SHORT RANGE
OBS421
Dual-mode Bluetooth serial port module
Highlights
• Bluetooth v4.0 with Bluetooth low energy and
Classic Bluetooth (Bluetooth Smart Ready)
• Embedded dual-mode Bluetooth stack (SPP, DUN, PAN, GATT)
• u-blox Low Energy Serial Port Service
• GATT support for Bluetooth Smart
• Wireless Multidrop™ with 7 slaves
OBS421:
16 x 36 x 3 mm
Product description
The OBS421 is a complete dual-mode Bluetooth (Bluetooth
Smart Ready) module with UART logic level interface for transparent serial data transmissions. The module can thus send serial
data both through Classic Bluetooth via the Serial Port Profile
(SPP) and Bluetooth low energy via the u-blox Low Energy Serial
Port Service.
used in applications where a smartphone, tablet or laptop is to
connect to a serial device such as a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).
With the Bluetooth stack embedded, you can be up and running
quickly as there is no need for a driver or stack in your host. The
module is fully Bluetooth qualified and provides modular radio
type approvals for the US, Europe, Japan and Canada (FCC,
R&TTE, MIC, IC). The OBS421 is also compliant with EMC, Safety
and Medical standards.
In addition, the OBS421 can be used as a Bluetooth Smart
Ready client for any host and to access any Bluetooth Smart
device that implements services based on the Generic Attribute
Profile (GATT). In other words, the OBS421 can connect to any
Bluetooth low energy sensor to get access the device’s standard
services or other implemented custom services such as a Battery
Service or an Automation I/O Service. The OBS421 can also be
The robust module provides a plug-and-play solution to replace
conventional serial cables up to 300 meters and throughput
up to 1.3 Mbps. The operating temperature range is –30°C to
+85°C.
Product selector
G = GATT
D = DUN
H = HCI
S = SPP
P = PAN
UBX-14005327 - R02
6 dBm 200 m
E
19 dBm 500 m 1-13 36-165 B
E = External antenna
I/E = Internal / External antenna
I/E/S = Internal / External / solder pad antenna
18
4
Customer application platform
7
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7
•
• • • LE
•
•
•
•
• •
• • •
•
• W/LE
W
B = Bluetooth
W = WLAN / Wi-Fi
Production Information
12 mA
0.6 mA
0.4 μA
•
•
•
350 kbps
950 kbps
26 kbps
1
3
•
1
3
Sec
LE = Bluetooth Low Energy
Sec= WPA2, Enterprise, EAP-TLS
iOS connectivity
•
1.3 Mbps
Android connectivity
1.3 Mbps
Quality of Service (QoS)
•
Wi-Fi Security
•
0.6 mA
Ultra low power
Extended Data Mode protocol
I/E
Max number of slaves
a,b,g,n
AT command support
H
Throughput
G
v4.0
Solder pads
v4.0
ODIN-W160
•
•
Board-to-board
OLP425
9
11
Features
0.6 mA
Current consumption (idle)
6 dBm 200 m
v4.0
9
Connectors
•
Power supply: 3.1 - 3.5 V
8 dBm 150 m
I/E
OLS425
7
Power supply: 3.0 - 6.0 V
I/E
OBS419
Power supply: 2.0 - 3.6 V
v2.1 +EDR SDP
• •
•
•
•
• •
AD converters
8 dBm 150 m
Power
USB
I/E
CAN
SD
GPIO pins
v2.1
SDIO
OBS418
UART
9
21
SPI
•
I/E 13 dBm 300 m
5 GHz channels
I/E 13 dBm 300 m
SDG
2.4 GHz channels
SDPG
v4.0
Range
v4.0
OBP421
Antenna type
OBS421
Wi-Fi version
Bluetooth profiles
Interfaces
RMII
Radio
Max output power incl. antenna
Standard Specs
Bluetooth qualification
Model
• •
Features
Package
Bluetooth v4.0 (Bluetooth low energy and
Classic Bluetooth)
Dimensions
16.0 x 36.0 x 3.2 mm (internal antenna)
16.0 x 36.0 x 2.6 mm (external antenna)
Range 250 m, internal antenna
300 m, external antenna
Weight
2g
Output power
11 dBm, internal antenna
13 dBm, external antenna
Throughput
1.3 Mbps (Classic Bluetooth)
Mounting Mounting holes
