System designers are faced with many barriers when adding Bluetooth functionality to their products, from skill and resource limitations to budget constraints to time-to-market pressures to challenging performance and integration requirements and these new additions, which include the RF-ready WBZ350 module and the PIC32CX-BZ3 SoC that offers the lowest entry point available for integrating a Bluetooth Low Energy microcontroller (MCU) into product designs, are intended to simplify the design process.
“The power of choice is increasingly critical when adding Bluetooth to any type of product. Developers need options and the ability to switch between them as their skills and application needs evolve,” said Rishi Vasuki, vice president of Microchip’s wireless solutions business unit. “Our Bluetooth Low Energy product is as easy to use as our plug-and-play modules and provides the same breadth of choices for more advanced designs.”
In addition to its Bluetooth MCUs, Microchip has also introduced the RNBD350 plug-and-play module that reduces the cost and complexity associated with adding Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity to product designs.
These modules are intended to reduce the time, money and engineering resources required for RF design optimisation, regulatory certification and software development. For more experienced engineers who are looking for more flexibility, Microchip can also offer more robust wireless, multi-protocol MCU System-on-Chip (SoC) options.
Sample applications for Microchip’s Bluetooth Low Energy parts include IoT smart home and building systems, Industrial IoT (IIoT) solutions and automotive designs.
Designers using the newly expanded Bluetooth Low Energy portfolio for entry-level applications also benefit from an easy development process, including in-house support services and development tools, without compromising Bluetooth functionality.
They will also benefit from Microchip’s MCU expertise for product selection assistance and the opportunity to switch to more advanced industrial-grade Bluetooth Low Energy options when they are ready to address more sophisticated design challenges.
Developers can also access Microchip’s expanding wireless portfolio for end-to-end solutions which offers a range of products in popular wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread and sub-GHz that are designed to work seamlessly with the Bluetooth portfolio.
Microchip supports customers with a comprehensive offering of developments tools, software and mobile app source code for iOS and Android platforms, building block modules application examples and demos, along with free design check services, to jumpstart product development.
