Silicon Labs introduces the industry's most flexible dual-mode Bluetooth module solution

     Silicon Labs, a leading provider of wireless connectivity solutions in the Internet of Things (IoT), announced the launch of its dual-mode Bluetooth Smart Ready module solution. This provides embedded developers with unmatched flexibility to integrate Bluetooth Smart and Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate(BR/EDR) wireless technologies while minimizing design time, cost, and complexity. Silicon Labs acquired Bluegiga, whose new Bluetooth Smart Ready BT121 module delivers a pre-certified, fully integrated and high-performance solution. The solution includes a Bluetooth radio, microcontroller (MCU), and on-board Bluetooth software protocol stack, and is fully supported by Silicon Labs' free Bluetooth Smart Ready software development Kit (SDK) and easy-to-use BGScript scripting language.

     The BT121 Bluetooth Smart Ready modules and software are designed to help developers accelerate time-to-market, reduce development costs, and reduce certification risks by providing a flexible, plug-and-play Bluetooth solution. The BT121 module is suitable not only for applications in Bluetooth BR/EDR traditional connected devices, but also for the latest applications using Bluetooth Smart, such as connected home, health and fitness, wearables and point-of-sale terminals. There are still millions of traditional smartphones, tablets and PCS that do not yet support Bluetooth Smart technology. In addition, some applications still require the high throughput benefits of Bluetooth Classic technology, which is not the primary application goal of Bluetooth Smart.

     For applications that want both ultra-low power consumption and high data rate Bluetooth connectivity, the BT121 module is the "best of both worlds" solution. For example, the module can connect to both traditional devices that support only Bluetooth SPP or Apple® iAP2 configurations, as well as devices that support Bluetooth Smart. The easy-to-use BT121 module integrates a high-performance Bluetooth radio with a transmission range of up to 400 meters, a low-power ARM MCU and a fully certified Bluetooth Smart Ready protocol stack in a compact 11mm x 14mm table mount package. It is one of the smallest Bluetooth Smart Ready modules on the market.

     RF or Bluetooth protocol development expertise is not required when using the BT121 module for Bluetooth design. With the Bluegiga BGScript scripting language, application code is embedded into the module's built-in MCU, and the module can be used as a peripheral to the external host MCU, creating a complete stand-alone design with minimal external components.

     RikuMettala, general manager of Wireless Module products at Silicon Labs, said: "With our new BT121 solution, adding Bluetooth Smart and BR/EDR connectivity to your wireless design is simple and easy. Bluetooth Smart is rapidly becoming the most widely adopted wireless protocol for power-sensitive personal area network applications. "With Bluegiga's deep wireless expertise, we will continue to roll out Bluetooth modules and software stacks along our product roadmap, enabling our customers to respond quickly to the largest and fastest growing low-power wireless connectivity opportunity in the IoT space."