u-blox's new Bluetooth module uses a new Bluetooth chip from Nordic Semiconductor

     U-blox announced the launch of the latest ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 Bluetooth LE modules, which feature Nordic Semiconductor's next-generation nRF54 series system-on-chip (SoC) and support for Bluetooth LE 5.4 and Thread/Matter technologies in a small, energy-efficient and secure package.

     ALMA-B1 and NORA B2 are suitable for various iot applications such as industrial automation, healthcare and smart homes. The ALMA-B1 is a high-end wireless MCU, while the low-power NOR-B2 is better suited for less complex applications. In indoor positioning applications, ALMA-B1 can be used as an anchor due to its powerful processing power, and NORA-B2 is more suitable for asset tracking because of its excellent energy-saving characteristics.

     According to ABI Research*, shipments of Bluetooth LE devices are expected to roughly double the current number by 2028. At the same time, AI/ edge machine learning and new applications unlocked by sensor fusion bring more and more stringent requirements, including higher security, greater processing power, and excellent battery efficiency.

     Supported by Nordic's low-power multi-protocol SoC products nRF54H20 and nRF54L15, ALMA-B1 and NOR-B2 will provide the processing power needed for edge computing and machine learning for iot devices without the need for additional components. ALMA-B1 has more than twice the processing power of previous Bluetooth LE modules and can even replace general-purpose MCUS in small solutions.

     Both modules also significantly reduce power consumption. Compared to previous generations of Bluetooth LE modules, the power consumption of NORA-B2 is reduced by up to 50%. In end products, this helps to reduce battery size or extend battery life.

     ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 are designed for PSA Level 3 certification to provide a higher level of iot security. In addition to features such as secure boot, secure storage, secure debug interfaces and hardware encryption accelerators, next-generation security features such as physical tamper detection and bypass attack protection are available.

     The small size of the ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 modules (10x11 mm or 10x14 mm) helps to save space in product design, is compatible with the u-blox series modules, and is globally certified.

     "It's great to see u-blox integrate Nordic's new generation chipset nRF54 series in these modules. If we can fully explore the potential of this series, it is bound to develop a large number of refreshing and revolutionary Internet of Things terminal products. The ALMA-B1 has excellent power efficiency in RF and MCU processing, while the NOR-B2 has ultra-low power consumption suitable for the mass market, so both modules have clear differentiating advantages in the market."