The FMLR-8x-x-STLx LoRa® IoT modules from Miromico operate a fully compatible Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0 stack using Semtech's 2.4 GHz SX1280 LoRa transceiver. No more BLE 5.0 devices are necessary for the solution. Track and trace, building automation, construction monitoring, mining, farming, telemetry, remote data logging, and many other IoT applications are among the applications that are being targeted.
Miromico offers a firmware platform that enables several wireless protocols, such as LoRa and BLE 5.0, to run on the same microcontroller. This platform is based on Semtech's LoRa 2.4 GHz technology. A potent new technology that combines both technologies in one wireless module. It enables IoT device commissioning, configuration, local data monitoring, or firmware updates utilizing mobile devices with iOS or Android operating systems, such as smartphones, tablets, auto navigation systems, or other mobile devices. It can run LoRa 2.4 GHz long-range applications anywhere in the world after the activation process. Standard IoT devices typically need to integrate separate, expensive BLE chipsets in order to connect to the mobile phones for such dual-protocol use-cases. These extra BLE chipsets are unnecessary following the initial configuration during deployment.
For developers implementing IoT technologies, having full BLE 5.0 compatibility as a firmware option for our SX1280-based 2.4 GHz LoRa modules and solutions is a game-changer, according to Marcel Wappler, CTO of Miromico. "Compared to hardware-based BLE solutions, it opens up new, innovative applications at extremely little additional expenses. The most crucial BLE peripheral role was our first priority for our customers, so we are thrilled that Avnet Silica is now stocking BLE-ready SX1280 modules and dev kits.”
According to Marco Giegerich, Director Business Development EMEA at Avnet Silica, "Miromico is a key partner for Avnet Silica, and now with the addition of BLE 5.0 support in the modules based on Semtech's LoRa® 2.4 GHz technology, further unique market opportunities are available."
Numerous alternatives are available for the FMLR-8x-x-STLx module family, including additional onboard flash memory to provide Over-the-Air (OTA) updates and local data buffering in situations where cloud connectivity is momentarily down. The modules support Semtech's meter-accurate, active-radar-based range and localization technology for both indoor and outdoor settings using Miro Edge 2.4 GHz LoRa gateways. The very reliable and bandwidth-efficient FLRC and (G)FSK are additional high-bitrate modulation schemes that are supported by BLE, which enables bi-directional communication with smartphones, tablets, and other devices. There are also optional low-power, high-precision temperature-compensated oscillators (TCXO) for radio and RTC. To assist quick prototyping and development, the firmware of the module, including the wireless stack, may be upgraded by SWD, UART Bootloader, or optional Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA).