FCL Components Introduces High-Performance Wireless Module

Unit offers better memory with lower power consumption

FCL Components introduced the FWMBLZ23 Bluetooth® 5.3 wireless radio module. Developed as a 1-to-1, higher-performance replacement for FCL Components' FWMBLZ20B module and featuring a full drop-in compatible pin layout, the module conforms to Bluetooth Core Specification Version 5.3.

The FWMBLZ23 has the same dimensions as the FWMBLZ20B, but offers 4x the memory (256KB RAM) and 2x the flash memory (1 MB) of its predecessor, allowing it to accommodate more complex programs and software. Increased memory and flash memory give designers the option to leverage the Matter royalty-free home automation connectivity standard as well as the Thread® IP-based networking protocol, with ample memory space for users’ applications.

What’s more, the module’s hardware encoding system enables the 125Kbps Bluetooth Low Energy Long Range communication mode. Users can then leverage the full capabilities of the Bluetooth 5.3 long-range mode, which covers roughly four times the area than the Bluetooth 5.0 long-range mode.

The FWM7BLZ23 also boasts double the transmitting power (+8dBm) of the predecessor unit, achievable with less power consumption. Additional interfaces include NFC, UART, GPIO, I2S, PDM, QSPI, TWI, and ADC, facilitating the design of many embedded applications with a single module. A variety of applications for which the unit is suited encompasses electric appliances and electronic products that require personal area communication functionality.

Replacing the FWMBLZ20B with the FWMBLZ23 permits users to easily become part of the FCL Components ecosystem, starting with one application and migrating to others for added value. Further added value and support provided directly through FCL Components, such as practical advice on Nordic SDK and antenna/module placement know-how, afford the convenience of maintaining a single point of contact, rather than multiple ones, for application design.

Applications

Supporting Bluetooth Specification Version 5.3, the FWM7BLZ23 Low Energy Bluetooth Module’s hardware encoding system supports 125Kbps BLE LR mode, which enables it to bring out full capability of Wirepas Mesh and enabling the use of Matter.

What is ‘Wirepas Mesh’?

Wirepas Mesh is a wireless mesh network protocol designed for the Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It enables devices to communicate with each other through a self-forming and self-healing mesh network, which allows for reliable and scalable connectivity in large-scale IoT deployments. As a 2.4GHz decentralized mesh network solution, it features high scalability and offers advantages such as self-healing and low to no interference.

What is ‘Matter'?

Matter is an open standard for smart home technology from the Connectivity Standards Alliance, an organization of hundreds of companies creating products for the smart home. It drives the convergence between the major IoT ecosystems to create one easy, reliable, and secure wireless protocol to connect all IoT devices and networks. Through the use of Matter, businesses can ensure their devices work within any Matter-certified ecosystem using a single protocol.

Bringing added value

Devices using the FCL Components modules can easily become Wirepas mesh enabled. Bringing the advantages of the Wirepas Mesh network and allowing the devices to co-operate with a large line-up of other Wirepas enabled devices from several different suppliers.

Specifications

• Bluetooth Specification Version 5.3 (low energy single mode radio) compliant
• Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840-QFAA based (QFN package, Flash memory: 1024KB, RAM: 256KB)
• GPIO pins (30 pins) of nRF52832 are assigned to this module (can be used as NFC, SPI, TWI, UART, ADC and QSPI)
• Complete Bluetooth protocol stack provided by Nordic Semiconductor
• Power Supply: 1.7 to 3.6 V
• RoHS Compliant
• Surface mount type
• Small footprint (15.7 mm x 9.8 mm x 1.7 mm)
• Built-in crystal oscillators (32 MHz and 32.768 kHz)
• Integrated Antenna
• NFC function (connecting an external antenna is required)

For more information:

Datasheet