The BlueNRG-MS network processor integrates a Bluetooth PHY and 2.4GHz radio, ARM Cortex-M0 microcontroller running the Bluetooth 4.1 protocol stack, and dedicated AES-128 security coprocessor. API, power management, and Flash are already integrated, allowing direct connection to the application host controller using a simple SPI bus leveraging software partitioning between network processor and host microcontroller. The Bluetooth 4.1 specification increases energy efficiency and supports dual-mode topologies containing devices operating as both master and slave. The new Low-Duty-Cycle Directed Advertising minimises energy consumed when connecting to known devices. The specification also introduces Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP), which enables flexible data exchanges leveraging multi-channel communications and quality of service. The network processor can power a hub capable of collecting sensor data and acting as a peripheral to transfer the data to a smartphone. It can also allow very large sensor networks with unlimited communication range, controlled by a single smartphone, says the company. It also supports the latest moves towards IP-based connectivity added to Bluetooth 4.1, which enables developers to target opportunities in the IoT (Internet of Things). The processor is available now in a 5 x 5 x 1mm QFN32 package. A CSP option with the 2.6 x 2.6mm footprint and height as low as 0.56mm will be available after April 2015.

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