Question about SoC vs Module wireless

msprogrammer  wrote:

 

We are looking for wireless communication options. I have a hard time understanding the difference between a SoC and a module.

~ basically avoid wireless SoC's (System on Chip). In essence they are simply an IC (Integrated Circuit). Anyway, you only tend to look at those options when you are ready to populate a custom design circuit board with components. When starting, just stick with search terms such as "breakout" or "daughter" boards and development kits or boards or just modules.

~ "I hear about BLE devices with built in microcontrollers"... Yes that would be considered an integrated system and thus could be a SoC but more likely it would be a SiP (System in Package) or simply a module. SiP's tend to include a SoC and then include a bunch of minitiaturised components all squashed into one Package or shielded cover and if including an antenna tend to be then called modules. The reason they are BLE MCU's is that an MCU or processor is required for managing a Bluetooth "stack" which includes a bunch of protocols for say Bluetooth version 5 or 4.2 etc. Wireless components at their most basic are either transmitters, receivers or transceivers which modulate a signal (if transmitting) or able to decode a modulated signal (if receiving) in a certain way at a certain or defined frequency.

So to start you off.

Why did you already purchase a TI based product (MSP-EXP430FR5994 ) before working out what wireless components you needed or all the other components for that matter?

Maybe this was a case of "let's get going with something" or was this a requirement because of other things or was it simply down to COST (hopefully you are thinking it was combination of all three).

The reason for asking that question relates to your question I hear about BLE devices with built in microcontrollers.

You see, if look at TI.com you will find they already offer ready made development boards which include an integrated mcu and a wireless protocol device within a "Launchpad" dev board. With these boards there is no need to get separate modules. The same concept applies to something like an ESP8266 (for WiFi) or the ESP32 (for WiFi or Bluetooth) module.

LAUNCHXL-CC26X2R1 SimpleLink multi-standard CC26x2R wireless MCU LaunchPad development kit | TI.com

LAUNCHXL-CC1312R1 SimpleLink Sub-1 GHz CC1312R Wireless Microcontroller (MCU) LaunchPad Development Kit | TI.com

Maybe you already have looked at these integrated solutions, but felt they were too costly or too restrictive.

In my experience, when it comes to sourcing products you want to choose something that you are going to be familiar with and when it comes to familiarity you want to have consistency, especially with the development environment itself and then in documentation and where to find stuff.

So my suggestion is that if you are having to develop code for multiple subsystems, then try and maintain consistency, as much as practicable.... it also makes choosing components a little simpler and its quicker. If outside budget then at least this helps you have a compelling reason for choosing the different OEM vendor etc. Which begs the question... what compelling reason did you have for considering the Nordic Semi nRF52810 in the first place?

Hello, thank you for your response!

We first made the decision to take a separate microcontroller and BLE device because we found literature suggesting that this setup was more power efficient. We then chose the MSP430 because it is very low power and has a good free IDE. But now we are looking for a BLE device that can be connected to our microcontroller. However, all BLE devices we find seem to already have a built in microcontroller and memory, something we don't need. You already said that's the case because the microcontroller is needed the implement the BLE stack. Yet, in 2015 there were BLE devices like nRF8001 that did not include microcontrollers. That's mainly what is confusing us: Is it possible to connect some development kit/module to our microcontroller that implements only BLE and not also a microcontroller?

Thank you already!

Nope, the nRF8001 still has a microcontroller. I have not checked the specification or user manual so I assume you are just not given access to the MCU to flash you own application firmware.

Take the old Adafruit nRF8001 breakout board offering as an example. https://learn.adafruit.com/getting-started-with-the-nrf8001-bluefruit-le-breakout/introduction

Here you would need to hookup this board to the MSP430 SPI-bus for communication and then use the Adafruit library to handle data transfer etc. and on the BLE side the option you get is a UART custom GATT service to handle the data transfer.

SO, if this is what you are after (i.e. no programming required) then I would suggest a couple of (random) options, by way of example. These should all work with the MSP430:

1, Silicon Labs Wireless Xpress BGX13P Starter Kit (SLEXP8027A) - on Element14 you'll find some great road test reviews to help you get familiarised with this board.

2. Adafruit Bluefruit LE UART or SPI Friend (breakout board). This uses an MDBT40 & MDBT40-P Series module (or nRF51822) which has an ARM M0 MCU to handle the AT Command Set - in this case you cannot store you own application code. You can only save AT Command settings etc.

3. SeeedStudio Grove - Blueseeed LE (HM11). This utilises an HM-11 module and communicates via UART. Also has AT Command set.

4. Microchip RN4870 & RN4871 BLE modules which include an ASCII Command Interface API over UART.

There are others too. Just need to look.

Hello,

Once again, thank you for your response. This was very clarifying. We will take a look at this!

Kind regards,

Robbin

Hello,

Once again, thank you for your response. This was very clarifying. We will take a look at this!

Kind regards,

Robbin