Ublox NINA-B4 Series System Integration Manual
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Ublox NINA-B4 Series System Integration Manual

Stand-alone bluetooth 5.1 low energy modules
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NINA-B4 series
Stand-alone Bluetooth 5.1 low energy modules
System integration manual
Abstract
Used together with the respective module data sheets that describe the pinout and module
functions, this manual provides a functional overview combined with best-practice design guidelines
for integrating the short-range module in an end product. With several supporting examples, the
document explains how applications are developed for NINA-B4 open cpu solutions using the Nordic
SDK. It also describes the options for flashing the u-connectXpress module software in production
environments.
UBX-19052230 - R09
C1-Public
www.u-blox.com

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  • Page 1 NINA-B4 series Stand-alone Bluetooth 5.1 low energy modules System integration manual Abstract Used together with the respective module data sheets that describe the pinout and module functions, this manual provides a functional overview combined with best-practice design guidelines for integrating the short-range module in an end product. With several supporting examples, the document explains how applications are developed for NINA-B4 open cpu solutions using the Nordic SDK.

  • Page 2: Document Information

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Document information Title NINA-B4 series Subtitle Stand-alone Bluetooth 5.1 low energy modules Document type System integration manual Document number UBX-19052230 Revision and date 25-Jan-2022 Disclosure restriction C1-Public Document status explanation Draft For functional testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Contents Document information ..........................2 Contents ................................3 Functional description ......................... 6 1.1 Overview ................................ 6 1.2 Applications ..............................7 1.3 Block diagrams ............................8 1.3.1 NINA-B40 .............................. 8 1.3.2 NINA-B41 .............................. 9 1.4 Product description ..........................10 1.4.1 NINA-B40 series ..........................10...
  • Page 4 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 2.6 Antenna interface .............................21 2.6.1 External antenna selection ......................22 2.6.2 NINA-B4x6 design-in ........................26 2.7 NFC interface .............................27 2.7.1 Battery protection ..........................28 2.8 Debug interface ............................28 2.9 General layout guidelines ........................29 2.9.1 General considerations for schematic design and PCB floor-planning .........29 2.9.2 Layout and manufacturing ......................29...
  • Page 5 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual B.1 Reference design for external antennas (U.FL connector) ..............56 B.1.1 Floor plan ............................57 B.1.2 RF trace specification ........................57 Related documents ........................... 59 Revision history ............................60 Contact ................................61 UBX-19052230 - R09 Contents Page 5 of 61...

  • Page 6: Functional Description

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Functional description 1.1 Overview The NINA-B4 series is comprised of small, standalone Bluetooth low energy wireless modules featuring full Bluetooth 5.1. Based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52833 chip that includes an integrated RF core and powerful Arm®...

  • Page 7: Applications

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Table 2 describes the different models in the NINA-B41 series. Model Description NINA-B410 Bluetooth 5.1 module that includes a powerful Arm® Cortex®-M4 with FPU and delivers state-of-the-art power performance. All NINA-B41 variants have u-connectXpress software pre-flashed.

  • Page 8: Block Diagrams

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 1.3 Block diagrams Block diagrams of the NINA-B40 and NINA-B41 module designs are shown in Figure 1 Figure 1.3.1 NINA-B40 A block diagram of the NINA-B40 open-cpu module design showing the alternative U.FL connector...

  • Page 9: Nina-B41

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 1.3.2 NINA-B41 A block diagram of the NINA-B4 u-connect module design showing the alternative U.FL connector (B410), antenna pin (B411), and PCB trace antenna (B416) solutions is shown in Figure ☞ NINA-B410 modules support a U.FL connector to accommodate an external antenna. The module size is 10 x 15 x 2.2 mm.

  • Page 10: Product Description

    10.0 x 15.0 mm Table 4: NINA-B4 series characteristics summary 1.5 Hardware options Except for the different antenna solutions, NINA-B4 series modules use an identical hardware architecture based on nRF52833. 1.6 Software options NINA-B4 modules are integrated with an Arm® Cortex®-M4 application processor with FPU, 512 kB flash memory and 128 kB RAM.

