STMicroelectronics powers PIQ multisport wearable sensor

The lightweight and low-power PIQ sports wearable device for performance measurement and coaching, launched to golf and tennis communities during 2015, relies on key sense, control and communication technologies from semiconductor company STMicroelectronics (ST).

By tracking hand and wrist movement in multiple axes for accurate 3D analysis, the multisport sensor is said to help improve performance and technique. The 44 x 39 x 5 mm device, weighing just 10 g, is worn easily in a wristband, clipped to a golf glove or integrated into a strap.

For tennis, through a partnership with string and racquet company Babolat, the on-wrist display shows statistics such as speed and lift, and data from each shot is shared with a mobile application for detailed analysis. When used as a golf sensor with Mobitee golfing accessories and digital course maps, the PIQ device displays distance to the green and shares data for instant playback of shots. To add a feature for ski sessions, PIQ has partnered with Rossignol to launch a strap and a mobile application that can record runs, analyse jumps and turns, and allow skiers to challenge friends.

The PIQ team chose ST's efficient and high-performing STM32F4 microcontroller for the multisport sensor's main controller to achieve the peak performance needed for complex processing of sensor data. The microcontroller's power management features help cut power consumption to the absolute minimum, maximising battery lifetime.

PIQ's Bluetooth wireless subsystem connects to the user's smartphone using ST's BlueNRG Bluetooth Smart wireless controller. BlueNRG has low power consumption and saves space when teamed with the BALF-NRG companion chip for connecting the radio aerial. BALF-NRG leverages ST's Integrated Passive Device (IPD) expertise, occupying as little as 1.19 mm² on the circuit board while also enhancing wireless performance.

The PIQ design team has taken advantage of ST's MEMS technology to integrate the LPS25HB barometric pressure sensor. In addition, the multisport sensor benefits from the high performance and efficiency of the STBC02 lithium-battery charge controller, which helps manage power and maximise battery life, and the STM6600 smart push-button controller for the on/off and reset buttons.

Moreover, ST is supplying major components of the PIQ sensor's battery charger: a separate device that takes advantage of the STBCFG01 battery charger IC with smart charge-control features; the LD39130S ultrasmall voltage regulator; and the power-efficient STM32F0 as the battery-charger system microcontroller. The STM32F4, STM32F0 and BlueNRG Bluetooth IC all feature ARM Cortex-M cores, supplied by ST.

“Our goal was to deliver the best possible user experiences by every applicable metric to make sport more exciting," said PIQ CEO Cédric Mangaud. “ST simply had the best control, sense, communication and power management solutions to help achieve this. This allowed us to have ST as one-stop supplier, without any compromise, and positions us to continue on the path to meeting our ambition of 24 sports and games in our application and partnership portfolio."