My Inquiry
My Account
NXP Semiconductors QN9021/D518
- Part No.:
- QN9021/D518
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Category:
- RF Transceiver ICs
- Package:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Datasheet:
-
QN9021/D518.pdf
- Description:
- ULTRA LOW POWER BLUETOOTH LE SYS
- Quantity:
- Payment:
- Shipping:
Inventory:14,000
Please send an inquiry. Send us your inquiry, and we will respond immediately.
Product details
Overview
QN9021/D518 from NXP Semiconductors is an ultra-low-power Bluetooth LE System-on-Chip integrating a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 MCU, 128 kB flash, 64 kB system memory, and a Bluetooth LE v4.2-compliant radio with integrated protocol stack and profiles. It operates from 2.4 V to 3.6 V and delivers −95 dBm RX sensitivity (non-DC-to-DC mode) and +4 dBm TX output power. Designed for coin-cell-powered wearable electronics, it supports both master and slave roles in sports/fitness sensors and smart accessories.
For engineers reviewing the QN9021/D518 datasheet, QN9021/D518 pinout, QN9021/D518 application, or QN9021/D518 equivalent, key selection considerations include its HVQFN32 package with 15 GPIOs, dual UART/SPI/I²C interfaces, 4-channel 10-bit ADC, AES-128 coprocessor, and verified support for Heart Rate, Battery, HID over GATT, and Proximity profiles - all within a 5 mm × 5 mm footprint optimized for space-constrained BLE endpoints.
Technical Context
QN9021/D518 implements a fully integrated Bluetooth LE subsystem with on-die link controller, host stack, and qualified profiles - eliminating external firmware dependencies. Its ARM Cortex-M0 core executes user applications directly from 128 kB on-chip flash while managing RF timing via dedicated 32 MHz HFXO and 32.768 kHz LFXO oscillators.
The SoC's power architecture combines an integrated DC-to-DC converter (reducing current draw by 30%) with deep-sleep mode consuming only 2 µA and sleep mode at 3 µA (32 kHz RC oscillator active). All digital peripherals - including four general-purpose timers, RTC with calibration, watchdog, and two PWM channels - are clocked and gated under PMU control to maintain sub-10 µA average system current in sensor-monitoring duty cycles.
Key Specifications
| Parameter | Value and Actual Design Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Version | BLE v4.2 compliant radio, link controller, and host stack - enables certified single-chip BLE operation without external protocol firmware. |
| MCU Core | 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 running at 32 MHz - provides deterministic interrupt handling for up to 24 external sources with <16-cycle wake-up latency. |
| Memory | 128 kB flash (4 kB pages), 64 kB system RAM, 96 kB ROM - supports secure code storage, OTA updates, and full-profile BLE stack execution. |
| RF Performance | −95 dBm RX sensitivity (non-DC-to-DC), +4 dBm TX output, 99 dB link budget - ensures robust 10–30 m range in wearable use cases with PCB trace antennas. |
| Power Supply | 2.4 V to 3.6 V single supply - compatible with CR2032 coin cells and eliminates need for external LDO in compact designs. |
| Low-Power Modes | 2 µA deep sleep (RAM retained), 3 µA sleep (32 kHz RC active) - enables multi-month battery life in periodic sensor-read applications. |
| Analog Peripherals | 4-channel 10-bit SAR ADC, two analog comparators, battery monitor - allows direct sensing of voltage, temperature, motion, and proximity without external signal conditioning. |
| Digital Interfaces | Two UARTs, two SPIs, I²C-bus master/slave, 15 GPIOs - supports simultaneous connection to sensors, displays, and host processors in network-processor mode. |
Pinout & Package
QN9021/D518 uses a 5 mm × 5 mm HVQFN32 package (SOT617-13) with exposed thermal pad grounded to PCB for optimal RF and thermal performance. Pin count is 32, with 15 configurable GPIOs supporting multiple alternate functions.
