#ble module

The operating modes of Bluetooth modules encompass two technologies: Classic Bluetooth (BR/EDR) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Each technology has various operating modes, such as master mode, slave mode, master-slave mode, and advertising mode. Among these, master mode and slave mode are the two fundamental roles that devices play in Bluetooth communication, defining their behavior and responsibilities in the connection and data transmission process.

Beacon600 is the latest 2.4GHz beacon module which is compatible with BLE. This module integrates the MCU and process the SPI protocol. It provides generic UART interface, users can connect the module with smart phone with BLE. This module has the same structure of BLE, and works as Broadcast mode of Bluetooth. It is easier and cost-effective compare with Bluetooth.

Master Mode

Initiating Connections: The master device is responsible for scanning nearby Bluetooth devices and actively initiating pairing and connection requests.

Controlling the Connection: Once the connection is established, the master device controls the connection parameters, such as the connection interval and the start and stop of data transmission.

Multiple Device Connections: A master device can theoretically connect to multiple slave devices simultaneously.

Master Mode

Initiating Connections: The master device is responsible for scanning nearby Bluetooth devices and actively initiating pairing and connection requests.

Controlling the Connection: Once the connection is established, the master device controls the connection parameters, such as the connection interval and the start and stop of data transmission.

Multiple Device Connections: A master device can theoretically connect to multiple slave devices simultaneously.

Slave Mode

Passive Connection Reception: The slave device cannot initiate connection requests. Instead, it waits to be discovered and connected by the master device.

Responding to Connections: Upon receiving a connection request from the master device, the slave device responds and establishes the connection.

Data Interaction: Once the connection is established, the slave device can exchange data with the master device, although the communication parameters are primarily controlled by the master.

Dependence on Master Clock: During communication, the slave device's clock is synchronized with the master's clock, ensuring synchronous data transmission between both devices.

In some cases, devices support a master-slave mode, allowing them to switch between master and slave roles to adapt to different application scenarios or take on different communication responsibilities as needed. This flexibility enhances the applicability and functionality of Bluetooth devices, particularly in IoT and wearable device scenarios.

Master-Slave Mode

Bluetooth modules can switch between the roles of master and slave as needed. This means the same Bluetooth module can act like a master device, scanning for and connecting to other slave devices, controlling the data transmission process, and can also switch to the slave role, waiting to be discovered and connected by other master devices.

This mode significantly enhances the flexibility and versatility of Bluetooth devices in various application scenarios. For instance, in IoT devices, one device might need to act as a central node collecting data at certain times, while also being able to function as a terminal device reporting data to another central node.

Broadcast Communication Mode

One-to-One Communication

In one-to-one communication, Bluetooth devices establish a dedicated connection. This connection ensures reliable data transmission, and in point-to-point communication, Bluetooth's transfer speed and stability are guaranteed.

Many-to-Many Communication

The Bluetooth module integrates an MCU internally and communicates through Bluetooth broadcasting and scanning protocols. It supports transparent UART transmission and has no limits on the number of connections, which is particularly evident in BLE.

Broadcast Mode

Broadcast mode refers to the Bluetooth module periodically sending data packets (advertisement packets) in a non-connected manner. These packets can be received by any device within range and in listening mode. In broadcast mode, the Bluetooth module does not establish one-to-one connections but instead uses a one-to-many approach to broadcast information to all interested receivers.

Beacon600 Bluetooth module is low power, cost-effective, and powerful, suitable for a variety of wireless communication applications. It offers flexible parameter configuration and efficient data transmission capabilities.

BLE Module BLE5101 Support Master-Slave Coexistence & BLE 5.1 Protocol https://www.nicerf.com/ble-module/

BLE5101 is a BLE module based on BLE 5.1 Protocol, coexistence of master and slave roles, small size, low power consumption, and the working signal frequency band is 2.4GHz. The BLE5101 module is developed by Shenzhen NiceRF Wireless Technology Co., Ltd. The module supports the coexistence of master and slave roles, can connect to the master and slave at the same time, and can flexibly set the number of master and slave connections, and can support up to 20 connections.

The Bluetooth module refers to a set of chip basic circuits that integrate Bluetooth functions, and is used for short-range 2.4G wireless communication modules. For the end user, the Bluetooth module is a semi-finished product. Through the process of functional redevelopment and encapsulation of the shell on the basis of the module, the final product that can utilize Bluetooth communication is realized.

Classic Bluetooth Module (BT):

Refers to the module that supports the Bluetooth protocol below 4.0, and is generally used for transmission of relatively large amounts of data, such as: voice, music and other higher data transmission. Classic Bluetooth modules can be subdivided into: traditional Bluetooth modules and high-speed Bluetooth modules. The traditional Bluetooth module was launched in 2004, mainly represented by the module supporting the Bluetooth 2.1 protocol, which was widely supported during the outbreak of smartphones. Introduced in 2009, the high-speed Bluetooth module has increased the speed to about 24Mbps, which is eight times that of the traditional Bluetooth module, and can be easily used for data transfer between VCRs to HDTVs, PCs to PMPs, and UMPCs to printers.

