Silicon Labs SLWRB4306A

Overview

SLWRB4306A from Silicon Labs is a plug-in radio board featuring the BGM13P22 Blue Gecko Bluetooth® Module (512 kB Flash, 64 kB RAM), integrated chip antenna, RF matching network, crystals, and decoupling. It delivers over-the-air firmware updates via an onboard 8 Mbit MX25R serial flash and connects directly to the Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard for development of Bluetooth LE applications.

For engineers reviewing the SLWRB4306A datasheet, SLWRB4306A pinout, SLWRB4306A application, or SLWRB4306A equivalent, this page provides verified hardware layout, EXP header I/O mapping, power selection modes (AEM/USB/BAT), Simplicity Connector debug interface support, and integration guidance with the WSTK mainboard's J-Link debugger, Advanced Energy Monitor, and virtual COM port.

Technical Context

The SLWRB4306A is a dedicated radio board designed exclusively for use with Silicon Labs Wireless Starter Kit (WSTK) Mainboards. It hosts the BGM13P22F512GA-V2 module and routes its GPIOs to breakout pads, the 20-pin EXP header, and shared peripherals including Si7021 sensor, Memory LCD, push buttons, and LEDs.

Hardware interaction is mediated by the on-board board controller, which manages AEM current profiling, VCOM, PTI, and admin console access over USB/Ethernet. Pin mapping between BGM13P signals and kit features (e.g., DISP_ENABLE, SENSOR_ENABLE, VCOM_TX/RX) is fixed per radio board and documented in UG338.

Key Specifications

Availability

SLWRB4306A is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for Bluetooth LE prototyping, embedded wireless qualification, and production-ready firmware validation requiring stable component supply, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle continuity.

Supply support for SLWRB4306A 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

Silicon Labs is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in low-power wireless SoCs, timing solutions, and IoT development tools.

The SLWRB4306A belongs to the Wireless Starter Kit ecosystem and was designed to accelerate evaluation and application development for the BGM13P Blue Gecko Bluetooth modules in consumer, industrial, and medical edge devices.

FAQ

What is the SLWRB4306A and how does it differ from BRD4306A?

The SLWRB4306A is the orderable part number for the BRD4306A radio board - they refer to the identical hardware. BRD4306A is the internal designator used in documentation and schematics, while SLWRB4306A is the official ordering SKU listed in Silicon Labs' distribution channels and UG338 Table 1.1.

Does the SLWRB4306A include an on-board debugger?

No, the SLWRB4306A itself does not contain a debugger. It relies entirely on the Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard's integrated SEGGER J-Link debugger, Packet Trace Interface, and Advanced Energy Monitor. The SLWRB4306A connects to the mainboard via its edge connector and draws debug capability from that host platform.

Can the SLWRB4306A operate independently without the WSTK Mainboard?

No - the SLWRB4306A is not a standalone development board. It lacks power regulation (except coin-cell support via mainboard switch), USB connectivity, debugging interfaces, and user peripherals. It must be plugged into a compatible Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard (e.g., SLWSTK6000B) to function.

What Bluetooth version and features does the SLWRB4306A support?

The SLWRB4306A hosts the BGM13P22F512GA-V2 module, which supports Bluetooth 5.0 Low Energy (LE), including LE Advertising Extensions, LE Secure Connections, LE Data Length Extension, and LE 2 Mbps PHY. It does not support Bluetooth Classic or BR/EDR.

How is the display on the SLWRB4306A controlled and what are its key electrical constraints?

The SLWRB4306A integrates a 128×128 SHARP Memory LCD-TFT. Control is managed via DISP_ENABLE (PD15): high = BGM13P owns display, low = board controller owns it. Data is clocked via DISP_SI/DP_SCLK (max 1.1 MHz), with DISP_EXTCOMIN (PD13) requiring periodic toggling to prevent image retention. Power is sourced from the active domain (VMCU or board controller).