The Texas Instruments CC2540 is a cost-effective, low-power, true system-on-chip (SoC) designed specifically for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) applications. This SoC enables the creation of robust BLE master or slave nodes while keeping the total bill-of-material (BOM) costs low.
Key Features
- Bajo consumo de energía:
- The CC2540 is designed to operate with very low power, making it ideal for battery-powered devices. It includes several low-power sleep modes and short transition times between operating modes to further reduce power consumption.
- Microcontroller and Memory:
- The core of the CC2540 is an industry-standard enhanced 8051 microcontroller (MCU). It includes in-system programmable flash memory and 8 KB of RAM.
- The CC2540 comes in two versions:
- CC2540F128: with 128 KB of Flash memory.
- CC2540F256: with 256 KB of Flash memory.
- RF Transceiver:
- It integrates an excellent RF transceiver that supports Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication.
- Peripheral Support:
- The CC2540 includes various supporting features and peripherals to enhance its functionality and versatility in different applications.
- Flexible Development:
- In-System Programmability: The CC2540 supports in-system programmability, allowing developers to update the firmware without removing the chip from the device. This feature is particularly useful for making updates or changes post-deployment.
- Extensive Development Tools: Texas Instruments provides a comprehensive suite of development tools, including evaluation modules, reference designs, software development kits (SDKs), and a range of application notes to facilitate the development process.
- Robust Security Features:
- Encryption and Authentication: The CC2540 includes built-in support for AES-128 encryption, ensuring secure data transmission over BLE. This is essential for applications requiring robust security, such as medical devices and secure home automation systems.
- Random Number Generator: The integrated random number generator enhances security by providing true randomness for cryptographic functions and secure pairing processes.
Applications
- Consumer Electronics:
- The CC2540 is suitable for a wide range of consumer electronics that require BLE connectivity and very low power consumption. Typical applications include wearable devices, health and fitness sensors, and smart home devices.
- Industrial and Commercial Applications:
- Asset Tracking: The low power consumption and robust BLE capabilities make the CC2540 ideal for asset tracking systems in warehouses, retail environments, and logistics. BLE beacons powered by the CC2540 can help track the location and movement of goods.
- Building Automation: In commercial buildings, the CC2540 can be used in smart lighting systems, HVAC control, and access control systems to enhance energy efficiency and security.
- Personal Area Networks (PAN):
- Proximity Sensing: Devices equipped with the CC2540 can be used for proximity sensing applications, such as keyless entry systems, automatic device pairing, and presence detection. This can improve user experience in consumer electronics and smart home devices.
- Personal Health Devices: Beyond fitness sensors, the CC2540 is well-suited for personal health devices like glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, and personal emergency response systems (PERS), where reliable and secure BLE communication is critical.
Additional Advantages
- Scalability: The CC2540’s different memory configurations allow for scalability across various product lines, enabling manufacturers to use the same base technology for a range of devices with different memory and performance requirements.
- Global Certification: The CC2540 is compliant with global radio frequency regulations, simplifying the process of obtaining certification for products in different regions around the world. This can significantly reduce time-to-market and development costs.
The Texas Instruments CC2540 is a robust solution for developers looking to implement BLE in their products while maintaining low power consumption and cost efficiency. Its combination of a powerful MCU, ample memory, high-performance RF transceiver, flexible development options, and robust security features makes it a strong candidate for a variety of BLE applications.