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PROFILE: LITTLEBIRD CONNECTED CARE
Read how TE Connectivity (TE) supported Littlebird with an antenna solution that
could address cellular, GPS and Bluetooth connectivity, fit into an
ultra-compact device, support a long battery life, and withstand daily wear and
tear.
View IoT Connectivity Solutions
Customer: Littlebird Connected Care
ABOUT LITTLEBIRD CONNECTED CARE
Focus: Connecting parents and caregivers to their children through real time
biometrics notifications
Solutions: Littlebird Toddler CareTracker wearable device and secure digital
platform
Location: Seattle, Washington
Website: https://www.littlebird.care
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/littlebirdcare
ENGINEERING CHALLENGES
• Real-time connectivity
• Miniaturization
• Ultra-compact form factor housing multiple multi-band antennas with wireless
carrier compliance
• Long battery life
• Ruggedization/waterproof
Littlebird Connected Care (Littlebird; www.littlebird.care) is a pioneering
digital health company that has created a unique care connection SaaS AI
platform and IoT wearable device.
Littlebird's cellular/GPS/Bluetooth enabled device has received accolades such
as Fast Company’s Wellness Design and Innovation Award honors alongside Fitbit
and Oura Ring products; JPMA: Built for Baby 2022 Technology Innovation Award;
named as a Geekwire Award’s “Invention we Love;” and a Top 2023 Start to Watch,
among others.
Created in a data demographic greenspace, Littlebird’s Bluetooth
chain-of-custody approach to tethering aims to reduce the risk for parents and
caregivers and improve long-term health outcomes. Littlebird enables caregivers
to answer the three most important questions about those they care for: Where
are they? Who are they with? How are they doing?
Given the need for low latency and seamless connectivity, the Littlebird device
needed an antenna solution that could address cellular, GPS and Bluetooth
connectivity, fit into an ultra-compact form factor, support a long battery
life, and withstand daily wear and tear. Additionally, there were regulatory
challenges that needed to be addressed.
The FCC approved Littlebird Toddler CareTracker wearable device shown with the
Connected Care mobile app.
“There is a critical need to stay connected with loved ones under care
supervision, such as the very young, differently abled, and elderly populations.
TE immediately saw the $45B gap in digital healthcare connectivity and jumped in
as a trusted consultant and resource to our team. We are thankful for their
support and contributions to our national awards and press in our first year,”
commented Monica Plath, CEO, Littlebird Connected Care.
PARTNERSHIP SOLUTION
• Custom multi-band multi-mode high performance antennas using laser direct
structuring (LDS) technology
• Applied knowledge of RF and performance
• Close collaboration with the customer, design house and vendors
• RF system design expertise to comply with regulatory and carrier performance
Given the ultra compact form factor of Littlebird's CareTracker device, TE’s
robust portfolio of standard off-the-shelf Bluetooth, LTE Cellular and GPS
antenna solutions would not meet the device’s design requirements. The design
called for a novel out-of-the-box custom RF/antenna architecture in order to
comply with challenging carrier requirements. That’s when TE was brought in to
review the device design and requirements and make recommendations during the
initial stage of product development.
Numerous factors can affect overall antenna performance, including ground plane
dimensions, distance to nearby metallic components, antenna position, RF feed
placement, PCB layout and component selection. Over the course of six months,
TE’s global development team closely collaborated with Littlebird, their design
house, contract manufacturer, and others to creatively design, optimize and test
an antenna architecture solution to meet the system level requirements and
achieve FCC approval.
The final design utilizes custom LDS antennas with LTE Cellular, Bluetooth and
GPS functionalities combined in a single trace. LDS is a state-of-the-art
technology used to create molded interconnect devices (MIDs) and can save space
within the application by integrating high frequency, mechanical and electrical
functionality into one component. LDS enables three-dimensional design/routing
capability, versus the limitations of two-dimensional placement on a PCB or
other substrate. LDS also allows for better antenna performance by utilizing 3D
surfaces on the antenna carrier (which can’t be used by traditional
manufacturing methods) to provide wider bandwidth and higher efficiency. The
housing of the CareTracker’s LDS antenna also features a ring for ultrasonic
welding, which helps seal the assembled device for waterproof, IP67-rated
performance.
TE’s spring finger contacts were also integrated into the design to connect the
RF signals to the antenna. Spring fingers (also known as shield fingers,
grounding springs or universal ground contacts) are single-contact,
surface-mountable internal connectors with multiple functions on a PCB. In
miniaturized applications, spring finger contacts offer one of the best choices
for grounding, antenna feeding and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding,
given their small footprint and scalability.
The final design solution is among the smallest and one of the highest
performing LTE, GPS and Bluetooth enabled wearable devices on the market. The
YMCA of Seattle, WA, will be the first organization to pilot Littlebird’s
Toddler CareTracker as part of a larger daycare program. Thanks to the close
collaboration between TE, Littlebird and their design house and vendors, the
Toddler CareTracker has become a reality with the potential to make a positive
impact on the broader care economy.
Examples of laser direct structuring on various devices (left). Spring finger
contacts for grounding, antenna feeding and EMI shielding (right).
TE Technical Project Manager, Jung Hyun Kim, stated, “We are very pleased to
have supported the development of this innovative product capability. The
collaboration in the design efforts, coupled with TE’s global team of experts,
made the project a success.”
TE RF Engineer, Il Yong Oh, added, “With TE’s goal to make every connection
count, we are glad to have supported, and will continue to support Littlebird in
their success.”
ON DEMAND WEBINAR: THE ART OF IOT DEVICE DESIGN
Register Now
Product Category
Custom-Designed Antennas
The wireless industry demands increased complexity and miniaturization of
antennas, combined with a need to integrate a multi-radio environment into one
component. We offer a wide array of customized antenna solutions to accommodate
the mechanical constraints of your application, design and manufacture antennas
that comply with the most stringent operating requirements, and are a pioneer of
customized embedded antenna solutions.
Every Connection, Every Beat: Enabling Better Health.
The engineering of smart health devices presents design challenges in
miniaturization, component integration and durability. This is where we come in.
Product Category
Types of Antennas
Our broad portfolio of antenna technologies includes standard and custom
solutions for use in a variety of applications.
Industries
IoT Connectivity
At TE, we design the electronic parts crucial for Internet of Things
connectivity. Our solutions transform devices, machines, and systems into IoT
ecosystems enabling integrating connectivity.
Product Group
PCB Spring Contacts
Spring finger contacts (also known as shield fingers, grounding springs,
universal ground contacts, or clips) can be used in all types of small printed
circuit board applications across all industries. It can be used for antenna
feeds, low voltage electrical connections, or for grounding to prevent EMI noise
and static caused by a speaker, motor...
GET ANSWERS NOW
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