Silicon Labs has launched the world’s smallest Bluetooth SiP module for IoT endpoint nodes
– The built-in antenna 6.5mm x 6.5mm BGM12x module reduces PCB area, enabling compact Bluetooth® designs without compromising performance–
Silicon Labs (also known as “Silicon Labs”, NASDAQ: SLAB) has recently launched the industry’s smallest low-power Bluetooth (Bluetooth® Low Energy) System-in-Package (SiP) module, featuring a chip antenna that provides a complete low-cost connectivity solution without compromising performance. The BGM12x Blue Gecko SiP module comes in a compact 6.5mm x 6.5mm package, allowing developers to reduce the PCB area (including antenna spacing) to 51mm2, thus enabling miniaturization of IoT designs. This ultra-compact, high-performance Bluetooth module is suitable for applications including sports and fitness wearables, smartwatches, personal medical devices, wireless sensor nodes, and other space-constrained connected devices.
For more information about the Silicon Labs BGM12x Blue Gecko SiP module, including pricing and availability, Bluetooth 4.2 protocol stack, development tools, and datasheets, please visit: www.silabs.com/bgm12x. Silicon Labs will showcase the new BGM12x SiP module at the electronica trade fair in Munich, Germany, at booth A4.212, featuring an innovative heart rate monitoring wearable device.
The BGM12x module is based on Silicon Labs’ Blue Gecko wireless SoC, providing an integrated Bluetooth connectivity solution that includes an ARM®Cortex®-M4 processor, high-output Bluetooth power amplifier, high-efficiency built-in antenna, external antenna options, oscillator, and passive components, along with a reliable and secure Bluetooth 4.2 protocol stack and top-notch development tools. The high-level SiP integration of the BGM12x module allows developers to focus more on the final application design without worrying about the complexities of RF system engineering, protocol selection, and antenna design. The module’s extremely small size makes it easy to use in battery-powered applications where space is a priority, including low-cost, double-layer PCB designs.
Daniel Cooley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IoT Products at Silicon Labs, stated: “For IoT endpoint node designs, small size is as important as ultra-low power, low system cost, and high integration. Small package, big surprise; there is no product in the low-power Bluetooth market that can match the BGM12x module. By integrating all the necessary hardware and software components (including a Bluetooth 4.2 compatible protocol stack), the BGM12x SiP module enables developers to quickly and easily create compact Bluetooth designs.”
Like all other Blue Gecko modules from Silicon Labs, the BGM12x module offers developers the flexibility of a module-based design, allowing for minimal system redesign costs and complete software reuse when transitioning to the Blue Gecko SoC. To further assist developers in miniaturizing wearable designs and other Bluetooth-enabled IoT products, the Blue Gecko SoC features an ultra-small (3.3 mm x 3.14 mm x 0.52 mm) wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP).
The BGM12x module is pre-certified for many key global markets, minimizing development costs while significantly reducing the work developers need to do to comply with RF specifications. All application code can run on the BGM12x module without the need for an external MCU, helping to lower system costs, PCB area, and accelerate time to market. Additionally, low-power Bluetooth application profiles and examples also help simplify development.
The BGM12x Blue Gecko module and WLCSP SoC products are supported by the same software architecture, which was developed for Silicon Labs’ popular BGM11x module and the EFR32BG SoC in QFN packages. Silicon Labs’ wireless software development kit (SDK) provides developers with the flexibility to use an external host or achieve complete standalone operation through the easy-to-use Bluegiga BGScript™ scripting language or ANSI C programming language. Silicon Labs’ Bluetooth SDK has been upgraded to support new Bluetooth 4.2 features, such as LE Secure Connections for more secure Bluetooth pairing, LE Data Packet Length Extension for increased throughput, and LE Dual Topology for multiple simultaneous central and peripheral roles.
BGM12x Blue Gecko Module Key Features
The BGM12x module offers different transmit output power options, ranging from 3dBm (BGM123) to 8dBm (BGM121), to support connected device applications with varying range requirements.
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Optimal SiP module size: 6.5mm x 6.5mm x 1.5mm
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Integrated chip antenna with excellent RF performance (70% antenna efficiency), or RF pad options for connection to an external antenna
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Output power: +3dBm to +8dBm, supporting ranges from 10 meters to 200 meters
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Based on Silicon Labs’ Blue Gecko SoC, integrating a 2.4GHz transceiver, 40MHz ARM Cortex-M4 processor core, 256KB flash, and 32KB RAM
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Energy-efficient Bluetooth solution consuming only 9.0mA (peak receive mode) and 8.2mA@ 0dBm (peak transmit mode)
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Hardware encryption accelerator supporting advanced AES, ECC, and SHA algorithms
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Industry-recognized Silicon Labs Bluetooth 4.2 protocol stack with timely feature enhancement updates
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Global RF certification for fast time to market
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Easy-to-use development tools: Simplicity Studio, Energy Profiler, BGScript
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Global application engineering team support
The BGM12x Blue Gecko module is now in mass production and samples are available. The WLCSP version of the Blue Gecko SoC is expected to launch later this month. The SLWSTK6101C Blue Gecko Wireless Starter Kit and free wireless SDK are also available. To order samples of the BGM12x module and starter kit, please visit: www.silabs.com/bgm12x.
You can also scan the following QR code to follow Silicon Labs’ social media platforms for more information on Blue Gecko Bluetooth SoCs and modules:
