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STMicroelectronics BLUENRG-234
- Part No.:
- BLUENRG-234
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 34-XFBGA, WLCSP
- Datasheet:
-
BLUENRG-234.pdf
- Description:
- IC RF TXRX+MCU BLE 34WLCSP
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:12,125
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Product details
Overview
BLUENRG-234 from STMicroelectronics is a Bluetooth® LE 5.2 single-mode system-on-chip integrating an Arm® Cortex®-M0 32-bit 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 compact wearables and sensor nodes.
For engineers reviewing the BLUENRG-234 datasheet, BLUENRG-234 pinout, BLUENRG-234 application, or BLUENRG-234 equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-package support (VFQFPN32/VFQFPN48), integrated balun compatibility, BLE 5.2 feature set (LE Secure Connections, Data Length Extension, Link Layer Privacy), and verified operation across -40°C to +105°C industrial temperature range.
Technical Context
The BLUENRG-234 implements a tightly coupled BLE radio subsystem with hardware-accelerated AES-128 encryption, PKA for secure pairing, and a dedicated PDM stream processor for voice-enabled edge sensing. Its clock architecture supports 16 MHz or 32 MHz crystal oscillators (±50 ppm) with automatic fallback to internal RO during startup.
Power management includes dual regulation paths: a low-dropout linear regulator (LDO) and a step-down DC-DC converter optimized for sub-1 µA retention in standby/sleep modes. GPIO wake-up sources (IO9–IO13) are configurable via dedicated SYSTEM_CTRL registers with programmable pull, drive strength, and level sensitivity - critical for reliable ultra-low-power sensor polling.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| BLE Version | Bluetooth® Core Specification v5.2 - enables LE Data Length Extension (251-byte PDUs), LE Secure Connections, and Link Layer Privacy for robust, secure, long-range wireless links. |
| RF Output Power | +8 dBm at antenna connector - achieves extended range without external PA, reducing BOM cost and PCB footprint in space-constrained designs. |
| Sleep Current | 1 µA with active BLE stack - enables >3-year operation on CR2032 (230 mAh) at 1 s connection interval, validated per DS12166 Rev 10. |
| Memory | 256 KB flash + 24 KB SRAM (dual 12 KB banks with independent retention control) - supports complex firmware, GATT database, and over-the-air (OTA) updates without external memory. |
| Supply Voltage | 1.7 V to 3.6 V - compatible with single-cell Li-ion, Li-polymer, and coin-cell batteries without external voltage translation. |
| Operating Temp | -40°C to +105°C - qualified for industrial automation, building controls, and automotive cabin sensors where thermal resilience is mandatory. |
| ADC | 10-bit SAR ADC with integrated battery voltage and die temperature sensors - eliminates need for discrete monitoring components in battery-powered endpoints. |
Pinout & Package
BLUENRG-234 is available in VFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) and VFQFPN48 (7 × 7 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) packages. Pin functions are identical across both variants except for GPIO count (14/15 vs. 26) and I²C1 availability (absent in WLCSP34 variant, not used here).
