Hardware
Specifications
The BLE module is managed by UART and it can be connected on SOCKET0 and SOCKET1 of Waspmote. The main features of the module are listed below:
Protocol: Bluetooth v4.0 / Bluetooth Smart
Chipset: BLE112
RX Sensitivity: -103 dBm
TX Power: [-23 dBm, +3 dBm]
Antenna: 2 dBi/5 dBi antenna options
Security: AES 128
Range: 100 meters (at maximum TX power)
Consumption: sleep (0.4 uA) / RX (8 mA) / TX (36 mA)
Actions:
Send broadcast advertisements (iBeacons)
Connect to other BLE devices as Master / Slave
Connect with smartphones and tablets
Set automatic cycles sleep / transmission
Calculate distance using RSSI values
Perfect for indoor location networks (RTLS)
Scan devices with maximum inquiry time
Scan devices with maximum number of nodes
Scan devices looking for a certain user by MAC address
Electrical characteristic and power consumption
The Libelium BLE module is powered from 3.3 V. Next table shows the average power consumption in different states of the module.
State
Power consumption
OFF
0 mA
Sleep
0.4 uA*
ON
8 mA
Transmitting (advertising / data connection)
36 mA
*Consumption in the best low power mode. See manufacturer documentation for more information.
Table: Power consumption at different states
The Bluetooth Low Energy standard has been designed for low power consumption. Despite the peak current during transmission can reach relatively high values, the user should take into account that these values are present only for small periods of time. Next graph shows an average curve of the current consumption (in mA) versus time (in ms) while one advertisement is sent by the BLE module.
How to connect the module
This module can be connected to both SOCKET0 and SOCKET1 placed in the Waspmote board.
IMAGEN
Figure: Module connected to Waspmote in Socket0
In order to connect the module to the SOCKET1, the user must use the Expansion Radio Board.
Expansion Radio Board
The Expansion Board allows to connect 2 communication modules at the same time in the Waspmote sensor platform. This means a lot of different combinations are possible using any of the wireless radios available for Waspmote: 802.15.4, ZigBee 3, DigiMesh, 868 MHz, 900 MHz, LoRa, WiFi, NB-IoT / Cat-M, 4G, Sigfox, LoRaWAN, Bluetooth Pro, Bluetooth Low Energy and RFID/NFC. Besides, the following Industrial Protocols modules are available: RS-485/Modbus and CAN Bus.
LoRaWAN - 4G
802.15.4 - Sigfox
868 MHz - RS-485
NB-IoT / Cat-M - WiFi
DigiMesh - 4G
NB-IoT / Cat-M - RFID/NFC
WiFi - 4G
CAN Bus - Bluetooth
etc
NB-IoT / Cat-M and 4G modules do not need the Expansion Board to be connected to Waspmote. They can be plugged directly in the socket1.
In the next photo you can see the sockets available along with the UART assigned. On one hand, SOCKET0 allows to plug any kind of radio module through the UART0. On the other hand, SOCKET1 permits to connect a radio module through the UART1.
The API provides a function called ON() in order to switch the module on. This function supports a parameter which permits to select the SOCKET. It is possible to choose between SOCKET0 and SOCKET1.
Selecting SOCKET0: LoRaWAN.ON(SOCKET0);
Selecting SOCKET1: LoRaWAN.ON(SOCKET1);
The rest of the functions are used the same way as they are used with older API versions. In order to understand them, we recommend to read this guide.
Warnings:
Avoid to use DIGITAL7 pin when working with the Expansion Board. This pin is used for setting the XBee into sleep mode.
Avoid to use DIGITAL6 pin when working with the Expansion Board. This pin is used as power supply for the Expansion Board.
Incompatibility with Sensor Boards:
Agriculture PRO v30: Incompatible with Watermark and solar radiation sensors
Events v30: Incompatible with interruption shift register
Smart Water v30: DIGITAL7 incompatible with conductivity sensor
Smart Water Ions v30: Incompatible with ADC conversion (sensors cannot be read if the Expansion Board is in use)
Gases PRO v30: Incompatible with SOCKET_2 and SOCKET_3
Cities PRO v30: Incompatible with SOCKET_3. I2C bus can be used. No gas sensor can be used.
Auxiliary connector
Note: The usage of this connector is only recommended for advanced users.
Besides the UART interface used with Waspmote, the manufacturer provides other optional functions for the module. The BLE module auxiliary connector includes some of these functions to allow the user developing his own application using I/O pins or USB interface.
It is important to say that these functions are not directly used by Waspmote, so the user would have to develop his own application. The usage of the auxiliary connector involves sending specific commands defined in the manufacturer documentation. For this reason, its usage is only recommended for experienced users.
The pin out of auxiliary connector is described below.
Pin number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Internal connection
USB+
USB-
P0.7
P0.3
P0.2
P0.5
P0.4
Not used
Not used
GND
Table: Auxiliary connector
Important: The connection of any extra hardware through the auxiliary connector can damage the module or even Waspmote if it is not done correctly. Any damage caused by external hardware will void the warranty.
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