BLE112-A-V1: In-depth Analysis of Ultra-low Power Bluetooth Low Power Module
1. One-sentence Description
The BLE112-A-V1 is a highly integrated single-mode Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 4.0) module. It provides wireless connection and data processing capabilities for low-power sensors, wearable devices, and IoT terminals, and can operate independently without an external microcontroller.
2. Core Features
- Full Protocol Stack Integration: It has a built-in GAP/GATT/L2CAP/SMP protocol stack and multiple BLE configuration files (such as health monitoring, device information), supporting custom application development.
- Flexible Master-slave Mode: Supports multi-device connection (up to 4+ connections in master mode), adapting to complex network topologies.
- Ultra-low Power Consumption: Only 400nA in sleep mode, and the peak current in active mode is 27mA (0dBm transmission), meeting the requirements of battery-powered scenarios.
- Programmable Core: With a built-in 8051 processor, it supports direct embedding of user applications, reducing the complexity of peripheral circuits.
- Wide Voltage Compatibility: The power supply range is 2.0 - 3.6V, suitable for button batteries or AAA batteries.
- Complete Certification: It has passed international certifications such as FCC/IC/CE/MIC/Japan/KCC/NCC, simplifying the product launch process.
3. Core Technical Specifications
| Category | Parameter | Typical Value/Range |
|---|---|---|
| RF Performance | Transmit Power (TX) | +3dBm to - 23dBm (adjustable) |
| Receive Sensitivity (RX) | -85dBm to - 91dBm | |
| Power Consumption | Active Mode (0dBm Transmission) | 27mA |
| Sleep Mode 3 (Minimum Power) | 0.4μA | |
| Interface and Expansion | Digital I/O Ports | 21 configurable GPIOs |
| UART/SPI Interface | Supports multi-mode communication | |
| Physical Characteristics | Size (BLE112-A) | 10.2mm×11.5mm×2.3mm |
| Operating Temperature | -40℃ to 85℃ |
4. The Story Behind the Chip
The BLE112-A-V1 is developed based on Texas Instruments (TI) CC2540 chip, integrating a 32MHz main frequency processor, a 2.4GHz RF front-end, and a low-power management unit. Its design goal is to reduce system complexity through high integration, especially for scenarios with strict requirements for volume and energy efficiency in medical, industrial and other fields. The built-in antenna matching network and ceramic antenna design of the module further optimize space utilization and radiation efficiency.
5. Design Concepts
- Minimal Integration: The modular packaging eliminates external MCU, crystal oscillator, and RF debugging processes, shortening the development cycle.
- Flexible Configuration: Supports SPI/UART dual-mode switching to adapt to different host interface requirements.
- Safe and Reliable: Embedded with an AES-128 encryption engine to ensure the security of data transmission.
- Environmental Adaptability: Designed with a wide voltage input and temperature range, it is suitable for outdoor and industrial deployments.
6. Application Scenarios
- Health Monitoring: Heart rate/blood oxygen sensors, blood glucose meters, blood pressure monitors.
- Sports Tracking: Smart bracelets, pedometers, fitness equipment.
- Smart Home: Temperature and humidity sensors, door and window detectors, remote control keys.
- Industrial Internet of Things: Asset tracking tags, environmental monitoring nodes.
- Consumer Electronics: Wireless keyboards/mice, game controllers, smart toys.
7. Unique Advantages
- No Peripheral Dependence: With a built-in protocol stack and application space, it reduces the BOM cost and PCB area occupation.
- Extreme Sleep Efficiency: Only 400nA current in Power Mode 3, extending the battery life to several years.
- Multi-connection Ability: Supports simultaneous connection of multiple slave devices in master mode, suitable for complex IoT architectures.
- Global Certification Endorsement: The pre-certified module reduces customer testing costs and accelerates product launch.
8. What Engineers Need to Know When Selecting
- Power Supply Design: It is recommended to use a 100μF tantalum capacitor to stabilize the voltage, and in high-power scenarios, the TPS62730 DC-DC step-down chip can be integrated.
- Antenna Layout: Keep a 5mm clear area around the antenna, away from metal/plastic media; BLE112-N requires a 50Ω impedance matching cable.
- Certification Compliance: Select the corresponding model according to the target market (such as the NCC certified model CCAM17LP0520T0).
- Current Optimization: Disable unused peripherals (such as ADC/comparator), and dynamically manage power consumption through the Profile Toolkit.
- Firmware Support: Utilize Silicon Labs Simplicity Studio for rapid development, supporting OTA upgrades and Debug debugging.
Conclusion
The BLE112-A-V1 redefines the design boundaries of low-power Bluetooth modules with the "All-in-One" concept. With its ultra-low power consumption, high integration, and global certification advantages, it becomes an ideal choice for medical, wearable, and industrial IoT fields. For engineers, reasonably planning the power supply strategy and antenna design is the key to fully发挥 its performance advantages.
