Cypress introduces low-power dual-mode Bluetooth 5.0 and BLE MCU prototypes

     Cypress has introduced two low-power dual-mode Bluetooth 5.0 and Bluetooth Low Power (BLE) MCU prototypes to support building Bluetooth Mesh networks in the Internet of Things. Two new MCUS models, CYW20819 and CYW20820, offer both Bluetooth 5.0 audio and BLE connectivity, a low-power wireless solution that enables music transmission and voice command control for battery-powered sports bands, health monitoring devices and voice remote devices.

     Designers can also use the solution to develop low-cost, low-power Bluetooth Mesh networking devices that can communicate with each other through a simple, comprehensive, hub-free Bluetooth connection that also enables network communication between smartphones, tablets, and home voice assistants.

     The CYW20819 Bluetooth /BLE MCU is capable of maintaining both SSP (Serial port Configuration) protocol connectivity and Bluetooth Mesh connectivity. The CYW20820 has the same features as the CYW20819, but integrates a power amplifier with a maximum output power of 10dBm for long-range applications up to 400m, as well as full coverage in the home range. While providing traditional Bluetooth connectivity for tablets and smartphones, the CYW20820 also builds low-power, standards-compliant Mesh networks for sensor-based smart home or enterprise applications.

     Powered by the Arm® Cortex-M4 core, the CYW20820 delivers 60% lower power consumption when connected to a 200ms Beacon compared to existing solutions, and industry-leading battery life of up to 123 days with a CR2032 button battery. As a result, it is ideal for wearables, sensors, remote controls, smart home lighting, and medical devices, and it is compatible forward and backward with dual-mode human machine interface (HID) devices such as mice and keyboards.

     Brian Bedrosian, vice president of marketing for the Internet of Things, Computing and Wireless Connectivity division at Cypress, said: "Providing more comfortable features such as voice control, music and audio coaching for exercise bands and health monitoring devices has always come at the expense of battery life. However, Cypress's latest Bluetooth Low Energy MCU solves this problem. Cypress has an industry-leading portfolio of iot connectivity products, and the new MCU is an important addition to that portfolio. A low-power, high-performance, cost-effective solution that meets the stringent reliability requirements of interoperable Bluetooth Mesh applications, voice control, and audio-enabled wearables."

     Previously, without an additional connection relay, the user could only control the Bluetooth device if it was in the vicinity. However, thanks to Bluetooth Mesh networking technology and an integrated high-performance power amplifier, the CYW20820 helps devices within the network communicate with each other, making it easy to achieve full coverage in the home, allowing users to easily control all of their devices from apps on their phones, tablets and smart speakers.

     Cypress ModusToolbox™ development tool supports the development of CYW20819 and CYW20820 MCUS, providing sample code and applications for Bluetooth Mesh networking and sensor suites. Cypress also offers CYW20719, CYW20706 and CYW20735 BLE solutions as well as CYW43438, CYW43570 Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth Combo solutions to create Wi-Fi-based and fully Bluetooth compatible Mesh networks for smart home devices.