In low-power wireless design, modular BLE solutions not only shorten development cycles but also bring significant advantages in certification, power management, and system compatibility. The BLE113-A-M256K, developed by Silicon Labs (formerly Bluegiga), is a classic Bluetooth® Smart module that integrates the TI CC2541 SoC and supports the complete Bluetooth 4.0 stack. Featuring excellent stability and ultra-low power consumption, it has been widely adopted in wearable, medical, and industrial sensing devices.
Product Overview and Architecture Integration
The BLE113-A-M256K is based on the TI CC2541 single-chip platform, which integrates an 8051 MCU, BLE protocol stack, RF front end, and power management unit. The module comes in an SMD package with a built-in matching network and ceramic antenna, factory-calibrated for RF performance and ready for mass production deployment.
It supports two primary operating modes:
- Standalone mode (BGScript): The module runs the BLE application logic independently.
- External host mode (UART/SPI): An external MCU controls BLE communication.
This flexible architecture allows developers to balance power, cost, and resource allocation depending on system requirements.
Key Technical Specifications
Bluetooth Standard | Bluetooth v4.0 Single Mode |
Core Platform | TI CC2541 (8051 MCU) |
Memory | 256 KB Flash / 8 KB SRAM |
Power Consumption | TX: 18 mA (typ.), Deep Sleep: <1 µA |
Supply Voltage | 2.0 – 3.6 V |
Package Size | 15.75 × 9.15 × 2.1 mm |
Antenna Type | Integrated ceramic antenna (0.5 dBi gain) |
Interfaces | UART, SPI, I²C, GPIO, ADC |
Operating Temperature | –40 °C to +85 °C |
Certifications | Bluetooth / FCC / CE / IC / KCC / MIC Japan |
Product Status | Obsolete (discontinued in 2022) |
Engineering Integration Advantages
- Stable RF Performance: Built-in matching network and low-pass filters provide strong signal stability and excellent interference resistance.
- Comprehensive Certification: Certified under major global wireless standards, ideal for international mass production.
- Ultra-Low Power Design: Three power modes with deep sleep current as low as 0.5 µA.
- Extensive Development Support: Compatible with BGScript and Silicon Labs SDK, enabling OTA functionality.
- Strong Platform Compatibility: Pin- and firmware-compatible with BLE112 and BGM11x series for easy migration and upgrades.
Typical Application Areas
Wearables | Smart bands, fitness sensors, health monitors |
Medical Devices | Heart rate straps, Bluetooth blood pressure monitors, portable diagnostic terminals |
Smart Home | Bluetooth locks, lighting modules, environmental sensors |
Industrial Monitoring | BLE beacons, data loggers, temperature and humidity nodes |
The BLE113 module excels in space-constrained and battery-powered embedded applications, offering reliable wireless connectivity, low power consumption, and robust RF performance.
Design and Selection Guidelines
- Antenna Area: Maintain at least a 5 mm clearance from metal or dielectric materials to ensure radiation efficiency.
- Power Design: For coin-cell operation, add a 100 µF ceramic capacitor in parallel to minimize voltage drop.
- Communication Parameters: Adjust advertising intervals and connection latency to optimize power usage.
- Security Features: Supports MITM pairing and whitelist filtering to enhance connection security.
The BLE113-A-M256K represents the mature modular design philosophy of the Bluetooth 4.0 era. With its proven CC2541 platform, ultra-low power operation, and comprehensive global certifications, it has been extensively used in wearables, medical, and smart home devices. Moreover, it laid the technical groundwork for the next generation of BLE 5.0 modules, continuing the evolution of low-power wireless connectivity.
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