Microchip Technology Inc. announced its first Bluetooth® 4.1 Low Energy module. The RN4020 carries both worldwide regulatory certifications and is Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) certified. The module has integrated Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) stack and onboard support for the common SIG low-energy profiles. It is also pre-loaded with the Microchip Low-energy Data Profile (MLDP), which enables designers to easily stream any type of data across the BTLE link.
I really admire the decision two years ago to acquire Roving Networks, an innovator in low-power embedded Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® solutions—this decision has really paid off. And just this last two months ago the acquisition ISSCC, with low power Bluetooth and advanced wireless solutions for the Internet Of Things (IoT) market. Now with this powerful wireless portfolio along with Microchip’s solid microcontroller portfolio and analog product capability, the company will certainly be a formidable player in the IoT and wireless solutions arena. This BTLE Smart Module is proof of a quick and powerful entry into this competitive market.
Because the device is a stack-on-board module, it can connect to any microcontroller with a UART interface, or it can operate standalone without an MCU for basic data collection and communication, such as a beacon or sensor. This standalone operation is facilitated by Microchip’s unique no-compile scripting, which allows module configuration via a simple ASCII command interface—no tools or compiling are required.
This device is perfect for designers of cost-sensitive embedded applications looking for turnkey solutions that make it easy to add the low power consumption and simplicity of Bluetooth LE connectivity. BTLE enables several years of operation from a single battery and has a large installed base of compliant smartphones, tablets and computers. Example markets that need these low-power wireless command-and-control solutions include home automation and appliances; medical and wearable devices; toys, tags, fobs and remote controls; pulse and proximity sensor-based systems; and even industrial applications.
Microchip’s Smart module includes all of the hardware, software and certifications that designers need to easily add this low-energy connectivity to any design, while easing End Product Listing (EPL) via QDID Bluetooth compatibility testing. All of the programmable profiles are stored and selectable on the module, including Microchip’s flexible MLDP and the common Bluetooth SIG low-energy profiles. In addition to common public profiles, private services can be created via the ASCII command interface. The module also provides a built-in PCB antenna with 7 dBm transmit power and a receive sensitivity of -92.5 dBm, enabling operation over 100 meters*.
I am particularly impressed with the PC board antenna design on the module. The antenna sits as part of the top copper layer of the PC board, covered with a solder mask (See the top of Figure 1 for the antenna pattern). The layers beneath the antenna have no copper traces to interfere with the signal. It is a nice, neat and well thought out design and placement that gives a really efficient antenna performance. (See Figures 3a through 3d)
Microchip also has the flexible RN4020 Bluetooth Low Energy PICtail™/PICtail Plus daughter board (part # RN-4020-PICtail), which is available now for $49 (See Figure 4). This board enables code development via USB interface to a PC, and over the onboard In-Circuit Serial Programming™ interface for Microchip’s PICkit™ or MPLAB® REAL ICE™ tools. It also leverages customer investments in Microchip’s existing development boards with a PICtail interface, such as the Explorer 16, PIC18 Explorer and PIC32 I/O Expansion Board. Additionally, the onboard eXtreme Low Power (XLP) PIC18 microcontroller allows the PICtail board to run in standalone mode, powered by USB from the host, enabling portable demonstrations and proofs of concept.
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