To help engineers and design teams streamline prototyping and development of connected smart objects, STMicroelectronics has created the SPBTLE-1S. It is a ready-to-use Bluetooth low energy module that integrates all the components needed to complete the radio subsystem, says STMicroelectronics. The SPBTLE-1S module integrates ST’s BlueNRG-1 application processor system on chip (SoC) and balun, high-frequency oscillators, and a chip antenna.

Developers can use this module to bypass hardware design and RF-circuit layout challenges, claims ST. The SPBTLE-1S is BQE-approved. Bluetooth Qualification Expert is a member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) qualified to verify product compliance and provide compliance-related services. It is also FCC, IC, and CE-RED (Radio Equipment Directive) -certified to simplify end-product approval for North America and EU markets.

ST’s Bluetooth 4.2 certified Bluetooth low energy protocol stack is included, and the supporting software development kit (SDK) contains a range of Bluetooth profiles and sample application code.

The module has a space-efficient 11.5 x 13.5mm outline. The supply voltage range is 1.7 to 3.6V, making the SPBTLE-1S module suitable for small, battery-operated objects powered by a primary button cell or rechargeable Li-ion battery, for example. High RF output power of +5dBm and good receiver sensitivity help to maximise communication range and reliability, adds ST.

The BlueNRG-1 SoC at the heart of the SPBTLE-1S implements the complete Bluetooth low energy physical layer (PHY), link layer, and network/application processing engine comprising a low power ARM Cortex-M0 core with 160kbyte flash, 24kbyte RAM with data retention, and a security co-processor.

The SoC also implements smart power management, with a DC/DC converter capable of powering the SPBTLE-1S module to ensure optimum energy efficiency. Users can leverage an extensive set of interfaces, including a UART, two I²C ports, SPI port, single-wire debug, and 14 GPIOs, as well as peripherals including two multifunction timers, a 10-bit ADC, watchdog timer and real-time clock, a DMA controller, and a PDM stream processor interface, which can be used for developing voice-controlled applications.

The SPBTLE-1S module is in production and available now.

Evaluation kits containing the SPBTLE-1S are also available. The STEVAL-IDB007V1M combines the module with MEMS pressure and temperature sensors, LEDs, push-buttons, and programming interface to run the provided demonstration software out-of-the-box. An Arduino-compatible connector is also featured on-board, which allows development of more complex applications by adding extra expansion boards. This evaluation board is firmware-, software- and hardware-compatible with the existing STEVAL-IDB007V1 platform based on the BlueNRG-1 SoC.

The STEVAL-BLUEMIC-1 small form factor evaluation board features a MEMS microphone and an inertial module containing a MEMS 3D accelerometer and gyroscope.

http://www.st.com