| Pin/Terminal | Circuit Role | Design Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| VCC / VDD | Power supply input | Main digital/analog supply (2.4–3.6 V); decoupling required per datasheet layout guidelines. |
| VSS | Ground reference | Digital ground plane connection; backplate must be soldered to PCB ground for RF stability. |
| RSTN | Hardware reset | Active-low asynchronous reset; pulls internal state to known condition on falling edge. |
| XTAL1 / XTAL2 | HF crystal interface | Connects to 16 MHz or 32 MHz crystal; internal load capacitance reduces external BOM count. |
| XTAL1_32K / XTAL2_32K | LF crystal interface | Connects to 32.768 kHz crystal for precise RTC timing and BLE advertising interval accuracy. |
| RFN / RFP | Differential RF port | Direct connection to matching network and antenna; requires 50 Ω impedance control and RF layout isolation. |
| P0_0–P0_7, P1_0–P1_7 | GPIO bank | 15 total I/O pins; eight support wake-up from sleep modes; configurable as UART/SPI/I²C/ADC/comp inputs. |
| REXT | Current reference | Connects 56 kΩ ±1% resistor to ground to calibrate internal bandgap and ADC reference. |
Key Features
| Feature | Design Value |
|---|---|
| Integrated BLE Stack | Fully qualified Bluetooth LE v4.2 protocol stack and 16+ certified profiles (e.g., Heart Rate, Battery, HID over GATT) stored in ROM - eliminates external flash and stack licensing. |
| AES-128 Coprocessor | Hardware-accelerated encryption with DMA trigger - offloads security operations from Cortex-M0, reducing CPU load by >70% during pairing and encrypted data transfer. |
| Ultra-Low-Power PMU | DC-to-DC converter + LDO + 2 µA deep sleep - extends CR2032 battery life to >12 months in pulse-reading sensor nodes with 1-second BLE advertising intervals. |
| Multi-Interface Connectivity | Dual UART/SPI + I²C-bus - enables concurrent communication with host MCU (UART), digital sensor (I²C), and display (SPI) without external bus arbitration. |
| Configurable ADC System | 4-channel 10-bit SAR ADC with DMA, window compare, and battery monitoring - supports direct analog sensing of voltage, temperature, and biopotential signals with <1 LSB INL. |
| Robust Debug & Test | SWD interface with 4 hardware breakpoints + UART-based Direct Test Mode (DTM) - enables full PHY-layer qualification using standard Bluetooth testers per SIG requirements. |
Applications
| Sports & Fitness Sensors | Wearable Health Monitors |
|---|---|
Use Scenario: Continuous heart rate and motion tracking in wrist-worn bands using optical PPG and accelerometer inputs. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Primary BLE SoC executing sensor fusion algorithms, managing BLE advertising/connection, and delivering encrypted HR profile data to smartphones. Use Value: 2 µA deep sleep and integrated battery monitor enable >6-month runtime on CR2032; 15 GPIOs support direct ADC/comp interfacing to analog front-end without level shifters. |
Use Scenario: Single-button medical alert pendant transmitting fall detection and location via BLE to caregiver smartphone. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: Standalone BLE endpoint with wake-on-interrupt capability, real-time clock for timestamped event logging, and AES-128 for secure emergency payload encryption. Use Value: Integrated RTC with calibration ensures accurate time-stamping of alerts; −95 dBm RX sensitivity maintains reliable connection indoors at 15 m range despite small antenna size. |
| Smartphone Accessories | PC Peripherals |
Use Scenario: Wireless earbud charging case reporting battery level and lid-open status to paired phone. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: BLE network processor communicating via UART with main earbud SoC while hosting Battery and Device Information services. Use Value: Dual UART interfaces allow simultaneous debug and host communication; 128 kB flash stores custom vendor-specific service descriptors and OTA update handler. |
Use Scenario: Compact wireless keyboard using BLE HID over GATT to report keystrokes with low-latency (<15 ms) and minimal power consumption. IC Role / Device Role / Timing Role: HID-over-GATT endpoint with built-in profile stack, managing keyboard matrix scan, debouncing, and encrypted report transmission. Use Value: Verified HID over GATT v1.0 compliance ensures plug-and-play pairing with iOS/Android/Windows; 3 µA sleep mode extends AA battery life to >18 months. |
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 DK | ARM Cortex-M4F core, 512 kB flash, 128 kB RAM, +8 dBm TX, but requires external DC-DC for coin-cell optimization. | Better for compute-intensive sensor fusion; lacks integrated BLE stack ROM - requires SDK integration and certification effort. | Select when higher MCU performance or larger memory is needed; QN9021/D518 preferred for cost-sensitive, certified, single-chip wearables. |
| DA14531MOD | Smaller 2.5 mm × 2.5 mm QFN24, 32 kB flash, no on-chip ADC, 12 GPIOs, −95 dBm RX, but only 1.8–3.3 V supply. | Targeted at ultra-miniature beacons and tags; limited peripheral set excludes RTC, comparators, and dual UARTs. | Choose for minimal footprint and lowest BOM cost where ADC/RTC/timers are unnecessary; QN9021/D518 offers broader integration for feature-rich endpoints. |
Compared with nRF52833 DK and DA14531MOD, QN9021/D518 uniquely balances certified BLE software, rich analog/digital peripherals, and ultra-low-power operation in a 5 mm × 5 mm HVQFN32 package - making it optimal for production-ready wearable sensors requiring minimal external components and fast time-to-certification.