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Digital supply input | 1.7–3.6 V main power rail; decoupling required per layout guidelines to maintain RF stability and low-noise analog performance. |
| VDDA | Analog supply input | Separate 1.7–3.6 V supply for ADC, RF front-end, and crystal oscillator - improves SNR and RF sensitivity when isolated from digital noise. |
| XTAL1 / XTAL2 | 16/32 MHz crystal oscillator terminals | Supports ±50 ppm accuracy crystals; mandatory for BLE radio timing compliance - internal RO provides boot-time clock until XO stabilizes. |
| SXTAL0 / SXTAL1 | 32 kHz crystal or external clock inputs | Enables precise RTC and low-power timer operation; optional external 32 kHz signal (0–1.2 V) accepted on SXTAL0 for systems without crystal. |
| ANT | RF antenna interface | 50 Ω matched RF output; requires external matching network or ST-compliant balun (e.g., SPBTLE-1S) for optimal +8 dBm radiated power. |
| IO9–IO13 | Configurable wake-up GPIOs | Programmable as high/low-level wake sources in sleep/standby; IO9–IO11 support internal pull and output drive during retention - critical for motion-triggered wake events. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| BLE 5.2 Stack Integration | Fully certified GAP/ATT/GATT/SM/L2CAP/Link Layer stack provided as object code - eliminates need for external host MCU in single-chip mode, reducing latency and BOM count. |
| DC-DC Converter + LDO Dual Regulation | Enables <1 µA retention current while maintaining full peripheral functionality - extends battery life beyond competitive SoCs relying solely on LDOs. |
| PDM Stream Processor | Hardware-accelerated digital microphone interface - offloads CPU from audio preprocessing, enabling always-on voice wake-up with <5 µA average current in listening mode. |
| Secure Cryptographic Engine | Dedicated PKA and AES-128 blocks reserved for BLE protocol stack - ensures secure pairing and encrypted data transport without consuming Cortex-M0 cycles or RAM. |
| Multi-Bank RAM Retention | Independent 12 KB SRAM banks allow selective retention during deep sleep - preserves sensor context and BLE connection state while powering down unused firmware modules. |
Applications
| Wearable Fitness Trackers | Smart Building Sensors |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Continuous heart rate and motion monitoring in wrist-worn devices powered by CR2032 or thin-film batteries. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Single-chip BLE SoC executing sensor fusion firmware, managing BLE advertising/connection, and performing real-time PDM microphone processing for voice commands. Use Value: 15.34 µA average advertisement current enables >1 year of operation on 230 mAh CR2032 - validated per DS12166 Rev 10 - eliminating frequent battery replacement in consumer wearables. |
Use Scenario: Battery-powered occupancy, temperature, and CO₂ sensors deployed in HVAC ducts and office ceilings. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Ultra-low-power endpoint node collecting environmental data, performing local threshold checks, and transmitting alerts via BLE mesh or direct connection to gateway. Use Value: -40°C to +105°C operating range and 7.059 µA average connection current ensure reliable 3+ year deployment in unconditioned environments without thermal derating or voltage boosters. |
| Medical Remote Monitors | Industrial Proximity Tags |
|
Use Scenario: Disposable glucose meters and blood pressure cuffs requiring FDA-compliant wireless data transmission to smartphones. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Certified BLE 5.2 radio with LE Secure Connections and encrypted ATT/GATT services - meets HIPAA and ISO 13485 data integrity requirements out-of-box. Use Value: Integrated battery voltage/temperature sensors enable automatic low-battery alerts and calibration compensation - reducing field failures and service calls in regulated medical devices. |
Use Scenario: Asset tracking tags mounted on forklifts, pallets, or machinery in warehouses with metal-rich EMI environments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: High-link-budget (+96 dB) BLE transceiver with accurate RSSI-based distance estimation and robust interference rejection in 2.4 GHz ISM band. Use Value: +8 dBm output power and hardware AES encryption ensure reliable short-range identification and tamper-proof location logging - even near motors, welders, or RF-heavy infrastructure. |
Equivalent & Alternatives
The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Bluetooth® LE SoC applications.
| Alternative Part | Technical Difference | Application Difference | Selection Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nordic nRF52833 | ARM Cortex-M4F core, 512 KB flash, 128 KB RAM; lacks integrated DC-DC converter - higher active current (4.8 mA TX @ 0 dBm) and no sub-1 µA retention mode. | Better suited for compute-intensive BLE Mesh or concurrent multiprotocol (Thread/Zigbee) use cases requiring floating-point math. | Select when firmware demands >256 KB flash or M4F DSP acceleration - not for CR2032-powered endpoints where BLUENRG-234's 1 µA sleep is decisive. |
| Texas Instruments CC2642R | ARM Cortex-M4F + dedicated Sensor Controller Engine; 352 KB flash, 80 KB RAM; uses external LDO only - typical sleep current 1.5 µA with BLE stack active. | Optimized for sensor hub applications with autonomous analog/digital peripheral control via Sensor Controller. | Prefer when integrating multiple heterogeneous sensors (e.g., MEMS mic + IMU + gas) with autonomous pre-processing - BLUENRG-234 excels in simpler, lower-cost, longer-life deployments. |
Compared with nRF52833 and CC2642R, BLUENRG-234 trades raw compute headroom for industry-leading ultralow-power efficiency - delivering 2× longer battery life in coin-cell applications while maintaining full BLE 5.2 compliance and ST's automotive-grade reliability.
