Microchip announces two next-generation Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) solutions with an easy-to-use ASCII-like command interface that makes device setup simple and eliminates any complicated code sampling. The RN4870 and RN4871 are compatible with the latest Bluetooth 4.2 specifications and incorporate a Bluetooth stack with a programming engine to enable standalone operation without requiring a microcontroller in simple applications. These next-generation Bluetooth devices shorten time to market and improve total cost of ownership.
The RN4870 and RN4871 devices offer up to 2.5 times the data throughput of previous-generation Bluetooth 4.0-based products. Furthermore, these new Bluetooth solutions provide enhanced connection security through a combination of FIPS (Federal Information Processing Standards) compliance and advanced features. The devices can seamlessly transfer serial data via BLE devices and support various beacon formats, such as iBeacon™ and Eddystone™, with a single command. Both shielded devices are fully certified to meet global standards and are available in compact packages starting at 6 x 8 mm. All of this, combined with Microchip's user-friendly interface, helps customers accelerate their time to market.
Each module incorporates a software stack and is compatible with any of Microchip's many low-power microcontrollers or any Microchip microcontroller with a UART interface. The RN4870 and RN4871 are designed to complement Microchip's broad portfolio of low-power solutions for Internet of Things applications.
The shielded RN4870-V/RM118 with a built-in antenna is now available for sampling and volume production in a 12 x 22 mm module. The unshielded RN4870U-V/RM118 with an external antenna is now available for sampling and volume production in a 12 x 15 mm module.
The shielded RN4871-V/RM118 with a built-in antenna is now available for sampling in a 9 x 11.5 mm module. The unshielded RN4871U-V/RM118 with an external antenna is now available for sampling in a 6 x 8 mm module.
Microchip also offers the RN4870 Bluetooth 4.2 Low-Energy PICtail™/PICtail Plus daughterboard with sensor board (RN-4870-SNSR). This board is now available.
In addition, the RN4870 and RN4871 modules will offer support for several existing interfaces, such as the PIC18 Explorer board (DM183032), the Explorer 16 board (DM240001/2), and the PIC32 expansion board (DM320002).
