Renesas DA14681-01A9DB-P

Overview

DA14681-01A9DB-P from Dialog Semiconductor is a Bluetooth 4.2-compliant, ultra-low-power SoC featuring an ARM Cortex-M0 processor (up to 96 MHz, 84 DMIPS), integrated PMU with Li-ion/Li-Po battery charger and fuel gauge, hardware crypto engine (AES-256, SHA-512, ECC), and RF performance of –93 dBm sensitivity / 0 dBm output. It targets compact rechargeable wearables and IoT edge nodes.

For engineers reviewing the DA14681-01A9DB-P datasheet, DA14681-01A9DB-P pinout, DA14681-01A9DB-P application, or DA14681-01A9DB-P equivalent, key selection criteria include WL-CSP53 footprint (3.4 × 3.0 mm), 21 GPIOs, 64 kB OTP + 128 kB SRAM memory architecture, USB FS device interface, and coexistence support for multi-radio systems.

Technical Context

The DA14681-01A9DB-P implements a tightly coupled system-on-chip architecture where the ARM Cortex-M0 core operates at dynamically scalable frequencies (32 kHz–96 MHz) with 30 μA/MHz active power efficiency and 4-way associative 16 kB cache. Its RF subsystem integrates a balun and 50 Ω single-wire antenna interface, achieving a 93 dB link budget.

Power management is centralized in the on-die PMU, supporting three external supply rails, programmable USB charge detection/protection, and high-accuracy fuel gauging for Li-ion/Li-Polymer cells. The hardware crypto engine offloads AES-256, SHA-512, and ECC operations independently of the CPU.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

DA14681-01A9DB-P is packaged in a WL-CSP53 (3.4 × 3.0 mm, 0.4 mm pitch) wafer-level chip-scale package with 21 configurable GPIOs and dedicated power/ground terminals. Pin functions are defined per the official DA14681 datasheet revision 1.1, Table 3-1.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Bluetooth low energy SoC applications.

Compared with Nordic nRF52833 DK and TI CC2642R, DA14681-01A9DB-P delivers superior integration for compact, battery-constrained wearables-combining fuel gauge, USB charge protection, hardware crypto, and WL-CSP53 packaging in one die, reducing total BOM count and PCB area by ≥30%.

Availability

DA14681-01A9DB-P is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for fitness trackers, smart remote controls, and rechargeable wireless keyboards requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and validated production-grade firmware toolchains.

Supply support for DA14681-01A9DB-P 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

Dialog Semiconductor plc is a UK-based fabless semiconductor company specializing in highly integrated power management, audio, and connectivity ICs for mobile, IoT, and automotive markets.

The SmartBond™ DA1468x product line was designed specifically for ultra-low-power, space-constrained Bluetooth 4.2 applications in wearables and battery-operated IoT endpoints-emphasizing integrated PMU, hardware security, and minimal footprint.

FAQ

What is the package type and pin count of DA14681-01A9DB-P?

DA14681-01A9DB-P uses a WL-CSP53 package measuring 3.4 × 3.0 mm with 53 solder bumps, of which 21 are functional GPIOs. The remaining terminals serve power, ground, RF, and USB functions. This package enables direct chip-on-board assembly and minimizes PCB real estate in compact wearables.

Does DA14681-01A9DB-P support over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates?

Yes, DA14681-01A9DB-P supports OTA updates via its Bluetooth 4.2 stack and integrated USB Full Speed interface. Firmware images can be delivered securely using the hardware crypto engine (AES-256) and stored in internal OTP or external Flash. Dialog's SmartSnippets Studio provides certified OTA update frameworks compatible with DA14681-01A9DB-P.

Can DA14681-01A9DB-P directly charge a Li-Po battery from USB?

Yes, DA14681-01A9DB-P integrates a USB-aware battery charger supporting 5.0 V input with programmable charge curves, USB voltage detection, and overvoltage/overcurrent protection. It natively manages single-cell Li-Po and Li-ion batteries, eliminating the need for external charging ICs in designs like smartwatches and trackers.

What RF performance metrics does DA14681-01A9DB-P achieve?

DA14681-01A9DB-P achieves –93 dBm RX sensitivity and 0 dBm TX output power, resulting in a 93 dB link budget-the highest in its class at time of release. Its integrated balun and 50 Ω single-wire antenna interface eliminate external matching components while maintaining robust BLE connectivity in noisy environments.

Is hardware cryptographic acceleration available on DA14681-01A9DB-P?

Yes, DA14681-01A9DB-P includes a dedicated hardware crypto engine supporting AES-256 encryption/decryption, SHA-512 hashing, ECC key generation and signing, and true random number generation. This enables banking-grade end-to-end data protection without taxing the ARM Cortex-M0 core or increasing active power consumption.