STMicroelectronics BLUENRG-332VT

Overview

BLUENRG-332VT from STMicroelectronics is a programmable Bluetooth® Low Energy 5.3 System-on-Chip integrating an Arm® Cortex®-M0+ core (64 MHz), 192 KB flash, 24 KB RAM, and a dedicated BlueNRG radio coprocessor. It delivers -104 dBm RX sensitivity at 125 kbps (Coded PHY), +8 dBm programmable TX output, and supports AoA/AoD direction finding, LE power control, and periodic advertising sync transfer - deployed in industrial asset tracking and medical wearables requiring long battery life and BLE Mesh interoperability.

For engineers reviewing the BLUENRG-332VT datasheet, BLUENRG-332VT pinout, BLUENRG-332VT application, or BLUENRG-332VT equivalent, key selection criteria include its dual-mode operation (standalone SoC or network processor), ultra-low 0.8 µA DEEPSTOP current with RTC/LPUART wake-up, 20 I/Os with 5 V tolerance and state retention, and hardware-accelerated ECC/RSA/PKA security up to 3136-bit modulo size.

Technical Context

The BLUENRG-332VT implements a partitioned BLE stack architecture: time-critical PHY/MAC layers handled by the BlueNRG core coprocessor (DMA-based), while higher-layer GATT, L2CAP, and security operations run on the Cortex-M0+. Its RF subsystem uses a low-IF receiver with AGC and direct-modulation TX, supporting simultaneous master/slave roles and Coded PHY for extended range.

Power management integrates an SMPS step-down converter (1.2–1.9 V output), dual LDOs (MLDO/LPREG), and three voltage domains (VDD33/VDD12O/VDD12I) enabling precise domain gating. The device supports full context retention in DEEPSTOP mode with configurable SRAM0/SRAM1 retention, GPIO state hold, and wake-up via LPUART, RTC, or any of 20 GPIOs.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

BLUENRG-332VT is offered in WLCSP36 (2.652 × 2.592 mm) package, optimized for space-constrained wearables and medical patches. All 20 GPIOs support wake-up, state retention, and 5 V tolerance; RF pins include integrated balun and VSSRF ground connection.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Bluetooth Low Energy SoC applications.

Compared with nRF52840 and CC2642R, BLUENRG-332VT offers superior RF range via Coded PHY, hardware AoA timing capture, and industry-leading security acceleration - making it optimal for certified medical and industrial BLE Mesh deployments where range, precision, and cryptographic compliance are non-negotiable.

Availability

BLUENRG-332VT is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial asset tracking, medical wearables, smart lighting control, and home automation hubs requiring stable component supply across multi-year production cycles.

Supply support for BLUENRG-332VT 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, designing and manufacturing microcontrollers, power management ICs, MEMS, and wireless SoCs for industrial, automotive, and consumer markets.

The BlueNRG-LPS product line targets ultra-low-power, high-security BLE applications - specifically engineered for battery-operated industrial sensors, certified medical devices, and BLE Mesh infrastructure where RF reliability and cryptographic agility are critical.

FAQ

What is the maximum supported BLE connection count and how is it managed?

The BLUENRG-332VT supports up to 128 physical connections via hardware-assisted connection management in the BlueNRG coprocessor. Connection state is maintained in dedicated RF memory, freeing the Cortex-M0+ from protocol timing constraints. Each connection consumes configurable RAM resources, with typical implementations sustaining 32 concurrent links while retaining 16 KB SRAM for application use.

Does BLUENRG-332VT require an external crystal for BLE operation?

Yes - a 32 MHz HSE crystal is required for BLE radio timing accuracy and certification compliance (ETSI/FCC). The device integrates trimming capacitors, eliminating external load caps. A 32 kHz LSE crystal is optional but recommended for RTC and DEEPSTOP wake-up stability; internal LSI can substitute at reduced accuracy (±500 ppm).

How is flash memory protected against unauthorized readout?

Flash protection is enforced via hardware write/read lock bits per 2 KB page, configurable through the option bytes. Once enabled, readout via SWD or bootloader is blocked permanently. Additionally, SWD debug access can be disabled independently via OTP fuse, preventing JTAG enumeration even if flash locks are bypassed - meeting IEC 62443-3-3 SL2 requirements.

Can BLUENRG-332VT operate without the integrated SMPS?

Yes - the SMPS can be bypassed by connecting its output directly to VDDIO, allowing operation solely from the MLDO linear regulator. This simplifies BOM for low-current applications (<10 mA average) but increases power consumption by ~30% at 3.3 V supply; SMPS re-enables automatically when VDDIO exceeds 2.2 V and efficiency-critical modes are entered.