ANT+

ANT+^[1] (pronounced ant plus) is a sub-system of the base ANT protocol (a proprietary wireless technology) designed and marketed by the ANT+ Alliance, a division of Dynastream Innovations Inc, .^[2] It encourages interoperability and open-access to data between manufacturers of "smartphones, bike computers, diagnostics, power meters, heart rate monitors, remote control systems, etc."^[1]

Applications

ANT+ is designed for the interoperable collection and transfer of sensor data as well as the integration of remote control systems such as indoor lighting, phone control, etc. Several main focuses of operation include sport, wellness, home care and remote control. It can be used for data-transfer for a number of devices:^[3][4][5]

• heart rate monitors
• cadence sensors
• foot pods
• cycling power meters
• activity monitors
• calorimeters
• body mass index measuring devices
• blood pressure monitors
• blood glucose meters
• pulse oximeters
• position tracking
• short range homing beacons (Disc Golf, GeoCaching)^[6]
• weight measuring devices
• control of music players
• control of lighting
• temperature sensors
• light electric
• vehicle monitoring
• fitness equipment
• tire pressure monitor systems (TPMS)

This allows for it to be used for general fitness tasks, medical and remote control functions. Currently ANT+ is implemented on more than 35 applications, produced by over 27 different manufacturers.^[7]

ANT+ Alliance

The ANT+ Alliance is organized by Dynastream Innovations Inc, a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd.

Certification

The ANT+ Alliance certifies devices to ensure interoperability through compliance to device profiles. Each device profile has an icon which may be used to visually match interoperable devices sharing the same device profiles.^[8]

See also

• ANT (network)
• Bluetooth low energy

References