Availability
QN9021/D518 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for sports/fitness trackers, wearable health monitors, and smartphone accessories requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and full Bluetooth SIG qualification documentation.
Supply support for QN9021/D518 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
NXP Semiconductors is a global semiconductor leader specializing in secure connectivity solutions for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets, with headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
QN9021/D518 belongs to the QN902x Bluetooth LE SoC family, designed specifically for ultra-low-power, coin-cell-operated wearable electronics requiring full-stack BLE functionality, integrated security, and minimal external components.
FAQ
What Bluetooth LE profiles are pre-certified and supported by QN9021/D518?
QN9021/D518 includes a fully qualified Bluetooth LE v4.2 stack with 16+ pre-certified profiles stored in ROM, including Heart Rate, Battery, Device Information, HID over GATT, Proximity, Alert Notification, Glucose, and Cycling Speed and Cadence. These profiles require no additional firmware development or SIG qualification - enabling immediate deployment in end products compliant with Bluetooth SIG requirements.
Does QN9021/D518 support both master and slave roles simultaneously?
Yes, QN9021/D518 supports concurrent master and slave operation - up to eight simultaneous links in master mode while maintaining slave connections. This enables complex topologies such as a wearable hub relaying data from multiple BLE sensors to a smartphone, all managed within a single QN9021/D518 instance without external coordination logic.
What is the minimum external component count required to operate QN9021/D518?
QN9021/D518 requires only a 32 MHz crystal, 32.768 kHz crystal (or RC oscillator), 56 kΩ resistor on REXT, decoupling capacitors, and RF matching network components. No external flash, RAM, or power regulators are needed - the integrated DC-to-DC converter, 128 kB flash, and 64 kB RAM enable true single-chip operation for most BLE endpoint designs.
How does the AES-128 coprocessor in QN9021/D518 improve system-level security and power efficiency?
The AES-128 coprocessor in QN9021/D518 performs encryption/decryption independently of the ARM Cortex-M0 core, triggered via DMA. This reduces CPU utilization by >70% during secure pairing and encrypted data sessions, directly lowering active-mode current and extending battery life - critical for always-on wearable devices where security cannot compromise power budget.
Can QN9021/D518 be used as a network processor with an external application MCU?
Yes, QN9021/D518 is explicitly architected for network-processor mode via UART or SPI interfaces. It handles all BLE protocol layers while the host MCU runs application logic - verified in reference designs for wireless keyboards and sensor hubs. The dual UART/SPI interfaces support simultaneous debug and host communication without multiplexing overhead.
QN9021/D518 Specifications
- Product attributes
- Attribute value
- Manufacturer:
- NXP Semiconductors
- Series:
- -
- Package/Case:
- 32-VFQFN Exposed Pad
- Packaging:
- Bulk
- Product Status:
- Active
- Programmable:
- Not Verified
- Type:
- TxRx + MCU
- RF Family/Standard:
- Bluetooth
- Protocol:
- Bluetooth v4.2
- Modulation:
- GFSK
- Frequency:
- 2.4GHz
- Data Rate (Max):
- 1Mbps
- Power - Output:
- 4dBm
- Sensitivity:
- -95dBm
- Memory Size:
- 128kB Flash, 96kB ROM
- Serial Interfaces:
- ADC, GPIO, I2C, PWM, SPI, UART
- GPIO:
- 15
- Voltage - Supply:
- 2.4V ~ 3.6V
- Current - Receiving:
- 9.25mA ~ 13.6mA
- Current - Transmitting:
- 4.3mA ~ 17.6mA
- Operating Temperature:
- -40°C ~ 85°C (TA)
- Grade:
- -
- Qualification:
- -
- Supplier Device Package:
- 32-HVQFN (5x5)
QN9021/D518 FAQ
1.How can I place an order for QN9021/D518 through Aetrix?
