Microchip Releases Demonstration Platform Based on Industry’s Lowest Power BLE Sensor Node for IoT Applications

Low power, smaller form factor and quick time to market are critical factors to making the billions of ‘smart’ and ‘connected’ things a reality in the rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT) market. Microchip’s complete BLE sensor node demonstration platform integrates all these critical factors. For designs requiring low power and smaller form factors, the kit integrates the BTLC1000-MR110CA BLE module which utilizes the world’s lowest-power and smallest BLE solution, delivering at least 30 percent more power savings compared to existing solutions and packaged in an ultra-tiny 2.2 mm × 2.1 mm Wafer Level Chipscale Package (WLCP). The platform also includes the SAM L21 that achieves a ULPBench™ score of 185, the highest recorded score for any Cortex-M0+ while running the EEMBC® ULPBench, with power consumption down to 35 µA/MHz in active mode and 200 nA in sleep mode. By using these components, it is possible to increase battery life up to 4X longer than current solutions on the market. The kit also includes the latest-generation Bosch 6-axis motion (BHI160) and environment (BME280) sensorsthat can be used for a wide variety of sensing applications. The BLE demonstration platform is an out-of-the-box solution that comes complete with source code, hardware design files, user guide and Android™ application source code that enable designers to bring their products to market faster.

“Microchip is continuing to release new innovative tools to enable more IoT developers to get their differentiated products to market, faster,” said Rod Drake, vice president of Microchip’s 32-bit MCU business unit. “This new demonstration platform not only triggers an opportunity to inspire more IoT developers to design next-generation products, the platform also highlights innovative ways of integrating sensor technology with a low-power MCU and connectivity for applications running on traditional coin cell batteries.”

“Microchip’s new BLE sensor node platform provides an excellent demo for sensing systems in next-generation IoT applications,” said Jeanne Forget, vice president Marketing, Bosch Sensortec. “With the latest applications in personal health and fitness, indoor navigation, wearables, gaming, context awareness and augmented reality, sensors are required for a more immersive experience, and our sensors enable this experience for tomorrow’s applications.”

Availability and Pricing

The Ultra-Low-Power Connected Demonstrator Platform is available today. Recommended end user price is $39.00 USD and can be purchased at: www.atmel.com/tools/ATULPC-DEMO.aspx.