Positioning specialist u-blox has added two new Bluetooth LE modules, ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2. The modules are based on the nRF54 Series Systems-on-Chip (SoCs) from Nordic Semiconductor. They both support Bluetooth LE 5.4 and Thread/Matter technologies in a compact format.

ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 are designed for a range of IoT applications, including industrial automation, healthcare, and smart home. ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 are available as wireless MCUs. Both modules offer two antenna options: an antenna pin or an embedded PCB antenna.

ALMA-B1 is a high-end wireless MCU, while NORA-B2 brings ultra-low power to less complex applications. In the indoor positioning example, ALMA-B1 could act as an anchor point due to its processing capabilities, while the power efficiency of NORA-B2 makes it suitable for asset tracking tags.

According to u-blox, the nRF54H20 and the nRF54L15 Nordic low-power multiprotocol SoCs provide the ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 with the processing power for edge computing and machine learning without additional components. The company claims that the ALMA-B1 has more than twice the processing power of previous Bluetooth LE modules and can replace general-purpose MCUs in a compact solution.

NORA-B2 consumes up to 50% less current compared to previous generations of Bluetooth LE modules.

Designed for PSA Certified Level 3, ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 provide high levels of IoT security. In addition to features like secure boot, secure storage, secure debug interfaces, and hardware crypto accelerators, both modules include next-generation security features like physical tamper detection and protection against side-channel attacks.

 “We are thrilled to see Nordic’s latest generation of chipsets, the nRF54 Series, being integrated into these u-blox’s modules. Their full potential will undoubtedly open up a wealth of revolutionary IoT end products that were previously unfeasible. ALMA-B1’s superior power efficiency in radio and MCU processing and NORA-B2’s ultra-low power for the mass market are clear market differentiators,” said Thomas Holmberg, Regional Sales Director at Nordic Semiconductor.