Please submit a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for QN9021/D518 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 QN9021/D518 reliable?
The price and inventory of QN9021/D518 are updated periodically and may fluctuate due to market conditions. Stock and pricing data are typically refreshed every 24 hours. Quotation validity for QN9021/D518 is usually 5 days.
3.What payment methods are accepted for QN9021/D518?
We accept Wire Transfer, PayPal, Credit Card, Western Union, MoneyGram, and Escrow for QN9021/D518 transactions.
Note: Certain payment methods may incur a processing fee.
4.How is shipping managed for QN9021/D518?
QN9021/D518 orders can be shipped via leading logistics carriers, including DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT, or Registered Mail.
Once your QN9021/D518 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 QN9021/D518?
For technical support, including QN9021/D518 datasheets, pinout diagrams, or application guidance, please contact our engineering support team. They can provide detailed documentation and assistance for your QN9021/D518 requirements.
6.How does Aetrix verify that QN9021/D518 is sourced from the original manufacturer or authorized distributors?
All QN9021/D518 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 QN9021/D518 meets industry standards.
7.What is the process for return or replacement of QN9021/D518?
All QN9021/D518 units undergo pre-shipment inspection (PSI). If there is an issue with QN9021/D518, 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 QN9021/D518 part is unused and in its original packaging.
Return procedure for QN9021/D518:
1.Submit a request within 90 days.
2.Obtain a Return Material Authorization (RMA) from Aetrix.
QN9021/D518 Tags
-
ESP32-D0WD-V3
Espressif Systems
-
ESP8266EX
Espressif Systems
-
ESP32-S3
Espressif Systems
-
NRF24L01P-R7
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
-
NRF24L01P-R
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
-
ESP32-U4WDH
Espressif Systems
-
DA14531-00000OG2
Renesas
-
ESP32-C6FH4
Espressif Systems
-
DA14531-00000FX2
Renesas
-
NRF24L01P-T
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
-
NRF52810-QCAA-R
Nordic Semiconductor ASA
-
ESP32-S3FN8
Espressif Systems
Tech Hub
A practical engineering guide to 3.3V and 5V logic compatibility, input thresholds, resistor dividers, translator ICs, MOSFET level shifting, I2C pull-ups, timing limits and power-sequencing risks.
The 74HC595 uses push-pull logic outputs, while the TPIC6B595 uses 50 V open-drain DMOS sinks for higher-power loads. This guide compares timing, current limits, 3.3 V interfacing, load wiring, thermal…
The 74HC595 converts serial data into eight stable parallel outputs. This guide covers pin functions, shift and storage timing, OE and MR behavior, drive-current limits, cascading, voltage compatibilit…
A technical comparison of level-sensitive latches and edge-triggered flip-flops, covering timing windows, setup and hold limits, master–slave operation, time borrowing, race-through, HDL inference and…
A D latch stores one bit while Enable controls when data can pass. This reference covers gate-level operation, truth tables, transparency, setup and hold timing, LE versus OE, common ICs and practical …
An SR latch stores one bit through cross-coupled feedback. This engineering reference covers NOR and NAND implementations, truth tables, forbidden-state recovery, gated operation, switch debouncing, fa…
Latch circuits retain one bit through feedback. This technical reference covers SR and D latches, truth tables, transparency, timing limits, latch-versus-flip-flop behavior, applications and common log…
An engineering guide to LED driver operation, constant-current and constant-voltage outputs, linear and switching topologies, dimming, IC selection, calculations, replacement compatibility, and fault c…
Operational amplifier guide covering op amp basics, feedback, ideal vs real op amps, common configurations, buffer circuits, offset, bias current, gain-bandwidth, slew rate, rail-to-rail limits and sel…
Jumper cables guide covering safe connection order, red and black clamp placement, final ground connection, cable gauge, length, clamp quality, copper vs CCA cables, jump starter comparison and battery…