  • Page 11: Open Cpu

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual The structure of any software running on either NINA-B4 module variant includes the following components: • Radio stack • Bootloader (optional) • Application software Figure 3 shows the software architecture and implementation of software components for NINA-B40 and NINA-B41 modules: •...

  • Page 12: U-Connectxpress Software

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Feature Support 3 x SPI 40 x GPIO pins 8 x ADC channels 1 x USB 2 x I2C 1 x I2S 4 x PWM 1 x QDEC Security Secure boot ready Secure Simple Pairing...

  • Page 13: U-Connectlocate Software

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual See also u-connectXpress software. 1.6.3 u-connectLocate software u-connectLocate is direction finding software from u-blox. The software runs on all NINA-B41x module variants that are enabled for Bluetooth Direction Finding. The ordering numbers for all module variants equipped with this software end with the suffix -4xB.

  • Page 14: Low Power Clock

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Figure 5: NINA-B41 pin assignments ☞ For more information about the pin assignments, see also the NINA-B41 series data sheet [3]. 1.9 Low power clock NINA-B4 modules use a 32.768 kHz low power clock to enable different sleep modes.

  • Page 15: Internal Oscillator

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual ☞ The specifications for external LFXO sources are described in the electrical specifications of the respective data sheet [2][3]. 1.9.2 Internal oscillator Choosing to use NINA-B4 modules with the internal oscillator makes for a leaner BOM reduces the cost to end users.

  • Page 16: Design-In

    2.2.2 Digital I/O interfaces reference voltage (VCC_IO) On NINA-B4 series modules, the I/O voltage level is the same as the supply voltage and VCC_IO is internally connected to the supply input VCC. When using NINA-B4 with a battery, the I/O voltage level varies with battery output voltage. The battery voltage depends on the battery “state of charge”.

  • Page 17: System Function Interfaces

    It is best practice to include bypass capacitors on the supply rails close to the NINA-B4 series module. Depending on the design of the power routing on the host system, capacitance might not be needed. 2.2.3.2 Switched Mode Power Supply A Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS) is ideal in situations where the available primary supply source has more than a moderately higher value than the operating supply voltage of the module.

  • Page 18: Serial Interfaces

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 2.4 Serial interfaces ⚠ As NINA B4 can be used with both the u-connectXpress and open CPU based applications based on the Nordic SDK, the available interfaces and pin mapping vary. See also Pin configurations and functions.

  • Page 19: I2C Interface

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 2.4.3 I2C interface The (NINA-B40 only) Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C) interface can be used to transfer or receive data on a 2-wire bus network. NINA-B40 can operate as both master and slave on the I2C bus using both standard (100 kbps) and fast (400 kbps) transmission speeds.

  • Page 20: Analog Interfaces

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 2.5.1 Analog interfaces NINA-B40 modules have 40 GPIO pins, 10 of which can be multiplexed to analog functions. The following analog functions are available for use: • 1x 8-channel ADC • 1x Analog comparator* •...

  • Page 21: Antenna Interface

    A list of u-blox-approved external antennas, together with regulatory information for NINA-B4x0 and NINA-B4x1, can be found in the NINA-B4 series certification application note [8]. ☞ Although customers are actively encouraged to add their own antennas and connector designs, all custom antenna and connector designs must be approved by u-blox and in some cases, tested.

  • Page 22: External Antenna Selection

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 2.6.1 External antenna selection Designers are encouraged to consider one of the u-blox certified antennas and follow the layout requirements outlined below: • External antennas, such as linear monopole antennas: External antennas do not impose any physical restrictions on the design of the PCB where the module is mounted.
  • Page 23 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Item Requirements Remarks Efficiency > -1.5 dB ( > 70% ) The radiation efficiency is the ratio of the radiated power against the power recommended delivered to the antenna input; the efficiency is a measure of how well an antenna receives or transmits.
  • Page 24 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual ☞ A de-facto standard for SMA connectors implies the usage of reverse polarity connectors (RP- SMA) on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth end products to make it more difficult for end users to replace the antenna with higher gain versions that exceed the regulatory limits.
  • Page 25 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Figure 6 shows the design options for PCB transmission lines, where: • Microstrip: trace coupled to a single ground plane, separated by dielectric material. • Coplanar microstrip: trace coupled to ground plane and adjacent conductors, separated by dielectric materials).

