Single-chip Bluetooth Low Energy SoC from ST
For energy-constrained smart sensors and connected devices, Bluetooth Low Energy devices must ensure energy-efficient operation, including extremely low power consumption in sleep and standby modes that are used frequently to maximize battery life. Strong radio performance is also needed to advertise availability and connect reliably. ST has designed its new BlueNRG-1 programmable SoC with performance and power to satisfy these requirements.
The BlueNRG-1 single-core SoC hosts a 32 MHz ARM Cortex-M0 core with 160 kByte of on-chip Flash memory for application-code and data storage besides the possibility to upgrade the ST Bluetooth Low Energy firmware stack. ST has employed proven ultra-low-power design, including support for fast wake-up and sleep transitions, and sub-1µA standby current.
BlueNRG-1 comes with ST’s Bluetooth Low Energy stack in the form of a ready-to-use linkable library. Library linking at build-time removes unused parts of the stack so as to ensure efficient memory utilization. Pre-certified profiles for medical devices, proximity monitor and other devices are provided, as well as tools and collaterals that support app development for iOS or Android devices.
Peripherals that help simplify design and reduce component count include a 10-bit ADC, SPI and I²C master/slave units, UART, and up to 15 user-configurable I/Os depending on package type.
BlueNRG-1 can be connected directly to ST’s single-chip balun for converting between the balanced transceiver signal and the single-ended antenna signal. Available as a QFN device, the balun integrates a network of nine passive components on a single die using ST’s IPD-on-glass technology.
Designers using BlueNRG-1 have access to a comprehensive development ecosystem, including a software development kit (SDK) with APIs, sensor drivers, and sample applications. Recognizing the importance of power consumption in Bluetooth Low Energy applications, there is also a current-estimation tool that helps assess the effects of changing factors such as transmit output power, master/slave sleep clock accuracy, RAM retention, connection advertising or scanning interval, data length, and DC-DC converter activation.
The integrated radio transceiver of BlueNRG-1 is power-efficient in the modes frequently used by devices such as beacons when setting up short-duration connections for exchanges such as sharing offers with shoppers’ smartphones. BlueNRG-1’s ability to transition quickly between power-saving and active modes extends battery life from months to years. RF-output power is boosted to +8 dBm to ensure clear and reliable communication for optimum efficiency, even in noisy environments.
“The success of many new applications in the Retail, Connected Home, Automotive, Industrial, Medical, or ePayment segments will notably depend on the quality of user experience, which will demand efficient Bluetooth Low Energy solutions,” explained Benedetto Vigna, Executive Vice President, Analog and MEMS Group, STMicroelectronics. “BlueNRG-1 hits the sweet spot for IoT designers: compared to existing solutions it’s a single-chip solution, neither over-specified nor expensive, and enables longer battery life and superior connection reliability with optimum performance.”
In addition to efficient performance and low power consumption, BlueNRG-1 also offers value-added features intended to make device designers’ lives easier. These include a dedicated digital-microphone input that simplifies voice-enabled applications and 105°C maximum operating temperature suitable for smart-lighting and automotive applications (such as passive-entry-passive-start or onboard-diagnostic devices). Support for the latest Bluetooth Low Energy version 4.2 specification ensures advanced privacy and security.
BlueNRG-1 is scheduled to enter volume production in late July 2016 and will be available in two package styles, at $1.50 for BlueNRG-132 in 5 x 5 mm QFN-32 package, and $1.45 for BlueNRG-134 in 2.7 x 2.6 mm WLCSP-34 for space-constrained applications.
ST; www.st.com
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