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STMicroelectronics BLUENRG-248
- Part No.:
- BLUENRG-248
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 48-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
BLUENRG-248.pdf
- Description:
- IC RF TXRX+MCU BLE 48QFN
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:26,059
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Product details
Overview
BLUENRG-248 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 (dual-bank 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-248 datasheet, BLUENRG-248 pinout, BLUENRG-248 application, or BLUENRG-248 equivalent, this device supports dual operating modes (single-chip application + BLE stack or network coprocessor), features integrated battery/temperature sensing, PDM stream processing, and compliance with ETSI EN 300 328, FCC Part 15, and ARIB STD-T66 radio regulations.
Technical Context
The BLUENRG-248 implements a tightly coupled BLE 5.2 protocol stack with support for LE Secure Connections, Link Layer privacy, and data packet length extension. Its architecture separates real-time BLE radio control (dedicated hardware accelerator) from user application execution on the Cortex-M0 core, enabling concurrent low-latency radio operations and firmware logic.
Power management integrates both LDO and DC-DC converters, with dynamic clock gating across AHB/APB peripherals including UART, SPI, dual I²C, two multifunction timers, ADC, RTC, and watchdog. The 32 kHz crystal oscillator (±50 ppm) and 16/32 MHz XO provide timing accuracy required for BLE advertising and connection intervals.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| BLE Version | Bluetooth® Core Specification v5.2 - enables LE Data Length Extension, Secure Connections, and Link Layer Privacy for robust, encrypted short-range wireless links. |
| CPU Core | Arm® Cortex®-M0 @ up to 32 MHz - provides deterministic real-time execution of user firmware alongside BLE stack, compatible with standard ARM toolchains. |
| Memory | 256 KB flash + 24 KB SRAM (two 12 KB banks with independent retention) - supports field-upgradable applications and low-power state preservation without full wake-up. |
| RF Performance | +8 dBm max output power, 96 dB link budget, and -93 dBm sensitivity - ensures reliable connectivity at >100 m range in typical indoor environments. |
| Power Consumption | 1 µA in sleep mode with active BLE stack; 15.34 µA avg. advertisement current (1 s interval); 7.06 µA avg. connection current (1 s interval) - enables >3-year CR2032 battery life. |
| Analog Peripherals | 10-bit ADC with integrated battery voltage and temperature sensors; PDM stream processor - eliminates external signal conditioning for sensor fusion in wearables. |
| Package Options | VFQFPN32 (5 × 5 mm), VFQFPN48 (7 × 7 mm), WLCSP34 (2.57 × 2.57 mm) - supports space-constrained designs including smart watches and medical patches. |
Pinout & Package
BLUENRG-248 is available in three package variants: VFQFPN32 (32-pin, 5 × 5 mm), VFQFPN48 (48-pin, 7 × 7 mm), and WLCSP34 (34-ball, 2.57 × 2.57 mm). Pin functions vary by package; the VFQFPN48 variant provides full peripheral access including dual I²C, UART, SPI, 26 GPIOs, and dedicated RF matching pins.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VDD | Digital supply input | 1.7–3.6 V main power rail; powers digital core, memory, and peripherals; decoupling required per datasheet layout guidelines. |
| VDD_RF | RF supply input | Separate 1.7–3.6 V supply for RF transceiver; improves isolation and reduces noise coupling into sensitive analog front-end. |
| SXTAL0 / SXTAL1 | 32 kHz crystal oscillator terminals | Connects external 32.768 kHz crystal for precise BLE timing; internal load capacitors configurable via registers. |
| HSE_XIN / HSE_XOUT | High-speed crystal oscillator terminals | Supports 16 MHz or 32 MHz crystal for RF and CPU clocking; ±50 ppm tolerance required for BLE compliance. |
| ANT | RF antenna interface | 50 Ω matched RF output port; requires external balun/filter (e.g., ST's BALF-NRG-02D3) for impedance matching and harmonics suppression. |
| GPIO0–GPIO25 | General-purpose I/O | Configurable as digital input/output, interrupt source, or peripheral alternate function; IO9–IO13 support wake-up from sleep/standby modes. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| BLE 5.2 Stack Integration | Fully certified object-code stack supporting GAP central/peripheral/broadcaster/observer roles, GATT client/server, SM privacy/authentication, and AES-128 encryption - no external host required for standalone operation. |
| Dual-Mode Operation | Configurable as single-chip SoC (application + BLE stack) or network coprocessor (BLE stack only, interfaced via SPI/UART to external MCU) - enables flexible system partitioning and legacy integration. |
| Ultra-Low-Power Architecture | DC-DC converter + selective clock gating + dual-bank RAM retention + 200 µs wake-up time - minimizes energy per BLE event and extends battery life beyond 3 years on CR2032. |
| Integrated Sensor Interface | Battery voltage and die temperature sensors + 10-bit ADC + PDM stream processor - enables self-monitoring and audio-capable edge processing without external components. |
| Regulatory Compliance Ready | Pre-qualified for ETSI EN 300 328, EN 300 440, FCC CFR47 Part 15, and ARIB STD-T66 - reduces certification effort for end products targeting global markets. |
Applications
| Smart Watches | Fitness Trackers |
|---|---|
|
Use Scenario: Compact wrist-worn devices requiring continuous heart rate monitoring, step counting, and smartphone notifications over BLE. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary SoC managing sensor acquisition, real-time firmware logic, and BLE 5.2 advertising/connection - synchronized to 32 kHz RTC and 32 MHz CPU clock. Use Value: Dual-bank RAM retention preserves sensor context during deep sleep; 1 µA sleep current enables >2-year operation on 100 mAh coin cell. |
Use Scenario: Lightweight wearable bands tracking motion, sleep quality, and SpO₂ using optical sensors and BLE streaming. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Integrated BLE SoC executing motion algorithm firmware while maintaining low-latency connection to mobile app - leveraging PDM processor for microphone input. Use Value: On-chip 10-bit ADC and temperature sensor eliminate discrete signal chain; average 7.06 µA connection current supports multi-day logging on small LiPo cells. |
| Wireless Medical Sensors | Industrial Proximity Tags |
|