  • Page 26: Nina-B4X6 Design-In

    4. Connect these pads to GND. Detailed dimensions of the footprint, including those related to these GND pads, can be found in the NINA-B4 series data sheet [2]. • To avoid degradation of the antenna characteristics, do not place physically tall or large components closer than 10 mm to the module antenna.

  • Page 27: Nfc Interface

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Figure 7 shows the ground plane on both sides of the module and the antenna “keep-out” area on all layers. Figure 7: Extended host ground plane outside NINA-B4x6 Figure 8: NINA-B4x6 keep out area 2.7 NFC interface...

  • Page 28: Battery Protection

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual The NFC antenna coil must be connected differentially between the NFC1 and NFC2 pins of the device. Two external capacitors should be used to tune the resonance of the antenna circuit to 13.56 MHz.

  • Page 29: General Layout Guidelines

    VDD_IO references are needed for the SWD interface to work. Figure 10: Cortex debug connector pin out for SWD 2.9 General layout guidelines The best practices described in these guidelines are valid for any bus in NINA-B4 series modules. 2.9.1 General considerations for schematic design and PCB floor-planning •...

  • Page 30: Thermal Guidelines

    2.9.3 Thermal guidelines NINA-B4 series modules have been successfully tested from –40 °C to +105 °C. NINA-B4 modules are low-power devices that generate only a small amount of heat during operation. A good grounding should still be observed for temperature relief during high ambient temperatures.
  • Page 31 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Contact discharges are performed at conductive surfaces, while air discharges are performed at insulating surfaces. Indirect contact discharges are performed on the measurement setup horizontal and vertical coupling planes as defined in CENELEC EN 61000-4-2.

  • Page 32: Open Cpu Software

    IAR embedded workbench IDE, as well as a GCC compiler that supports many platforms and languages. 3.1.1 Getting started with the Nordic SDK When working with the Nordic SDK on the NINA-B4 series module, follow the steps below to get started with the Nordic Semiconductor toolchain and examples: Download and install the nRF Connect that includes an embedded Programmer app for programming over SWD.
  • Page 33 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual An example of what a custom board support file could look like for the EVK-NINA-B4 can be found in the u-blox short range GitHub repository [20]. The custom board can then be selected by adding a define of the symbol to your build.

  • Page 34: Adding A Board Configuration To Your Project

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Modify the “BOARD_” definition to define the BOARD_CUSTOM. Figure 13: Modifying the board definition in SEGGER Embedded Studio 3.1.2 Adding a board configuration to your project Another flexible way of adding a board to your project can be to add a new build configuration to your Segger Studio project and then use this to select the correct board file for your build.

  • Page 35: Zephyr

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Configure the build configuration to use your board definition. Remember to undefine the configuration for the original board, assuming you are basing your project on an example from the Nordic nRF5 SDK. Figure 15: Configure the build configuration The build is now configured for use with your custom board file.

  • Page 36: Board Configuration In Zephyr

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 3.2.2 Board configuration in Zephyr The Zephyr OS is similar to Linux in many respects. It uses a similar structure of files and config make files as the Linux kernel and also uses a device tree file to set up the pin mapping for your board.

  • Page 37: Flashing Open Cpu Software

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 3.5 Flashing open CPU software Modules with an open CPU configuration can be flashed using various utility programs over the SWD or UART interface. 3.5.1 Flashing over the SWD interface To flash NINA-B4 modules over the Serial Wire Debug (SWD) interface an external debugger must be connected to the SWD interface of the module.
  • Page 38 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual In the nRF Connect Programmer, drag and drop the hex files you want to program into the GUI and then write them to the module using the GUI, as shown in Error! Reference source not found..
  • Page 39 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 3.5.2.1 Building applications to be flashed using the bootloader To flash an application to the module without destroying the master boot record (MBR) that is preflashed in the factory, the start address in flash must be changed to...
  • Page 40 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 3.5.2.4 Hardware prerequisites for using the bootloader To use the pre flashed bootloader the HW pins for UART and SWITCH_2 need to be mapped according Table 18. This is the same pin mapping used by the u-connectXpress software.

