Mouser Electronics, Inc. is now offering the RN4870 and RN4871 next-generation Bluetooth® low energy (BLE) solutions from Microchip Technology. The RN4870 and RN4871 modules feature an easy-to-use ASCII-style command interface that makes the devices easy to configure and eliminates any complicated code compiling.

The modules support the latest Bluetooth 4.2 specification and have a Bluetooth stack on board with a scripting engine to enable standalone operation and eliminate microcontroller use for simple applications.
 
The Microchip RN4870 and RN4871 modules, available from Mouser Electronics, deliver up to 2.5 times the data throughput improvement over previous-generation products based on the Bluetooth 4.0 standard. In addition, the new Bluetooth solutions offer Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS)-based connection security coupled with advanced features.

The modules can seamlessly transfer serial data over BLE devices and can support different beacon formats like iBeacon™ or Eddystone™ via a single command. Both modules are available in a variety of packages, including compact options as small as 6×8 mm and in shielded or unshielded options, with shielded version fully certified to meet worldwide regulatory standards. This, combined with Microchip’s user-friendly interface, helps speed time to market.
 
Mouser also offers the RN-4870-SNSR development board, which includes an onboard RN4870 module and antenna with 2 dBm output power, sensor board to demonstrate digital and analog input/output (IO) capabilities, and a mini-USB cable.

The RN-4870-SNSR board features Microchip’s PICtail interface for connection to Microchip’s microcontroller development platforms, such as Explorer 16. Additionally, developers can use Microchip’s smartphone apps, such as SmartDiscover, to demonstrate Bluetooth data connections to the module.
 
The RN4870 and RN4871 modules are designed to complement Microchip’s diverse low-energy solutions designed for low-power applications such as Internet of Things (IoT), smart energy/smart home appliances and automation, health and medical devices, sensor-based systems, industrial control, and wearable devices.
 
To learn more, visit http://www.mouser.com/new/microchip/microchip-rn4870-rn4871/.