BLE solutions eliminate MCU use for simple apps
Article By : Microchip
The RN4870 and RN4871 devices deliver up to 2.5 times the data throughput improvement over previous generation products based on the Bluetooth 4.0 standard.
Microchip Technology has launched two next-generation Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) solutions with an easy-to-use ASCII-style command interface that makes the devices easy to configure and eliminates any complicated code compiling.
The RN4870 and RN4871 support the latest Bluetooth 4.2 specification and have a Bluetooth stack on board with a scripting engine to enable standalone operation and eliminate microcontroller (MCU) use for simple applications, according to the company.
![[BLE 01]](/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/04/EETI_BLE_01.jpg)
__Figure 1:__ *Both devices are fully certified to meet global regulatory standards.*
The RN4870 and RN4871 devices deliver up to 2.5 times the data throughput improvement over previous generation products based on the Bluetooth 4.0 standard. In addition, the new Bluetooth solutions offer Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) based connection security coupled with advanced features. The devices can seamlessly transfer serial data over BLE devices and can support different beacon formats like iBeacon or Eddystone via a single command. Both devices with a shield option are fully certified to meet worldwide regulatory standards and are available with compact package options as small as 6mm x 8mm.
Each module has an on-board software stack and pairs well with any of Microchip's large range of low-power microcontrollers or any microcontroller with a UART interface. The RN4870 and RN4871 are designed to complement Microchip's diverse low-energy solutions designed for IoT applications.
![[BLE 02]](/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2020/04/EETI_BLE_02.jpg)
__Figure 2:__ *RN4870-71 block diagram*
The RN4870-V/RM118, which is shielded with an on-board antenna, is available now for sampling and volume production in a 12mm x 22mm module starting at ₹364.86 ($5.40) each in 1,000-unit quantities.
The RN4870U-V/RM118, which is unshielded with an external antenna, is available now for sampling and volume production in a 12mm x 15mm module starting at ₹302.03 ($4.47) each in 1,000-unit quantities.
The RN4871-V/RM118, which is shielded with an on-board antenna, is available now for sampling in a 9mm x 11.5mm module starting at ₹364.86 ($5.40) each in 1,000-unit quantities. The RN4871U-V/RM118, which is unshielded with an external antenna, is available now for sampling in a 6mm x 8mm module starting at ₹ 302.03 ($4.47) each in 1,000-unit quantities.