Machine mountable
Board-to-board connector
Solder land pads
Environmental data, quality & reliability
Operating temperature –30°C to +85°C
Software features
Embedded software
u-blox Bluetooth stack
Serial port application
Certifications and approvals
Bluetooth profiles u-blox Low Energy Serial Port Service
& services
Generic Attribute Profile (GATT)
Serial Port Profile (SPP)
Dial-up networking Profile (DUN GW, DUN DT)
Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)
roles: PANU & NAP
Profile roles
Central Role, Peripheral Role
Max. number of slaves 7 Classic Bluetooth only
3 Classic Bluetooth & Bluetooth low energy
Configuration tools
AT commands via Bluetooth or serial port Serial Port Toolbox (Windows-based SW)
Low Emission Mode® Prevent disrupting other 2.4GHz radios
Wireless Multidrop™ Possible with simultaneous connections to
Bluetooth low energy and Classic
Bluetooth devices.
Extended Data Mode™ Separated multipoint data channels
Quality of Service (QoS)
Repeater functionality Extended range
Security
Simple Pairing
Android connectivity
SPP/PAN Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth
low energy connections with Android
devices (Android 4.3 and higher)
iOS connectivity Supports Bluetooth low energy
connections with iOS devices
Supports Classic Bluetooth connections
with iOS devices*
Electrical data
Type approvals
Europe (ETSI R&TTE)
US (FCC/CFR 47 part 15 unlicensed modular transmitter approval)
Canada (IC RSS)
Japan (MIC - formerly TELEC)
R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC
Effective use of frequency spectrum:
EN 300 328
EMC: EN 301 489-1, EN 301 489-17,
EN 61000-6-2
Health and safety: EN 62479,
EN 60950-1, IEC 60950-1
Medical Electrical Equipment
IEC 60601-1-2
Bluetooth Qualification v4.0
Support products
EVK-OBS421
cB–OBS421i–26–B (order number):
OBS421i-24 module with additional JST
connector, USB module adapter (installs
virtual COM-port), USB extension cable,
JST to flying leads cable, configuration
software
USB Accessory kit
cB–ACC–41 (order number): USB module
adapter (installs virtual COM-port), USB
extension cable, configuration software
Ordering information
RF power supply
3.0 to 6.0 VDC
cB–OBS421i–24
OBS421 (rev B) with internal antenna
Power consumption
0.6 mA @3.0V (min.)
44 mA @3.0V (average Tx)
cB–OBS421x–24
OBS421 (rev B) with u.fl. connector for
external antenna
Interfaces
Modules with iAP support for Classic Bluetooth connections
to Apple iOS devices*:
UART Logic level
cB–OBS421i–i4
OBS421 (rev B) with iAP support and
internal antenna
cB–OBS421x–i4
OBS421 (rev B) with iAP support and u.fl.
connector for external antenna
RS232 (option via external transceiver)
RS422/485 (option via external transceiver)
Baud rate
Max 1.5 Mbit/s
Support for non-standard baud rates
Flow control
CTS/RTS (hardware) or none
GPIO pins
9
* All current OBS421 module versions support Apple iOS connections via Bluetooth low energy. Classic Bluetooth connections are supported only by OBS421 versions with iAP support,
but other special requirements also apply, see http://tinyurl.com/ndk6vj2.
U.fl antenna connector (external antenna version only)
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The information contained herein is provided “as is”. No warranty of any kind, either express or implied, is
made in relation to the accuracy, reliability, fitness for a particular purpose or content of this document. This
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Copyright © 2014, u-blox AG
UBX-14005327 - R02
Production Information
www.u-blox.com