Use Scenario: Disposable or reusable patient monitors measuring body temperature, glucose, or ECG signals with secure BLE transmission. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Certified BLE 5.2 SoC implementing LE Secure Connections and Link Layer privacy - ensuring HIPAA-compliant data integrity and confidentiality. Use Value: Integrated battery voltage monitoring enables predictive low-battery alerts; +8 dBm output ensures reliable link through clothing and body tissue attenuation. |
Use Scenario: Battery-powered asset tags detecting presence, orientation, or tampering in factory or warehouse environments. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Low-power BLE beacon SoC broadcasting encrypted UID and sensor status - using 32 kHz ring oscillator for ultra-low-power periodic wake-up. Use Value: 15.34 µA average advertisement current extends tag lifetime to >1 year on 230 mAh CR2032; GPIO wake-up sources enable event-triggered transmission. |
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, native USB support, higher peak current (4.8 mA TX @ 0 dBm) | Better suited for complex sensor fusion or OTA DFU-heavy applications; lacks integrated DC-DC converter in base configuration | Select when floating-point math, larger code footprint, or USB-CDC bridging is required - accept higher BOM cost and power overhead. |
| Texas Instruments CC2642R | ARM Cortex-M4F + dedicated sensor controller, 352 KB flash, 80 KB RAM, integrated RF balun, lower sleep current (0.9 µA) | Superior for always-on sensor node applications with autonomous analog processing; requires external crystal for full BLE 5.2 feature set | Choose for ultra-low-power industrial sensor networks needing sub-µA sleep and autonomous analog trigger - trade off ST's integrated BLE stack maturity. |
Compared with nRF52833 and CC2642R, BLUENRG-248 offers tighter integration of BLE 5.2 stack, lower system-level BOM count (integrated DC-DC, balun-compatible RF path), and optimized power profile for intermittent sensor reporting - making it ideal for cost-sensitive, long-life consumer wearables.
Availability
BLUENRG-248 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for smart watches, fitness trackers, wireless medical sensors, and industrial proximity tags requiring stable component supply, regulatory-ready RF performance, and multi-year battery operation.
Supply support for BLUENRG-248 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, sensors, power ICs, and wireless SoCs for industrial, automotive, and consumer applications.
BLUENRG-248 belongs to ST's BlueNRG ultra-low-power Bluetooth® LE SoC product line, engineered specifically for battery-operated IoT endpoints where RF reliability, firmware flexibility, and multi-year runtime are critical design constraints.
FAQ
What package variants are available for BLUENRG-248 and how do they differ in peripheral access?
BLUENRG-248 is offered in VFQFPN32 (32-pin), VFQFPN48 (48-pin), and WLCSP34 (34-ball) packages. VFQFPN48 provides full peripheral access including dual I²C interfaces, 26 GPIOs, and dedicated RF matching pins. VFQFPN32 supports 14–15 GPIOs and single I²C, while WLCSP34 omits I²C1 and limits GPIOs to 14 - all share identical core functionality and RF performance.
Does BLUENRG-248 require external components for Bluetooth® LE certification?
Yes - BLUENRG-248 requires an external balun/filter (e.g., ST's BALF-NRG-02D3) between the ANT pin and antenna to meet harmonic emission limits per FCC/ETSI. A 32.768 kHz crystal is mandatory for BLE timing accuracy, and 16/32 MHz crystals are required for RF operation. The integrated DC-DC converter eliminates need for external buck regulator.
How does the dual-bank RAM architecture improve power efficiency in BLUENRG-248?
The 24 KB RAM is split into two independent 12 KB banks, each with individual retention control. During sleep mode, one bank can retain firmware context while the other is powered down - reducing leakage current. This enables fast wake-up with partial state restoration, cutting energy per BLE event by up to 30% compared to single-bank retention schemes.
Can BLUENRG-248 operate as both a standalone application processor and a BLE network coprocessor?
Yes - BLUENRG-248 supports two distinct configurations: (1) Single-chip mode, where the Cortex-M0 runs both user application and BLE stack as linked object code; (2) Network coprocessor mode, where BLE stack runs autonomously and communicates with an external host MCU via UART or SPI using standardized ACI commands - enabling reuse of legacy host firmware.
BLUENRG-248 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- STMicroelectronics
- Series:
- BlueNRG
- Package/Case:
- 48-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):
- 2Mbps
- Power - Output:
- 10dBm
- Sensitivity:
- -88dBm
- Memory Size:
- 256kB Flash, 24kB RAM
- Serial Interfaces:
- I2C, SPI, UART
- GPIO:
- 15
- 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:
- 48-QFN (6x6)
BLUENRG-248 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for BLUENRG-248 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for BLUENRG-248 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-248 reliable?
The price and inventory of BLUENRG-248 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for BLUENRG-248 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for BLUENRG-248?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for BLUENRG-248 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for BLUENRG-248?
BLUENRG-248 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your BLUENRG-248 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-248?
For technical support, including BLUENRG-248 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your BLUENRG-248 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that BLUENRG-248 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All BLUENRG-248 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-248 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of BLUENRG-248?
All BLUENRG-248 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with BLUENRG-248, 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-248 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for BLUENRG-248:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
BLUENRG-248 Tags
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ESP8266EX
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ESP32-S3
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NRF24L01P-T
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