connectBlue Releases a Turnkey Bluetooth Low Energy Module

Bluetooth low energy technology was introduced in 2010 in the Bluetooth v4.0 Specification. Bluetooth low energy technology is rapidly being integrated in small mobile Android / Apple iOS / Windows devices thanks to the unique features of an extremely long battery lifetime, fast connection times and interoperability focus provided by the standard. Industrial and medical customers can now easily utilize “apps” for Human Machine Interface (HMI), gateway and data acquisition functionality. In the past they had to rely on application tailored tools; now they can use a smart phone instead.

“But we can offer more than “just” the Bluetooth low energy advantages,” says Rolf Nilsson, CEO of connectBlue. “Our new OLP425 module is a unique low energy platform; our hardware is either delivered out-of-the-box or it is extra-equipped with added features. The customers then embed their own application software. All in all – our new module provides a complete and cost efficient Bluetooth low energy experience.”

connectBlue’s Bluetooth low energy platform module OLP425 is delivered with a number of digital and analogue GPIOs. The module can be equipped to support additional customer requirements with a coin cell battery, temperature sensor, accelerometers, and humidity sensor. Using the IAR Embedded Workbench, the customers then embed their own application software in the Bluetooth low energy platform module OLP425. Such possible customer application software includes machine / device access and asset management, data conversion, data acquisition, and logic.

Since Bluetooth low energy technology is particularly suitable for small, mobile devices, connectBlue is introducing a new smaller connectBlue module standard with the Bluetooth low energy platform module OLP425. The Bluetooth low energy platform module OLP425 is radio type approved for FCC, IC and R&TTE, compliant with EMC, Safety and Medical standards, and Bluetooth 4.0 qualified. These certificates allow customers to save on development resources and easily integrate wireless communication without having to go through lengthy and costly approval and qualification processes.

An application scenario for the Bluetooth low energy platform module OLP425 is the collaboration between connectBlue and Tridentify (which was announced on October 12, 2011). The solution revolutionizes the handling of blood bags as it allows blood banks to increase blood availability, tracking and quality.