  BLE module

It refers to a module that supports BLE 4.0 protocol or higher, also known as BLE module. The biggest feature is the reduction of cost and power consumption. It is used in products with high real-time requirements, such as: smart home (Bluetooth lock, Bluetooth lights), data transmission of sensing devices (blood pressure monitors, temperature sensors), consumer electronics (electronic cigarettes, remote control toys), etc.

  Differences between BLE module and classic Bluetooth module

1. Bluetooth version

The BLE module supports BLE 4.0 or above protocols; the classic Bluetooth module generally refers to those that support the Bluetooth 4.0 protocol or below, such as: Bluetooth 3.0, 2.0, 1.0.

 2. Power consumption

The BLE module has low power consumption and can be used for a long time with a button battery. It is often used in IoT smart products, such as: smart home (Bluetooth locks, Bluetooth lights), data transmission of sensing devices (blood pressure monitor) , temperature sensor), consumer electronics (electronic cigarettes, remote control toys), the classic Bluetooth module consumes a lot of power and needs to be powered.

 3. Time required to send data

A BLE module usually takes only a few milliseconds to "complete" a connection, that is, it only takes a few milliseconds to scan other devices, establish a link, send data, authenticate and end; a classic Bluetooth module completes the same connection cycle for a long time, generally requiring hundreds of milliseconds.

 4. Bluetooth broadcast channel

The BLE module has only three broadcast channels (dividing network interference): 36, 37, and 38; while the traditional Bluetooth module has 32.

 5. Transmission data type

The BLE module uses very short data packets, and is mostly used in devices with high real-time requirements but low data rates, such as remote control keyboards and remote mice. Data transmission from sensing devices, such as heartbeat belts, blood pressure monitors, temperature sensors, etc. The data packet length used by the classic Bluetooth module is longer, which can be used for transmission of relatively large data volume, such as voice, music, and high data volume transmission.

  NiceRF's BLE Module Recommendations

BLE5101

1. Support Bluetooth mesh networking;

2. Support the coexistence of master and slave roles, which can connect multiple masters and slaves at the same time, up to 20 connections;

3. Support over-the-air upgrade (OTA DFU);

4. Support two connection modes: manual connection and automatic connection;

5. Support custom 16-bit UUID, including one Service uuid and two Characteristic uuid, which can be flexibly configured and compatible with similar BLE products;

6. Passed FCC ID and CE-RED certification;

7. Support low power consumption mode

BLE5201

1. Supports BLE master role mode, slave role mode, master-slave integrated mode and Beacon mode at the same time;

2. Support air upgrade;

3. Use button battery to work for up to 10 years;

4. Simple to use, no need for any Bluetooth protocol stack application experience;

5. Support low power consumption mode

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The BLE module BLE5101 developed based on the BLE 5.1 protocol is easy to operate, and its transparent transmission characteristics and MTU (maximum number of bytes sent in a single packet) up to 247 bytes make the module can be widely used in smart wear, smart Home, automobile, lighting, intelligent automation data collection, intelligent control, wireless sensing, electronic tags and other scenarios. The remote control car based on the BLE module BLE5101 is one of the applications.

Application of BLE module in intelligent remote control car

This application uses the BLE module BLE5101 as the core of data transmission, and connects other MCUs to the serial port of BLE5101 to form a general system block diagram:

BLE5101 acts as the core of data transmission. The remote control terminal sends data to BLE5101 through the serial port, and BLE5101 sends the data to the car terminal, so that the driving status of the car can be remotely controlled; The driving information is transmitted to the remote control terminal in real time to realize the real-time monitoring function.

  Advantages of BLE module used in intelligent remote control car

The remote control terminal can be freely selected according to customer needs:

1. Uses martphone to establish Bluetooth connection with the BLE module BLE5101 on the car side, and use the app to control the remote control of the car.

1. Introduction of BLE Module BLE5101

This article is intended to guide users to upgrade the BLE module BLE5101 over the air, using an Android app and new firmware, and how to connect to the BLE5101 and write the firmware. 

The BLE module BLE5101 supports the following functions:

①2.4GHz BLE 5.1(Low power Bluetooth)

②Cortex-M3 chip

③Ultra low power sleep mode

④Various peripherals

  2. Preparation

Hardware:

BLE5101 module: one piece

Software:

an upgrade firmware

FR801xH_OTA.apk for Android

  3. Upgrade of BLE Module BLE5101

3.1 Confirm whether the BLE5101 has enabled BLE advertising. If BLE module BLE5101 advertising is enabled, please ignore this step; if it is not enabled, you need to modify the parameters of BLE5101.

