Alpha Micro launches low-energy Bluetooth Smart™ Modules for medical and other devices from Laird Technologies

Medical devices that send small amounts of data wirelessly will be able to run for months or even years on a coin cell battery when they use Laird Technologies new Bluetooth Smart™BL600 modules from Alpha Micro Components. These unique product solutions are ideal for applications in the industrial, medical, and M2M communications industries.

Jonathan Kaye, Laird Product Manager noted that the modules, each the size of a 5 pence piece, are perfect for a broad range of devices including in-home medical devices, battery-powered sensors, data collection devices, and health and fitness equipment and applications.

The world market for Bluetooth Smart, which uses Bluetooth®Low Energy (BLE) technology, is poised for explosive growth. Sales of Bluetooth Smart devices should grow from 5.4 million devices in 2012 to nearly 160 million units in 2016, according to industry analyst IMS Research. Thanks to the innovative smartBASIC programming language that it bundles with each of its Bluetooth Smart modules, Laird is positioned to capture a large share of the market.

“A coin-cell battery supplies enough power for the module for months or even years of data transmissions to a smartphone or other gateway,” Kaye said. “Integration of the new module into a device is fast and easy, and we expect very quick adoption in medical devices and other equipment worldwide.”

“Alpha Micro provides components and solutions from Laird Technologies that protect electronic devices from electromagnetic interference and heat, and enable connectivity through wireless applications and antennae systems,” said Christos Papakyriacou, Managing Director, Alpha Micro Components. “The BL600 modules further extend our comprehensive portfolio offering.”

Alpha Micro’s custom products are supplied to all sectors of the M2M industry, including the telematics, security, smart metering, data transfer and information technology, automotive, medical, rail and industrial automation markets.

More About the Technology

What makes the BL600 modules special is Laird’s smartBASIC, an event-driven programming language that simplifies BLE module integration. Even those with little software or Bluetooth expertise can develop fully functional applications in just days.

Those applications, along with a complete BLE stack, reside on the module itself and do not require an external microcontroller or memory. Every BL600 Series (BL600) module will greatly simplify the process of adding single-mode Bluetooth Smart to any small, portable, power-conscious device.

Based on the award winning Nordic Semiconductor nRF51822 system-on-a-chip (SoC), BL600 modules provide exceptionally low power consumption with outstanding wireless range. The modules support a variety of ultra-low power saving modes to achieve as little as 1000 nanoamperes (1000 nA, or 1uA) of power consumption in deep sleep mode and 10.5 mA when transmitting data at 0 dBm.

"This series of modules from Laird Technologies means customers don't need to be experts in BLE to start designing BLE products or capabilities," said Geir Langeland, Nordic Semiconductor's Director of Sales and Marketing. "And because the BL600 Series is based on the Nordic nRF51822 SoC, customer designs will benefit from class-leading levels of RF performance and ultra-low power consumption."

The BL600 module is available with with either an integrated antenna, an IPEX MHF4 antenna connector, or trade pads for an external antenna and has a compact footprint of 19 mm x 12.5 mm, making it suitable for even the smallest portable devices. A BL600 module can connect to a wide array of external sensors via its I2C, SPI, UART, ADC, and GPIO interfaces.

In addition to carrying FCC modular, IC, MIC and CE approvals, BL600 modules are fully qualified as Bluetooth End Products, enabling designers to integrate the modules in devices without the time and expense of recertification.

A low-cost developer’s kit including simple software tools makes it easy for an OEM to integrate the module and guarantees the fastest route to market.

For further information please visit http://www.alphamicro.net/franchises/laird-technologies/bl600.aspx 

Media Contact

Richenda Wood

Livewire PR

+44 (0) 20 8339 7440

Email: richenda.wood@livewirepr.com

About Alpha Micro Components 

Founded in 1995, Alpha Micro is a successful independent specialist franchised distributor of components for telematics and M2M. It is one of the companies pioneering the concept of “design based” distribution, using its in-house software and hardware capabilities as a platform to sell its franchised components. Alpha Micro’s design group offers a comprehensive technical support package ranging from application support, through to complete turnkey designs. The company services the machine to machine (M2M), telematics, medical, energy monitoring, security and automotive sectors with components from world leading manufacturers. The franchised line up includes EnOcean, FTDI, GainSpan, Lantronix, Laird Technologies and u-blox.– Alpha Micro has built an enviable reputation for product knowledge, customer service and innovation.  For further information please visit www.alphamicro.net

About Laird Technologies, Inc.

Laird Technologies is a global technology company focused on providing components and solutions that protect electronic devices from electromagnetic interference and heat, and that enable connectivity through wireless applications and antenna systems.

Custom products are supplied to all sectors of the electronics industry including the handset, telecommunications, data transfer and information technology, automotive, aerospace, defence, consumer, medical, mining, railroad and industrial markets.

Laird Technologies, a unit of Laird PLC, employs over 9,000 employees in more than 47 facilities located in 16 countries.

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