NewsBlueNRG-2N: ST’s First Bluetooth 5 Network Processor, No MCU for Low-Power Systems

BlueNRG-2N: ST’s First Bluetooth 5 Network Processor, No MCU for Low-Power Systems

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We are introducing BlueNRG-2N, our initial Bluetooth 5 network cpu. Formerly the only ST Bluetooth network cpu was the Bluetooth 4.2 BlueNRG-MS. The BlueNRG-2N currently acts as its successor, opening the door to extra powerful applications running in low-power systems.

Because the microcontroller inside can offer as the key host, st offers Bluetooth SoCs like the BlueNRG-2. Or programmers require the MCU for an item of their overall application. The Nextent Tag fits its entire call mapping and also physical distancing app right into the BlueNRG-2’s Cortex-M0. Nevertheless, when designers needed an external MCU but were also extremely power-conscious, they would certainly select the BlueNRG-MS processor. When they would certainly call for a processor that would certainly support Bluetooth 5, the trouble arose. The BlueNRG-2N addresses that problem while also redefining the access, the safety and security, and also the performance of our Bluetooth system.
BlueNRG-2N: A More Accessible Platform Thanks to a Pre-Programmed Firmware Image

Feature-wise, the new BlueNRG-2N, and the BlueNRG-2 are the same. Designers can flash the STSW-BNRG2N-V320 onto an existing BlueNRG-2 and also use it as a BlueNRG-2N.

Generally, as soon as teams start to deal with their personalized layout, they undoubtedly need to program their BlueNRG-2. Consequently, we have an SDK and also other tools to help them. We decided to go one action better with the launch of our newest network coprocessor. The BlueNRG-2N will certainly come pre-programmed by ST with a qualified picture. Therefore, designers will certainly not need to set it, thus decreasing their time to market. Additionally, hackers will not have the ability to run a various microcode. Securing the Bluetooth module hence came to be greatly more simple as well as a lot more complete.
BlueNRG-2N: A More Efficient Platform Thanks to Data Length Extension for Faster Firmware Updates

Bluetooth 4.2 didn’t mainly target this usage instance. ST can bring an option to this problem with the BlueNRG-2N. Given that our latest gadget supplies the same features as the BlueNRG-2, the brand-new Bluetooth coprocessor sustains Data Length Extension.

On Bluetooth, the PDU’s Payload is generally 27 bytes with ATT Data accounting for 20 bytes. With DLE, developers can make use of a PDU Payload of up to 251 bytes because the ATT Data component can now hold 244 bytes.
BlueNRG-2N: A More Secure Platform Thanks to LE Privacy 1.2 and Randomized MAC Addresses

One more day-to-day use situation for the BlueNRG-MS was to match it with a smartphone or clever tool. Throughout this process, a Bluetooth gadget sends its MAC address. Given that BlueNRG-2N draws from BlueNRG-2, developers can take pleasure in privacy features that weren’t present on the BlueNRG-MS.

If designers utilize LE personal privacy, the advertising and marketing radio will certainly send a reconnection address, an arbitrary MAC address. It can utilize a cryptographic secret from the trusted module to obtain the actual MAC address out of the reconnection one as soon as the trusted gadget receives it. BlueNRG-2N, simply like BlueNRG-2, supports LE Privacy 1.2. This functionality enables the module to randomize the address utilizing a timer. Therefore, the network cpu creates a new arbitrary address regularly, therefore providing programmers a lot more control. Decrypting the reconnection address can also happen in the controller rather of the host MCU. Moving the computation to the controller thus conserves energy and also time.

Michal Pukala
Electronics and Telecommunications engineer with Electro-energetics Master degree graduation. Lightning designer experienced engineer. Currently working in IT industry.

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