Reducing the size and complexity of low-power wireless designs
Release of Bluetooth Module and Development Tools

Silicon Labs (Country Manager Baek Woon-dal) announced the launch of a highly integrated, pre-certified Bluetooth module that offers an optimal combination of small footprint, ease of use, and low-energy technology for short-range wireless applications.

The new Blue Gecko BGM113 module, based on Silicon Labs' Blue Gecko wireless system-on-chip (SoC) combined with energy-friendly Gecko MCU technology, provides a small form factor Bluetooth 4.1-compatible connectivity solution with 3dBm transmit power for applications that typically require a range of up to 50m.

The BGM113 module, supported by Silicon Labs’ excellent software development environment including an Energy Profiler tool for predicting battery life, is an ideal choice for space and energy-sensitive RF applications such as smartphone accessories, wearable sports and fitness products, wireless locks, and point-of-sale (PoS) devices.
The BGM113 module was created by integrating a 2.4 GHz Blue Gecko wireless SoC and a high-efficiency chip antenna into a single, easy-to-use, complete system. The BGM113 module features Silicon Labs' Bluetooth 4.1 compatible software stack and can be field-upgraded to Bluetooth 4.2 and above using device firmware upgrades.

The BGM113 module enables developers to focus solely on the end application without having to handle complex RF design or protocol decisions. As a pre-certified solution, the module minimizes the time, effort, and risk required for FCC/CE/IC certifications in North America and Europe, as well as for Japan and Korea.

The BGM113 module features footprint compatibility with Silicon Labs' entry-level BLE113 Bluetooth module. This compatibility enables customers to easily transition to ARM Cortex-M4 Bluetooth platforms with higher application throughput and lower power consumption, while also opening a path to upgrade to Bluetooth 4.2. Complementing Silicon Labs' larger-footprint, higher-output BGM111 module, the BGM113 module provides developers with the flexibility to design wireless solutions with the optimal combination of cost, size, and energy budget.

Silicon Labs' Blue Gecko modules and SoC products have similar functions and the same software and APIs (application programming interfaces). This compatibility enables the easy transition from module-based wireless designs to SoC-based designs with minimal bill of materials (BOM) costs and development effort while reusing all software.

“If form factor and ease of Bluetooth development are important, Silicon Labs’ new Blue Gecko module is the right choice for wireless applications,” said Riku Mettälä, Marketing Director for Module Products at Silicon Labs. “The pre-certified BGM113 module is supported by the industry-leading Simplicity Studio wireless development tool and provides an industry-standard compact footprint for low-energy Bluetooth applications where size, cost, and time to market are critical.”

The BGM113 module is supported by Silicon Labs’ Simplicity Studio™ development tool and the Wireless SDK (software development kit). Using the familiar Silicon Labs BGScript language, which is similar to BASIC, developers can rapidly design Bluetooth applications without an external MCU to execute application logic.

Application code can run on the BGM113 module, eliminating the need for an external MCU, thereby reducing system costs and board space and accelerating time-to-market. Simplicity Studio tools include an Energy Profiler to help developers optimize energy consumption and maximize battery life, and a Desktop Network Analyzer that displays all wireless network activity.