computer and heart rate monitor. The protocol has also been embedded into the
Atomic Neox EBM electronic ski binding.
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