SiP combines LoRa, Bluetooth and NFC
Offering RF integration with a combined Bluetooth Low Energy and LoRa combination module with dual integrated antennae, the ISP4520 module is available from Insight SiP.
The module is added to the existing product portfolio which includes long range networking via LoRa technology.
The ISP4520 module integrates Bluetooth Low Energy and LoRa radio functionality, combining the short-range high throughput capability and smartphone/PC access of Bluetooth Low Energy with the long range features of LoRa technology. The module uses Insight SiP’s patented Antenna in Package technology with its system in package (SiP) design to embed both Bluetooth Low Energy and LoRa antennae into a small device measuring 9.8 x 17.2 x 1.7mm. It is, claims Insight SiP, the smallest device of its type on the market.
LoRa technology offers a low cost, wide area network for IoT applications, typically in use cases requiring a limited data rate and a long-term battery powered operation. Additionally, LoRa can operate via public and private networks.
Bluetooth Low Energy gives a higher bandwidth channel for the device, which can be used for commissioning, software updates, maintenance, or to connect a set of local sensors to central hub.
The Bluetooth Low Energy part of the ISP4520 integrates the WLCSP nRF52832 chip from Nordic Semiconductor and uses Insight SiP’s existing Bluetooth Low Energy product range. It has integrated 32MHz/32kHz crystals, RF antenna and matching circuit and DC/DC converter for power saving efficiency. The ISP4520 device includes an Arm Cortex M4F processor with 512kbyte flash and 64kbyte RAM. This provides a large application space, even allowing for the Bluetooth and LoRa protocol stacks, says Insight. A full set of interfaces is supplied the device for analogue or digital peripherals, including 30 general purpose I/Os, an ADC and SPI, I2C and UART buses. It also provides NFC connectivity for easy pairing.
The LoRA radio is based on a Semtech SX126x chipset, driven via the Arm Cortex M4F of the Nordic device.
The module is designed for battery-based operation. It is equipped with a range of deep-sleep modes to meet differing customer requirements. Its standby current is as low as 0.5 microA. Receive and transmit power are claimed to be best in class, with current for Bluetooh Low Energy at approximately 5mA, and LoRa dependent on chosen output power.
The module can operate on wide area networks and is compatible with the LoRaWAN open standard developed by the LoRa Alliance. The module runs the Nordic Bluetooth soft device which now supports a full Bluetooth V4.2 stack and is Bluetooth 5.0-ready.
Module prototypes are available now. Mass production of the modules will start in Q2 2019. Certification is pending. A development kit and sample software are also available.
Visit Insight SiP at Embedded World (Hall 3, stand 3-633)
