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STMicroelectronics BLUENRG-232
- Part No.:
- BLUENRG-232
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
BLUENRG-232.pdf
- Description:
- IC RF TXRX+MCU BLE 32QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:31,441
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Product details
Overview
BLUENRG-232 from STMicroelectronics is a Bluetooth® LE 5.2 single-mode system-on-chip integrating an Arm® Cortex®-M0 core, 256 KB flash, 24 KB RAM with retention, and a high-efficiency DC-DC converter. It delivers +8 dBm RF output power, 96 dB link budget, and ultralow 1 µA sleep current with active BLE stack-enabling multi-year battery life in CR2032-powered wearables and sensors.
For engineers reviewing the BLUENRG-232 datasheet, BLUENRG-232 pinout, BLUENRG-232 application, or BLUENRG-232 equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-package support (VFQFPN32/VFQFPN48), integrated balun compatibility, BLE 5.2 secure connections, and verified advertisement current of 15.34 µA at 1 s interval-critical for energy-constrained edge nodes.
Technical Context
The BLUENRG-232 implements a tightly coupled BLE radio subsystem with hardware-accelerated AES-128 encryption, PKA for secure pairing, and a dedicated BLE controller interrupt (priority 6) managed by the NVIC. Its clock architecture supports 16/32 MHz XO (±50 ppm) for RF timing and a 32 kHz ring oscillator for low-power RTC operation-enabling precise timing control across sleep, standby, and active states.
Power management integrates both LDO and step-down DC-DC converters, with automatic state transitions between preactive, active, standby, and sleep modes. Wake-up sources include GPIO9–13 (configurable polarity), internal timers, and BLE radio events-with 200 µs wake-up latency at 3.0 V and 25 °C, validated per DS12166 Rev 10.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| BLE Version | Bluetooth® Core Specification 5.2 - enables LE Data Length Extension, Secure Connections, and Link Layer Privacy for robust, encrypted short-range wireless links. |
| Core Architecture | Arm® Cortex®-M0 32-bit RISC processor - provides full ARM toolchain compatibility and deterministic interrupt response for real-time sensor fusion and protocol handling. |
| Memory | 256 KB flash + 24 KB SRAM (dual 12 KB banks with independent retention) - supports over-the-air firmware updates and concurrent BLE stack + application execution without external memory. |
| RF Performance | +8 dBm output power and 96 dB link budget - ensures reliable 100+ m range in noisy industrial environments with minimal retransmissions. |
| Power Consumption | 1 µA sleep current (BLE stack active), 8.3 mA TX @ –2 dBm - enables >3-year CR2032 battery life in connection mode (1 s interval, 230 mAh). |
| Supply Voltage | 1.7 V to 3.6 V - compatible with single-cell Li-ion, Li-polymer, and coin-cell batteries without external regulation. |
| Operating Temp | –40°C to +105°C - qualified for automotive cabin modules, smart building sensors, and industrial gateways. |
Pinout & Package
BLUENRG-232 is available in VFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) and VFQFPN48 (7 × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) packages. Pin functions are validated per DS12166 Rev 10 schematic and layout guidelines.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Digital power supply | 1.7–3.6 V input for core, peripherals, and BLE radio; requires local 100 nF decoupling per supply pin. |
| VBAT | Battery voltage sensing input | ADC channel for monitoring battery level without external divider; internally scaled to 0–1.8 V range. |
| XTAL1/XTAL2 | 16/32 MHz crystal oscillator terminals | Drive external crystal for RF timing accuracy (±50 ppm); mandatory for BLE compliance and packet integrity. |
| SXTAL0/SXTAL1 | 32 kHz crystal or oscillator inputs | Supports external 32.768 kHz crystal or buffered clock source for RTC and low-power timer synchronization. |
| GPIO9–GPIO13 | Configurable wake-up I/Os | Programmable as high/low-level wake sources in sleep/standby; GPIO9–11 support internal pull and output drive during retention. |
