Taiyo Yuden Bluetooth Smart Module Enables Fast, Economical Implementation of Compact Wireless Connectivity for IoT Applications

Built-in antenna and filter, plus access to MCU resources, accelerates and simplifies design

Taiyo Yuden has launched a compact (12.9 × 9.6 × 2.0 mm) Bluetooth Smart module that simplifies the addition of wireless connectivity to Internet-of-Things (IoT) products such as healthcare devices, sports and fitness equipment, wearable computers, home and entertainment devices, and mobile/PC accessories. The EYSFCNZXX module conforms to Bluetooth® v4.0 low energy (Bluetooth® Smart) and has radio type-approval in the US (FCC), Canada (IC RSS) and Japan (MIC). These certifications reduce time-to-market for the final product and gives designers the confidence that performance requirements will be met.

The new module is based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF51822 system-on-chip. At the heart of this is an ARM Cortex M0 processor, which runs the Bluetooth protocol stack, plus 256 KB of flash memory and 16 KB RAM. However, designers have access to the remaining processor and memory resources via 29 I/O pins. Some of these may be configured as SPI, I²C or UART interfaces, or as connections to the 8/9/10-bit, 6-channel analog to digital converter so that sensors can be linked directly to the module. A ceramic antenna and filter are also built-in. This high level of integration minimizes the need for external components and I/O pin access can eliminate the requirement for an external microcontroller and memory in simpler designs. As a result, space, costs and design time are all reduced.

The availability of Nordic Semiconductor's Bluetooth Qualified profiles and demo applications is a further time saving feature of the EYSFCNZXX. The applications include UART service, temperature sensors, proximity tags, beacons, and a heart rate monitor.

The EYSFCNZXX is available in production volumes now. Sample price is $20 per unit.

t-yuden.com