Overview
The BlueNRG-234 is an ultra-low power (ULP) Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) system-on-chip (SoC) developed by STMicroelectronics. It is fully compliant with the Bluetooth core specification version 5.2 and supports advanced features such as state-of-the-art security, privacy, and extended packet length for faster data transfer up to 700 kbps at the application level. The BlueNRG-234 embeds STMicroelectronics’s state-of-the-art RF radio IPs, combining unparalleled performance with extremely long battery lifetime. It is designed to run the Bluetooth low energy stack on an embedded ARM Cortex-M0 core, with the BLE stack stored in on-chip non-volatile Flash memory and easily upgradable via SPI/UART using dedicated STMicroelectronics software tools.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature (°C) | -40 to 105 |
| Operating Voltage (V) | 1.7 to 3.6 |
| Package | WLCSP MSL1 |
| ECCN US | 5A992.c |
| ECCN EU | NEC |
| Packing Type | Tape And Reel |
| Flash Memory | 256 kB |
| RAM | 24 kB (two 12 kB banks) |
| Interfaces | SPI, UART, 2 x I²C, 14/15/26 GPIOs |
| Output Power | Up to +8 dBm (at antenna connector) |
| RF Link Budget | Up to 96 dB |
| Sleep Current Consumption | Down to 1 µA |
| TX Current Consumption | 6.8 mA (@ -2 dBm, 3.0 V) |
| RX Current Consumption | 6.2 mA (@ sensitivity level, 3.0 V) |
Key Features
- Bluetooth® 5.2 certified, ensuring interoperability with the latest generation of smartphones and other host devices.
- Ultra-low power architecture with sleep current consumption down to 1 µA and integrated DC-DC step-down converter and LDO regulators.
- Supports LE data length extension (up to 700 kbps at application level) and LE Privacy 1.2 for enhanced security and privacy.
- LE secure connections using the elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) key agreement protocol.
- Multi-central to multi-peripheral communication, handling up to 8 simultaneous connections.
- High performance RF link budget (up to 96 dB) and programmable output power level up to +8 dBm.
- Integrated peripherals including UART, SPI, I²C, multifunction timers, watchdog, RTC, DMA controller, and 10-bit ADC.
- Support for over-the-air firmware update, which is 2.5 times faster.
- Built-in image authentication technology for enhanced cyber-security.
Applications
- Watches and fitness, wellness, and sports devices.
- Consumer medical devices.
- Security and proximity applications.
- Remote control devices.
- Home and industrial automation.
- Assisted living devices.
- Mobile phone peripherals.
- Lighting systems.
- PC peripherals.
Q & A
- What is the BlueNRG-234?
The BlueNRG-234 is an ultra-low power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) system-on-chip developed by STMicroelectronics.
- What Bluetooth version does the BlueNRG-234 support?
The BlueNRG-234 is compliant with Bluetooth core specification version 5.2.
- What is the operating temperature range of the BlueNRG-234?
The operating temperature range is from -40°C to 105°C.
- What is the maximum output power of the BlueNRG-234?
The maximum output power is up to +8 dBm at the antenna connector.
- How many simultaneous connections can the BlueNRG-234 handle?
The BlueNRG-234 can handle up to 8 simultaneous connections.
- What security features does the BlueNRG-234 support?
The BlueNRG-234 supports LE Privacy 1.2 and LE secure connections using the elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) key agreement protocol.
- What is the sleep current consumption of the BlueNRG-234?
The sleep current consumption is down to 1 µA.
- Does the BlueNRG-234 support over-the-air firmware updates?
Yes, the BlueNRG-234 supports over-the-air firmware updates, which are 2.5 times faster.
- What are some common applications of the BlueNRG-234?
Common applications include watches, fitness devices, consumer medical devices, security and proximity applications, remote control devices, home and industrial automation, assisted living devices, mobile phone peripherals, and lighting systems.
- What kind of interfaces does the BlueNRG-234 provide?
The BlueNRG-234 provides SPI, UART, 2 x I²C, and 14/15/26 GPIOs.