| RX/TX | UART interface pins | Used for bootloader programming and host MCU communication; supports baud rates up to 1 Mbps with hardware flow control. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated DC-DC converter | Reduces average system current by >30% vs. LDO-only operation-critical for extending battery life in always-on sensor nodes. |
| PDM stream processor | Offloads microphone audio preprocessing from Cortex-M0, enabling low-latency voice trigger detection without CPU intervention. |
| Hardware RNG & PKA | Accelerates BLE pairing and secure connection setup using true random number generation and public-key cryptography-no software entropy bottlenecks. |
| Dual-retention RAM banks | Allows one 12 KB bank to remain powered during deep sleep while the other powers down-enabling fast context restore and persistent state storage. |
| Battery & temperature sensors | On-die analog monitors eliminate need for external components in battery-powered devices, reducing BOM cost and PCB area. |
Applications
| Wearable Health Monitors | Smart Building Sensors |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Continuous heart rate and SpO₂ monitoring in wrist-worn fitness trackers. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Single-chip BLE SoC running proprietary sensor fusion algorithm and BLE GATT server with accurate 32 kHz RTC for timestamped data logging. Use Value: 15.34 µA average advertisement current enables >1.7 years of operation on CR2032-eliminating user-replaceable battery service intervals. |
Use Scenario: Wireless occupancy and ambient light sensing in HVAC-controlled office zones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Edge node executing motion-triggered BLE advertising and periodic environmental sampling using integrated ADC and temperature sensor. Use Value: 96 dB link budget ensures reliable 30+ m line-of-sight transmission through drywall partitions, reducing gateway density requirements. |
| Industrial Proximity Tags | Medical Remote Controllers |
|
Use Scenario: Asset tracking tags mounted on metal machinery in factory floors. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: BLE broadcaster with configurable advertising interval and RSSI-based proximity estimation using hardware-accelerated signal processing. Use Value: +8 dBm output power and integrated balun compatibility overcome metal-induced RF attenuation-maintaining connection stability near conductive surfaces. |
Use Scenario: Disposable BLE remote for insulin pump configuration and dose confirmation. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Secure BLE peripheral implementing LE Secure Connections and signed firmware updates via UART bootloader. Use Value: Hardware AES-128 and PKA ensure cryptographic operations complete within <10 ms-meeting medical device timing safety requirements. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Bluetooth® LE SoC applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| nRF52833 | 2.4 GHz multiprotocol (BLE 5.3, Thread, Zigbee); 512 KB flash, 128 KB RAM; no integrated DC-DC | Requires external DC-DC for ultra-low-power operation; broader protocol support but higher BOM cost and layout complexity | Select when multi-protocol flexibility or larger memory footprint is required; not drop-in due to different power architecture and pinout. |
| CC2642R | BLE 5.0 + IEEE 802.15.4; 352 KB flash, 80 KB RAM; integrated RF balun; lower max TX power (+5 dBm) | Limited to BLE 5.0 and Sub-1 GHz coexistence; superior RF filtering but reduced link budget vs. BLUENRG-232's 96 dB | Prefer for TI ecosystem integration or dual-band designs; avoid if BLE 5.2 features (e.g., LE Audio prep) or +8 dBm output are mandatory. |
Compared with nRF52833 and CC2642R, BLUENRG-232 offers the lowest verified sleep current (1 µA with active stack), native BLE 5.2 certification, and integrated DC-DC-making it optimal for long-life, cost-sensitive, single-protocol edge sensors where RF link margin and battery longevity are primary constraints.
Availability
BLUENRG-232 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable health monitors, smart building sensors, industrial proximity tags, and medical remote controllers requiring stable component supply and long-term lifecycle support.
Supply support for BLUENRG-232 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.
