Avnet Silica has announced the availability of Miromico’s FMLR-8x-x-STLx LoRa IoT modules that run a fully compatible Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0 stack using Semtech’s 2.4GHz SX1280 LoRa transceiver.

This does not require any additional BLE 5.0 device. Target IoT applications include track and trace, building automation, construction monitoring, mining, farming, telemetry and remote data logging.

Using Semtech’s LoRa 2.4GHz technology, Swiss firm Miromico provides a firmware platform that allows multiple wireless protocols running on the same microcontroller, such as LoRa and BLE 5.0. The combination of both technologies in the same wireless module enables commissioning, configuration, local data monitoring or firmware update of IoT devices using smartphones, tablets, car navigation systems or other iOS or Android-based devices.

After the initialisation process, it operates LoRa 2.4GHz long-range applications anywhere in the world. For such dual-protocol use-cases, standard IoT devices usually require integrating separate BLE chipsets to connect to the mobile phones. After the initial setup during deployment, these additional BLE chipsets become redundant.

“Full BLE 5.0 support as a firmware option for our SX1280-based 2.4GHz LoRa modules and products is a game-changer for developers implementing IoT technologies,” said Marcel Wappler, CTO of Miromico. “It enables new unique applications with very low additional costs compared to hardware-based BLE. Our first goal was to provide the most important BLE peripheral role to our customers, and we are delighted that Avnet Silica is now stocking BLE-ready SX1280 modules and dev kits.”

Marco Giegerich, director of business development in Emea at Avnet Silica, added: “Miromico is a key partner for Avnet Silica and now, with the addition of BLE 5.0 support in the modules based on Semtech’s LoRa 2.4GHz technology, further unique market opportunities are available.”

The module-family is available with multiple options, including extra onboard flash memory to enable over-the-air (OTA) updates and local data buffering in times when cloud connectivity is temporarily unavailable.

Using Miro Edge 2.4GHz LoRa gateways, the modules support Semtech’s metre-accuracy, active-radar-based ranging and localisation technology for indoor and outdoor environments. Further supported high-bitrate modulation schemes include the robust and bandwidth-efficient FLRC and (G)FSK.

BLE allows bi-directional communications with smartphones, tablets, gadgets and more. Optional low-power high precision temperature compensated oscillators (TCXO) for both RTC and radio are also available. The module’s firmware, including the wireless stack, can be updated via SWD, uart bootloader or optional firmware OTA to support fast prototyping and development.

Avnet Silica is a semiconductor technology distributor with European headquarters in Belgium.