Send data "+++\r\n" to the Bluetooth serial port or pull down the SET pin to enter the configuration mode("\r\n" is a carriage return and line feed, that is, 0x0d 0x0a). Then send the command "AT+CONS=x,y\r\n", where x must be greater than 0 and x+y<=20. The module returns OK to indicate that the setting is successful, restart the module to make the configuration take effect.

 3.2 Open FR801xH_OTA, find the BLE module BLE5101, click to connect to Bluetooth.

After the connection is successful, click 1 to select upgrade firmware (it is recommended to put the firmware in an easy-to-find phone directory), and then click 2 to start writing.

BLE5101 is a BLE module based on BLE 5.1 protocol, with a working frequency band of 2.4GHz. It has the characteristics of small size, low power consumption, master-slave coexistence and so on.

How to use BLE Module BLE5101

Tools:

SSCOM Serial Debugging Assistant,

nRF Connectfor Android,

The phone version Android 10

(Serial port setting: 115200, 8, N, 1)

1. Confirm whether the BLE module is in configuration mode

The BLE module BLE5101 manufactured by our company will enter the configuration mode by default when it is powered on, so as to facilitate the user to set parameters. In the configuration mode, the module will not automatically run the Bluetooth functions and is in the idle state.

Send the AT test command "AT\r\n" (where \r\n is the carriage return and line feed, ie 0x0d 0x0a) to confirm whether the module enters the configuration mode:

If there is no reply, the module does not enter the configuration mode. Send a packet of string "+++\r\n" or pull the SET pin (PIN 6) low to enter configuration mode. When entering the configuration mode, the serial port of the module will reply with the message "[ENTER AT MODE]":

2. Turn off the function of automatically entering configuration mode after power-on

Send the AT command "AT+ENATMODE=0\r\n", the module returns "OK" and the setting is successful. The module will apply this parameter the next time it starts.

3. Modify the MAC Address of the BLE module

The BLE5101 modules manufactured by our company have the same MAC Address. It is impossible to establish a Bluetooth connection between two BLE5101 modules with the same MAC Address, so it is necessary to modify the MAC Address of one of the BLE modules.

For example, set the MAC Address of the module to 11:22:33:44:55:66, and send the AT command "AT+MAC=112233445566\r\n":

If the module returns "OK", the setting is successful.

4. Enable the master-slave function of the BLE module

Send the AT command "AT+CONS?\r\n" to check whether the master-slave function of the BLE module is enabled:

The module returns "+CONS=a,b". Among them, when a=0, the module will disable the slave function, the module cannot enable Bluetooth broadcast, and reject any connection request from the Bluetooth master; when b=0, the module will disable the master function, and the module cannot enable Bluetooth scanning. BLE5101 module supports the coexistence of master and slave, so a and b can be set to 1 together, and the master function and the slave function can be turned on at the same time.

Send the AT command "AT+CONS=1,1\r\n", the module returns "OK" and the setting is successful. The module will apply this parameter the next time it starts.

5. Restart the BLE module

Send the command "AT+RESET\r\n" or power on the module to restart. If the SET pin is pulled low, the SET pin needs to be restored to a high level, otherwise the BLE module will still enter the configuration mode after restarting.

The module will always apply the above setting parameters, and will automatically turn on Bluetooth scanning and Bluetooth advertising after power-on. Open nRF Connect, start scanning, the phone will be able to receive advertise packets from BLE5101, and users can click CONNECT to establish a Bluetooth connection; if two BLE5101 modules have these settings applied, they will automatically establish a Bluetooth connection after they are powered on.

6. BLE5101 establish a Bluetooth connection with each other and send and receive data

If there are two BLE5101 modules with the 1-5 step settings applied, then they will automatically establish a bluetooth connection. After the module is successfully connected as a master, the serial port will reply: "SLAVE CONNECTED" and display the MAC address of the slave; otherwise, it will reply: "MASTER CONNECTED" and display the MAC address of the master.

Note: Since the Bluetooth advertising of the two BLE5101 modules is turned on together with the Bluetooth scan, it cannot be guaranteed that one party is fixed as the master or the slave during the actual connection. If one party needs to be fixed as the master/slave, after entering the configuration mode, send the AT+CONS command to set the corresponding function to 0.

When BLE5101 is connected as a master, due to the BLE protocol process, it needs to discover the GATT Service and GATT Characteristic of the slave. This process takes about 1-2s, and then automatically sends a Notification Enable request to the BLE5101 slave to start data transmission. BLE5101 supports a maximum MTU of 250, that is, a single packet can send up to 250 - 3 = 247 bytes of data.

