Shenzhen RF-star Technology, a renowned IoT wireless module and solution provider has recently released two BLE modules RF-BM-BG24B1 and RF-BM-BG24B2 based on Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 SoC. Both supporting BLE5.3, Bluetooth Mesh, and Proprietary 2.4 GHz, the modules are suitable for solutions such as smart homes, medical devices, smart buildings, industrial control, energy management, etc. Some particular common cases are: gateways/hubs, sensors, switches, door locks, smart plugs, LED lighting, luminaires, blood glucose meters, and pulse oximeters.

Their embedded SoC EFR32BG24 adopts a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M33 processor with frequency of 78 MHz, a 1024 KB programmable flash memory and a 128 KB RAM, thus these modules can meet the demanding requirements of various applications and leave enough room for future iterations. Thanks to the modules’ high RF performance over 2.4GHz, low current consumption, the Secure Vault ™ safety mechanism and other key features, IoT solution builders are able to create intelligent, powerful, and energy-efficient solutions free from remote and local cyber-attacks. Featuring maximum transmission power of 10 dBm / 19.5 dBm respectively, both modules integrate an industrial grade 39 MHz crystal oscillator and a 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator, an onboard PCB antenna, and an interference-proof shield, making them robust enough for various industrial applications. Both modules lead out 30 GPIO pins and other peripherals such as USART, SPI, I2C, ADC, and I2S meeting more flexible and broader demands.

Generic Specs:

Dimensions: 23.35 mm x 17.0 mm x 2.0 mm

Voltage range: 1.8 V to 3.8 V (Bypass mode), 2.2 V to 3.8 V (DC-DC mode)

Operating temperature: -40 ℃ to +85 ℃

Characteristics:

1. Excellent Radio Performance

RF-BM-BG24B1: Max. 10 dBm TX power

RF-BM-BG24B2: Max. 19.5 dBm TX power

Core: ARM Cortex-M33 76.8MHz

Flash: 1024 KB

RAM: 128 KB

2. Low Power Consumption

Low power consumption in sleep mode and active mode expands the battery life in Bluetooth Mesh applications.

• RX current: 4.4 mA(1 Mbps GFSK)
• TX current: 5 mA@ 0 dBm , 19.1 mA@10 dBm, 156.8 mA@19.5 dBm
• Deep Sleep current: 1.3 μA EM2 (16 KB RAM retention and RTC running from LFRCO)

3. BLE5.3, Bluetooth Mesh, and Proprietary 2.4 GHz

RF-BM-BG24B1/B2 support BLE 5.3 and are backward compatible, ideal for Bluetooth Mesh applications. By establishing many-to-many communication among mesh nodes, a Bluetooth Mesh network can span a wide range of physical areas, and support dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of nodes. The latter scenario is very typical in the field of commercial lighting. It also supports capable customers to develop proprietary protocols over 2.4 GHz based on specific scenarios.

4. High Security

Under the PSA Level 3 standard, Secure Vault offers powerful protection against a range of complex software and physical attacks, significantly lowering the threashold for users to build hackproof solutions.

Applications

1. Smart Home

In smart homes, plenty of smart devices are integrated with Bluetooth modules, and Bluetooth MESH can provide wider interconnection among Mesh devices. Devices can be connected to the Mesh network authorized by mobile phone, which is simple and flexible while ensuring the security of the Bluetooth Mesh network. Moreover, using mobile apps to control various devices greatly satisfies the user experience.

2. Building Automation

The modules can be integrated into the relevant systems including lighting, HVAC, safety protection, and energy management, and the future trend will be more intelligent. After deploying Bluetooth Mesh networks in smart buildings, dozens, hundreds, or thousands of wireless devices in the building can reliably and securely communicate with each other and transmit information.

3. Lighting

A large number of Bluetooth modules are built into a lighting Mesh network, and a single light control device is used to synchronize with the cloud, simplifying and effectively controlling all functions for intelligent lighting. Any light or a group of lights in the Mesh network can be controlled by connecting the mobile phones including the functions switching control, adjusting color and brightness to the tailored needs.

4. Industry

Bluetooth Mesh enhances the range of BLE broadcasting. Combined with AoA/AoD positioning and navigation functions, it provides technical means for realizing asset and personnel management, warehouse automation, and automatic monitoring systems. Meanwhile, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) application in the industry is growing fast, and Bluetooth Mesh can meet the strict reliability, scalability, and security requirements of industrial scenarios.

About RF-star

Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. (RF-star) is a high-tech company focusing on radio frequency devices and has been certified by Texas Instruments as a third-party IDH of low-power RF products for more than a decade. RF-star provides IoT wireless modules and a full set of solutions, including BLE, Wi-Fi, Matter, Wi-SUN, Sub-1G, ZigBee, Thread, etc. For more information, kindly visit the company website https://www.rfstariot.com/or contact us at info@szrfstar.com.