System overview

This chapter describes the functionality of the remote control including how it can be used for development purposes.

There are two main hardware components in the reference design:

When the Smart Remote 3 DK add-on (nRF6932) is inserted into a nRF51 DK, you have a functioning remote control (see Assemble the Smart Remote 3 hardware for instructions). The term remote control refers to the Smart Remote 3 product example (nRF6933) or Smart Remote 3 DK add-on (nRF6932) after it is inserted into the nRF51 DK.

Figure 1. The remote control with a connected TV
The remote control and a TV.

Communication in the system is digital and packet-based, which means that data between the remote control and the host is exchanged as discrete packets of information. The nRF device checks the status of the trackpad and the keypad matrix before sending this information to the host. The driver on the computer decodes the packages allowing you to use the remote control as both a pointing device and keypad.

Important: The term host refers to a Bluetooth® Low Energy compliant device which supports the HID-over-GATT profile. Windows 10, for instance, natively supports the HID-over-GATT profile provided there is Bluetooth Low Energy hardware connected to the system. A computer with Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, Nordic Voice System (NVS) package and Bluetooth 4.0 dual-mode (low energy) hardware can also be a host.

For further details on the software and firmware included, please consult the firmware documentation, code API, or the code itself.

Parent topic: Smart Remote 3 for nRF51 (discontinued)