Bluetooth Smart ICs attain low current consumption

19th January 2017

Toshiba

Alice Matthews

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Toshiba has introduced three ICs, TC35678FSG, TC35678FXG and TS35679FSG, which support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) version 4.1 communications. They achieve low current consumption and are suitable for use in Bluetooth Smart devices, such as wearable technology, medical equipment, smartphone accessories, remote controls and a wide variety of emerging IoT solutions.

Adoption of a highly efficient DC/DC converter and a low-power circuit design permits a current reduction of nearly 46% when compared to predecessor products. At a 3V supply, the ICs achieve peak current consumption of 3.6mA, in transmitting mode and 3.3mA in receiver mode. In deep sleep mode, this is reduced to 100nA. Both the TC35678FXG and TC35678FSg incorporate 256KB of built-in Flash ROM to store user programmes and data in stand-alone operations without a need for external host MCU. Dedicated memory capacity for user programs is now extended from 64 to 100KB in both ICs, contributing to greater expansion options for application programmes.

This built-in Flash ROM eliminates any need for external EEPROM and helps reduce both costs and mounting-area, by reducing the number of external parts. The TC35678FXG is a repackaged version of the TC356 78FSG, in a QFN60 package that extends the number of general purpose IO from 16 to 32. It is suitable for use in equipment such as keyboards and remote controls that require a large number of control pins.

In comparison, the TC35679FSG has no built-in Flash ROM and can consequently achieve even lower current operation. It achieves long operating times for applications powered by small coin batteries. Thus, using a CR2032 type coin battery, the new IC can carry out beacon operation for over a year.