CEL Launches Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Nano Modules to Complement Mini Module Lineup

California Eastern Laboratories (CEL), a provider of RF, optoelectronic and mixed signal semiconductor solutions, recently announced the release of two new system-in-package (SiP, not to be confused with Session Initiation Protocol, or SIP) devices to extend its multi-standard wireless module portfolio. These SiPs enable support for the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless standards with “nano modules” to complement the company’s existing “mini modules”, which use the same chipset and RF circuit topology.

The B1012 Bluetooth Smart Nano Module is comprised of a CSR1012 chip scale package IC as well as two crystals, a low pass filter and a 64KB EEPROM, and can support both the Bluetooth Low Energy and CSRmesh protocols. The device’s RF range reaches from 50m to 100m with +8.5dBm of output power, available in a 36-pin surface mountable package. Its dimensions of 7.2mm x 8.8mm are a 79 percent size reduction over the aforementioned mini module version.

Meanwhile, the WB4343 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth Nano Module features an integration of Broadcom’s BCM4343x ARM Coretex-M4 microprocessor with two crystals, a low pass filter and RF matching circuitry to form a comprehensive one-chip solution for both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. It includes support for Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Smart, offering output power levels of +17dBm for Wi-Fi and +8dBm for Bluetooth. The device comes in a 151-pin, 10mm x 10mm surface mountable package which is only a 67 percent size reduction over the corresponding mini module.

Both SiPs are certified for FCC, IC and CE compliance when coupled with CEL’s reference antenna designs, and are fully compliant with the applicable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards. These devices extend CEL’s portfolio to offer customers the flexibility to mix and match compatible mini modules to support multiple wireless standards with a single PCB while benefitting from the miniscule footprint of these nano modules. CEL’s new offerings are some of the smallest stand-alone wireless solutions currently on the market.