One of the Embedded Bluetooth Module SPI—Blank Module

There are different types of embedded Bluetooth module SPI. About 15 years ago, when scientists released the first generation of the ZEAL series, there were still few manufacturers that handle Bluetooth, and it was an era when only large-scale projects could be sold. The Bluetooth modules available to engineers were very limited.In this paper, SKYLAB introduces the One of the embedded Bluetooth module SPI——Blank module.

Nowadays, due to technological progress and changes in the environment surrounding manufacturers, the number of manufacturers and the lineup of Bluetooth modules have increased, and the choices of engineers, for better or for worse, have increased.

Why selection mistakes have been made by engineers?

For better or for worse, it's good for engineers to have more choices, but on the other hand, with the introduction of "advanced modules" into the lineup, engineers haven't mastered the Bluetooth module SPI, and as a result. There have been cases where selection mistakes have make.

In fact, there are quite a few engineers who consult with Wireless.com because they cannot solve the problem because they make a selection without understanding the characteristics of the module.

This time, we will take up a blank module, which is one of the types of Bluetooth modules. 

What is a blank module? How is it different from the complete module?

The Bluetooth radio is the "hardware part such as Bluetooth IC and antenna" and the "software part such as protocol stack and firmware", and the Bluetooth function realizes only when these two combine. Bluetooth module SPI communication is easy to realize immediately by simply connecting to a microcomputer via UART.

Wireless.com has named it the "Complete Bluetooth Module" in the sense that it meets all the elements needed for Bluetooth. Generally speaking, when you hear the word "Bluetooth module", many engineers may imagine this complete Bluetooth module, but there are some Bluetooth modules that do not have software, that is, only hardware. We call it a blank module in the world.

Blank module needs to be made by the software departmentSince the blank module does not have software, it will not work as its purchase. You will be able to perform Bluetooth module SPI communication for the first time by creating (developing) the protocol stack and firmware yourself and writing the software to the module by yourself.On the flip side, you can freely customize the software to suit your system requirements, and the biggest feature is that you can create your own Bluetooth module.

Benefits of blank modules

First, I would like to introduce the advantages of the blank module. No need for an external microcomputer. In the case of the complete Bluetooth module, the Bluetooth module controls from the external microcomputer on which the higher-level application installs. The higher-level application itself is easy to mount on the blank module.

If the microcomputer is no longer important, the Bluetooth module SPI size is easy to reduce by the amount of space that the microcomputer is no longer important. Furthermore, the cost is easy to reduce by the unit price of the microcomputer.

Disadvantages and failure examples of blank modules

Next, I will introduce the disadvantages of the blank module and the failure example of the engineer. He chooses the blank module or Bluetooth module SPI without understanding the disadvantages. In-house firmware development is important. Increased development and maintenance costs.

There is a development cost for the software part. In addition, you will be responsible for any defects found in the software part, and management and maintenance costs will also incur.