Integrated module adds Bluetooth for relay nodes
RF module specialist, Insight SiP, has introduced the ISP1507-AL module which offers customers access to inexpensive, advanced Bluetooth technology. The wireless connectivity module is based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52 series. It has an embedded antenna, integrated DC/DC converter, and includes both radio and synchronisation crystals.
The ISP1507-AL module is designed for situations where customers want to add wireless connectivity to an existing solution, or for new applications.
According to Insight SiP, the ISP1507-AL module can be used for mesh relay nodes and price sensitive solutions and is suitable for IoT, wearable, industrial sensor and home network applications. The Bluetooth 5.0-ready module uses the WLCSP nRF52810-CAAA chip from Nordic Semiconductor – offering a 32-bit Arm Cortex M4 CPU with floating point processor, 192-kbyte flash memory, 24-kbyte RAM, a set of 13 I/Os, analogue and digital peripherals SPI, I2C and GPIO. Insight SIP has added system in package (SiP) and antenna in package technology to create what it claims is the smallest module available today. The ISP1507-AL measures 8.0 x 8.0mm and just 1.0mm thick.
In addition to the WLCSP nRF52810-CAAA chip, the module integrates 32MHz/32kHz crystals, RF antenna and matching circuit and DC/DC converter. It is intended to perform as a standalone Bluetooth Low Energy node. The internal memory capacity and powerful processor means that the module can act as the application hub, and replace additional microcontrollers required in previous generations of BLE products, says Insight SiP.#
Power consumption is lower than previous generations, with typically 5.8mA for transmission, and reception, 0.8-microA for standby mode and 0.3-microA for deep sleep mode. Advanced power management enables battery lifetimes up to several years on a coin cell battery, claims Insight SiP. Transmission output power reaches +4.0dBm and reception sensitivity is also improved to -96dBm.
The module runs the Nordic Bluetooth soft device which now supports a full Bluetooth V4.2 stack and is Bluetooth 5.0 ready. Insight SiP also offers a development kit with sample software.
The ISP1507-AL is available today. Module certification for global market is pending. All modules in the ISP1507 product range are pin-to-pin compatible.