Manufacturer
STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, specializing in microcontrollers, power management, and wireless connectivity solutions for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The BlueNRG product line targets ultra-low-power Bluetooth® LE applications-from disposable medical sensors to battery-operated industrial IoT nodes-emphasizing RF reliability, energy efficiency, and seamless integration with ST's ecosystem tools.
FAQ
What package options are available for BLUENRG-232?
BLUENRG-232 is offered in VFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm, 32-pin) and VFQFPN48 (7 × 7 mm, 48-pin) packages, both with 0.5 mm pitch. The WLCSP34 variant is not applicable to this part number-only the two QFN options are valid and documented in DS12166 Rev 10. Layout guidelines, thermal pads, and solder mask specifications are provided in ST's AN5053 application note.
Does BLUENRG-232 support over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates?
Yes, BLUENRG-232 supports secure OTA firmware updates via its embedded BLE stack and preprogrammed UART bootloader. The 256 KB flash is partitioned to reserve space for dual-bank operation, enabling fail-safe update rollback. ST's BlueNRG SDK v4.x provides certified GATT services and DFU profiles compliant with Bluetooth SIG requirements.
How is the 1 µA sleep current achieved with active BLE stack?
This value is measured with the BLE stack fully resident in RAM, RF transceiver powered down, Cortex-M0 halted, and only the 32 kHz oscillator and 12 KB retention RAM bank active. The DC-DC converter remains enabled in low-power mode, and GPIO9–13 are configured as wake sources per DS12166 Section 3.4.1.4-verified under 3.0 V, 25 °C conditions.
Can BLUENRG-232 operate without an external crystal?
No-external 16 MHz or 32 MHz crystal is mandatory for BLE RF compliance. While the chip includes a 16 MHz RO for startup, the ±50 ppm frequency tolerance requirement for BLE 5.2 packet timing can only be met with an external XO. The 32 kHz crystal or ring oscillator may be omitted if only basic RTC functionality is needed.
BLUENRG-232 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- BlueNRG
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Tape & Reel (TR)
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Type:
- TxRx + MCU
- RF Family/Standard:
- Bluetooth
- Protocol:
- Bluetooth v5.0
- Modulation:
- GFSK
- Frequency:
- 2.4GHz
- Data Rate (Max):
- 1Mbps
- Power - Output:
- 8dBm
- Sensitivity:
- -88dBm
- Memory Size:
- 256kB Flash, 24kB RAM
- Serial Interfaces:
- I2C, SPI, UART
- GPIO:
- 15
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.7V ~ 3.6V
- Current - Receiving:
- 14.5mA
- Current - Transmitting:
- 14mA ~ 28mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 105°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-QFN (5x5)
BLUENRG-232 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BLUENRG-232 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BLUENRG-232 on Aetrix. Our sales agent will provide a competitive quotation and guide you through the order confirmation once you accept the terms.
2.Are the price and stock information for BLUENRG-232 reliable?
The price and inventory of BLUENRG-232 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BLUENRG-232 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BLUENRG-232?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BLUENRG-232 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BLUENRG-232?
BLUENRG-232 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BLUENRG-232 order is processed, you will receive an email with the shipment details and tracking number.
Note: Tracking information may take up to 24 hours to appear. Express delivery typically takes 3–5 business days.
5.How can I obtain technical support or documentation for BLUENRG-232?
For technical support, including BLUENRG-232 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BLUENRG-232 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BLUENRG-232 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BLUENRG-232 products on Aetrix are procured from qualified distributors and authorized channels. Our dedicated quality assurance team conducts strict verification, including traceability checks and, if necessary, third-party testing. This ensures that BLUENRG-232 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BLUENRG-232?
All BLUENRG-232 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BLUENRG-232, returns or replacements are accepted under the following conditions:
1.Quantity discrepancies, incorrect items, or visible external defects (such as breakage or corrosion), acknowledged by Aetrix.
2.The issue is reported within 90 days of delivery.
3.The BLUENRG-232 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BLUENRG-232:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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