Availability
BLUENRG-234 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for wearable fitness trackers, smart building environmental sensors, medical remote monitors, and industrial proximity tags requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.
Supply support for BLUENRG-234 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power ICs, sensors, and wireless SoCs for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.
The BlueNRG product line targets ultra-low-power Bluetooth® LE applications - specifically engineered to extend battery life in space-constrained, thermally demanding endpoints while maintaining full Bluetooth SIG certification and robust RF performance.
FAQ
Does BLUENRG-234 support over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates?
Yes, BLUENRG-234 supports secure OTA updates via its preprogrammed UART bootloader and integrated BLE stack. The 256 KB flash includes dedicated sectors for dual-bank firmware storage, enabling fail-safe updates with rollback capability. Application firmware must implement GATT-based DFU service using ST's BlueNRG SDK v4.x or later - no external programmer required after initial provisioning.
What crystal oscillator specifications are required for BLE radio compliance?
A 16 MHz or 32 MHz fundamental-mode crystal with ±50 ppm frequency tolerance, load capacitance matching the BLUENRG-234's XTAL1/XTAL2 drive strength (typically 8–12 pF), and ESR ≤ 40 Ω is mandatory. ST recommends NX3225GA series (16 MHz) or NX3225SA (32 MHz) crystals. External 32 kHz crystals must be 32.768 kHz ±20 ppm for RTC accuracy - ring oscillator mode sacrifices timing precision but enables crystal-free operation.
Can BLUENRG-234 operate as a network coprocessor with an external host MCU?
Yes, BLUENRG-234 supports network coprocessor mode via SPI interface. Dedicated firmware (BlueNRG-2 NCP image) runs the full BLE stack on-chip while exposing standardized HCI commands to the host. GATT profiles execute on the external MCU, reducing BLUENRG-234's RAM usage and enabling modular software architecture - validated with STM32, ESP32, and Nordic nRF52 host platforms using ST's BlueNRG-NPI driver library.
How is RF performance affected when using the integrated DC-DC converter versus LDO?
Using the DC-DC converter reduces active current by ~30% compared to LDO-only operation (e.g., 8.3 mA TX @ -2 dBm drops to ~5.8 mA), with no degradation in RF output power, link budget, or EVM. The converter maintains stable 1.2 V core supply under dynamic load - essential for consistent +8 dBm output and 96 dB link budget. LDO mode is reserved for EMI-sensitive applications where switching noise must be avoided, accepting higher current draw.
BLUENRG-234 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- BlueNRG
- Package/Case:
- 34-XFBGA, WLCSP
- 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:
- 14
- Voltage - Supply:
- 1.7V ~ 3.6V
- Current - Receiving:
- 7.7mA ~ 14.5mA
- Current - Transmitting:
- 6.6mA ~ 28.8mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 105°C
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 34-WLCSP (2.66x2.56)
BLUENRG-234 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BLUENRG-234 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BLUENRG-234 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-234 reliable?
The price and inventory of BLUENRG-234 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BLUENRG-234 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BLUENRG-234?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BLUENRG-234 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BLUENRG-234?
BLUENRG-234 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BLUENRG-234 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-234?
For technical support, including BLUENRG-234 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BLUENRG-234 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BLUENRG-234 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BLUENRG-234 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-234 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BLUENRG-234?
All BLUENRG-234 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BLUENRG-234, 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-234 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BLUENRG-234:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
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