Bluetooth 5 technology is not entirely new. It has been in service since 2016 and brings with it several advantages. It's also easier to integrate into different components these days, which means a lot of engineers have used it. As Bluetooth, like all major technologies, continues to develop, you may have noticed the considerable benefits of upgrading to the Bluetooth 5 microcontroller, but how do you choose one? This article takes a look.
What are the features of Bluetooth 5?
Among the features offered by Bluetooth 5 are greater range, much lower power consumption and higher data rates. In the early days of Bluetooth, it was used (and still is to some extent) to pair devices near each other. With Bluetooth 5, that's no longer the case, as it can pair devices up to 330 feet away from each other. This is because they are used more for industrial use than for the personal use that many people associate with Bluetooth.
If you are considering incorporating Bluetooth 5 into one of your current projects, visit Octopart to learn more about the BLE microcontroller, including its uses, ease of access, and cost.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Microcontroller
If you've decided to use a Bluetooth 5 microcontroller, you're probably wondering what you need to consider when choosing the right one for you. Here are some of the main points:
- What data transmission rate do you need?
Data streaming rate is something you need to consider. The amount will vary depending on your project. Some data rates go up to 2Mbps, although there are other custom controllers that can go even higher than that.
- Do you need more memory?
Memory is essential and should therefore be taken into consideration when making your choice. The memory you are considering includes both onboard Flash and RAM. How much you need depends on your computing workload, as the larger it is, the more onboard RAM you will need. Typically, most microcontrollers have around 1MB or less of onboard flash memory, so the code in them needs to be optimized. Think about how much you are likely to need and whether there will be an increase in the near future. You might benefit from a controller with more RAM.
- Will you use mobile devices?
If you plan to use a mobile device, it will need to run on battery power, and battery voltage will likely decrease over time. When the voltage becomes too low, your device may turn off, meaning any data that has not been backed up will be lost. Consider the possibility of using a mobile device and what you need to prepare for situations like this.
- How many times will it be in sleep mode?
Like many electronic components, devices often go into sleep mode when they are not actively processing data. You need to consider what the current will be when the device is in sleep mode, how many times it will be in this mode, and if this is enough. You will usually find typical values ranging from -90 dBm to -100 dBm.