7. The mobile phone establishes a Bluetooth connection with BLE5101 and sends and receives data

After establishing a Bluetooth connection between the mobile phone and BLE5101 through 1-5 points, you can start sending and receiving data as shown in the figure:

1) The default Primary Service UUID of BLE5101 for sending and receiving data is 0xFFF0. Click to view the Characteristic included in the Primary Service.

2) When BLE5101 is used as a slave, it sends a Notification notification to the master through the Characteristic with the Notify attribute by default. Click the arrow to send a Notification Enable request to the BLE5101 to automatically receive the data sent by the BLE5101.

3) Click the arrow to send data to BLE5101, and BLE5101 will print it out through the serial port after receiving the data.

NiceRF: What is low energy Bluetooth and how to choose a BLE module?

Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE), also known as smart Bluetooth, has evolved from the Bluetooth 4.0 to the current Bluetooth 5.2. Before being adopted by Bluetooth SIG, it was a short-range wireless communication technology designed by Nokia. Its original aim was to provide a wireless standard with the lowest power consumption, and specifically optimize low cost, low bandwidth, low power consumption and low complexity. BLE has gradually become a low-power standard for semiconductor manufacturers and low-power Bluetooth and low-cost practical application design. At present, low-power Bluetooth technology has been widely used. It can run for a long time with only one button battery. So how to choose a BLE module?

 Method of selecting BLE module:

1. Transmission rate

Transmission rate is usually the first consideration for engineers due to it is related to the type of information transmitted. Therefore, when selecting the BLE module, the application must be clear, and the data transmission rate required in the working state must be taken as the selection standard.

  2. BLE module Transmission Distance

Transmission distance is also an important consideration when selecting BLE module. The farther the distance, the better of the BLE module. According to the distance in the practical application, determine which BLE module can better meet the data transmission requirements.

  3. Power consumption

Power consumption is mainly determined by transmission rate and distance. Generally, Bluetooth devices are powered by batteries, and the power consumption directly determines the endurance of the product. Bluetooth module itself is famous for its low power consumption. Nevertheless, due to it has a variety of working states, the power consumption value in each state is different, which needs to be determined by engineers according to the actual application.

  4. BLE module Chip

The chip determines the computing capability of the BLE module. Without a powerful core, the performance of the BLE module cannot be guaranteed.

  5. BLE module Interface

The interface of BLE module is optional. There are serial, USB, digital I / O port, analog I / O port, SPI and voice interface. For data transmission, serial interface (TTL level) can be used.

  6. Working mode

BLE Bluetooth has different working mode. They are master, slave, master-slave coexistence / master-slave connection. Generally, one master can communicate with multi- slaves and support point-to-point communication.

 To help customers make better choices, NiceRF has listed the BLE modules of various versions

The company's BLE5201 BLE module uses BLE 5.2 protocol and uses Silicon Labs' EFR32BG22C224 SOC chip. It has the characteristics of low power consumption, small size, long transmission distance, and strong anti-interference ability.BLE5201 has ultra-low transmitting and receiving current (3.6 mA when transmitting power is 0 dBm; receiving 2.6 mA) and high-performance, low-power M33 core, which can extend the life of button batteries to ten years. Target applications include Bluetooth Mesh low-power nodes, smart door locks, personal healthcare and fitness equipment. The SOC’s Bluetooth Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) functions and positioning accuracy within 1 meter will also benefit applications such as asset tracking tags, beacons, and indoor navigation. EFR32BG22C224 SOC provides IQ sampling capability, suitable for direction finding applications, and supports 125 KB and 500 KB Bluetooth Low Energy Coded PHY, which can increase the receiving sensitivity to -106 dBm. Supports applications that require direction finding or low energy Bluetooth Mesh nodes.BLE5201 BLE module strictly uses lead-free technology for production and testing, and meets RoHS and Reach standards.BLE module BLE5201

Features of BLE module BLE5201

Developed based on Bluetooth BLE5.2 protocol

Support single slave and one master with multiple slaves, can connect multiple slaves at the same time, up to 8 connections

Support 2 working modes of configuration and transparent transmission

Support over-the-air upgrade (OTA DFU)

Support low power sleep

Support automatic broadcasting, scanning, connection

Support manual connection and automatic connection 2 connection methods

The maximum MTU is 247 bytes

Support custom 16-bit UUID, including one Service UUID and two Characteristic UUID

Maximum transmission distance 150m (6dBm, Coded PHY)

Support automatic binding

Support multiple serial port parameter configuration

Applications of BLE module BLE5201

Wireless meter reading wireless sensor

Smart home

Industrial remote control, telemetry

Smart buildings, smart buildings

Automated data collection

Health sensor

Smart wearable device

Smart robot

Wireless sensing

Electronic tags

Intelligent control

For details, please click