The Digilent Pmod BLE (Revision A) is a powerful peripheral module meant for use with any UART enabled development
board. This Pmod employs the Roving Networks RN4871 to create a fully integrated Bluetooth Low Energy interface. This
chip features an onboard Bluetooth stack that makes connecting and communicating with any Bluetooth 4.0+ device
possible through simple UART commands. The RN4871 also features four built in GATT services: Device Information,
Airpatch, BeaconThings, and UART Transparent data streaming. It also allows up to five custom public services and up to
4 custom private services, each allowing up to eight custom characteristics. The PmodBLE is a cheap, versatile, low energy
addition to the wireless Pmod library.
Pmod BLE Reference Manual
Fully Qualified Bluetooth® Low Energy Module
On-Board Bluetooth 4.2 Low Energy Stack
Certified to FCC, IC, CE, KCC, NCC and SRRC
ASCIICommand InterfaceAPI
Secure communication AES128 Encryption
Remote Configuration Over The Air
Small PCB size for flexible designs 1.0“ x 0.8” (2.57 cm × 2.03 cm)
12-pin Pmod connector with UART interface
Follows Digilent Pmod Interface Specification Type 3A
Parameter Min Typical Max
Power Supply Voltage 1.9 3.3 3.6
Baud Rate 2400 115200 921000
Features
Specifications
The Pmod BLE has one jumper connected to the MODE pin. When left unshorted, the PmodBLE will start up in
standard application mode. When shorted and power cycled, the board will go into test mode, which is used to update the
firmware on the RN4871. There is also an unloaded jumper J2 which provides access to 3 configurable pins P1_3, P1_7,
and P2_7.
Parameter Min Typical Max
Data Rate (Transparent UART) 10
Parameter Value
RX Sensitivity -90
TX Power 0
Frequency Band 2.402 - 2.480
Pin Signal Description
1 RTS Ready to Send
2 RXD Receive Data
3 TXD Transmit Data
4 CTS Clear to Send
5 GND Power Supply Ground
6 VCC Power Supply (3.3V/5V)
7 P1_2 ConfigurableGPIO
8 RST_N Reset (Active Low)
9 MODE App/Test Mode pin
10 P1_6/STATUS Configurable Connection Status
11 GND Power Supply Ground
12 VCC Power Supply (3.3V)
Pinout Table Diagram
Jumpers
Physical Dimensions
The pins on the pin header are spaced 100 mil apart. The PCB is 1.011 inches (2.570 cm) long on the sides parallel to the
pins on the pin header and 0.8 inches (2.032 cm) long on the sides perpendicular to the pin header. The PCB on the
RN4780 module extends the length of the PCB approximately .158 in (4.00 mm) and is .355 in (9.00 mm) wide.
The Pmod BLE uses a 12-pin Pmod port and communicates via UART on the top row of pins. The bottom row of pins
include 2GPIOpins, a reset pin, and a mode pin that is used to update the firmware of the BLE module.
The typical application for the Pmod BLE is to replace a wired UART connection between two Bluetooth capable devices.
When paired with an Android, Linux, MacOSX, or Windows computer, the Pmod BLE behaves like a serial port similar
to how a USB-UART bridge or RS-232 serial port behaves. The Pmod BLE can be easily configured from the Bluetooth
connected computer by entering a “Command Mode” that allows settings such as UART baud rate to be programmed into
non-volatile configuration registers.
When used with another Pmod BLE, a wireless UART bridge can be achieved with no need for software configuration of
the Bluetooth link. This is accomplished by entering a command mode while connected to the PmodBLE through UART.
Once in command mode, the device can connect to any BLE address using the “C,0,<address>” command. In this way
you can communicate wirelessly between two embedded devices without complicated software like is required with WiFi or
802.15.4 solutions. Communicate wirelessly with simple serial prints and reads!
WARNING: Hot-plugging (un-plugging or plugging in the device while powered) the Pmod BLE can possibly wipe the
internal memory on the device. Fixing this requires a UART terminal connection between a PC and the Pmod BLE.
The Pmod BLE communicates with the host board via theUART protocol. By default, the UART interface uses a baud
rate of 115.2 kbps, 8 data bits, no parity, and a single stop bit. The startup baud rate may be customized to predefined rates
or set to a specific user customized baud rate ranging from 2400 bps to 921 kbps.
By default, the PmodBLE is configured as a transparent UART device. UART data sent to the PmodBLE will be sent
directly to the device it is connected to and vice versa.
Command mode can be entered by sending the module the characters “$$$” to which it will respond “CMD> ”. When in
command mode, the module will respond to a large number of commands allowing the user to customizing the module for
specific applications. In order to exit command mode, send “—<cr>” (three minus signs in a row followed by the carriage
return character) to which the device will respond “END”. Remote configuration, or configuration over a Bluetooth
connection, is possible using the command “!,1”. It is important to note that any of the “set” commands available for the
Pmod BLE must be followed by a power cycle to take effect in any design.
The reset pin (RST) on J1 is active low. If the RST pin is pulled low, the device will undergo a hard reset until the RST pin
is pulled high. This hard reset performs similarly to a power cycling of the device.
The P1_6/STATUS pin directly reflects the connection status of the device. STATUS is driven low by the device when
connected and is driven high otherwise. P1_6 can be reconfigured to several different functions using the SW command
(see RN4970 User Guide).
The P1_2GPIOpin can be written to by entering command mode and sending the command “|O,08,0X\r\n” (replace X
with 8 to set the pin high, or 0 to set the pin low). It can also be read from using the command “|I,08”. P1_2 can also be
reconfigured to several different functions using the SW command.
Here is an example of using the PmodBLE to echo data via bluetooth.
1. Disconnect jumper JP1
2. Power on PmodBLE
3. Wait for data to be received, when data is received send it back
Functional Description
Serial Communication
GPIO
Quick Start
while(1){
if(!UART_Buffer_Empty){
ReadUARTData(readBuffer);//Read UART data into a buffer
SendUARTData(readBuffer);//Send that same buffer back
}
4. Connect to the PmodBLE using a BLE terminal app on your phone
5. Select a characteristic to read and write data in the BLE terminal
6. Type something into the terminal and send it
7. The PmodBLE will echo this data back
The schematics of the Pmod BLE are availablehere. For more information on the device's UART interface and RST
andGPIOpins, as well as commands and functionality refer to theRN487x User Manualand theRN487x Datasheetfrom
Microchip.
If you have any questions or comments about the Pmod BLE, feel free to post them under the appropriate section (“Addon Boards”) of theDigilent Forum.
Additional Information
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