  • Page 41: U-Connectxpress Software

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual u-connectXpress software NINA-B41 modules come preflashed with the u-connectXpress software and a bootloader. To ensure that the module only boots with the original u-blox software, the secure bootloader initiates a signature verification on the flashed software binary before it is booted.
  • Page 42 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 5. Select Tools > Software Update. 6. Check that the correct COM port is shown in “Settings”. Select File and choose the NINA-B41X- file from the unzipped u-connectXpress container. CF-<version>.json 7. Select Update. The module then reboots using the secure bootloader and flashing of both the SoftDevice and application starts automatically.
  • Page 43 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Prerequisites As a prerequisite to updating software using AT commands, you must open the JSON file included in the download container and make note of the defined values to be parsed with the update command.
  • Page 44 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Parameter Type Description <name> String The name of the firmware. Maximum string length is 22. String <flags> Permissions for using the firmware image. Permission flags are marked in UNIX style: "rwx" is the default flag for the u-connectXpress software.
  • Page 45 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 4.1.1.2.2 Updating u-connectXpress connectivity software only ☞ You can send AT text commands to NINA-B4 to execute tasks using open-source terminal emulator software that supports XMODEM, like TeraTerm or ExtraPuTTy. Alternatively, you can send all AT commands described in this section using the s-center software in AT mode. See also the s-center user guide [22].
  • Page 46 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 4.1.1.2.3 Updating both the SoftDevice and u-connectXpress connectivity software The SoftDevice is updated with AT commands using dual-banked approach, and as a SoftDevice update overwrites the application currently flashed in the module it is also necessary to flash the ConnectivitySoftware application after the SoftDevice update.
  • Page 47 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 4. Store the SoftDevice signature. Enter the configuration action command together with the SoftDevice values for defined in the file <imageid> <signature> NINA-B41X-CF-<version>.json signature file. Note particularly that the of the NINA B31X-SI-x.x.x-xxx.txt <image id>...

  • Page 48: Low Frequency Clock Source

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual NINA-B4 returns a series of ‘C’ characters for as long as the bootloader is running. CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC 10. While the bootloader is running, send the u-connectXpress NINA-B41X-SW-x.y.z-<buildnr>.bin file to NINA-B4. The file is sent using XMODEM protocol.

  • Page 49: Handling And Soldering

    5.2 Packaging, shipping, storage, and moisture preconditioning For information pertaining to reels, tapes or trays, moisture sensitivity levels (MSL), shipment and storage, as well as drying for preconditioning, refer to the respective NINA-B4 series data sheet [2] [3] and Packaging information reference guide [1].

  • Page 50: Reflow Soldering Process

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 5.3.1 Reflow soldering process NINA-B4 series modules are surface mounted devices supplied in a Land Grid Array (LGA) package with gold-plated solder lands. The modules are manufactured in a lead-free process with lead-free soldering paste.

  • Page 51: Cleaning

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 5.3.2 Cleaning Cleaning the modules is not recommended. Residues underneath the modules cannot be easily removed with a washing process. • Cleaning with water will lead to capillary effects where water is absorbed in the gap between the baseboard and the module.

  • Page 52: Product Testing

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Product testing 6.1 u-blox in-line production testing As part of our focus on high quality products, u-blox maintain stringent quality controls throughout the production process. This means that all units in our manufacturing facilities are fully tested and that any identified defects are carefully analyzed to improve future production quality.

  • Page 53: Oem Manufacturer Production Test

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual 6.2 OEM manufacturer production test As all u-blox products undergo thorough in-series production testing prior to delivery, OEM manufacturers do not need to repeat any firmware tests or measurements that might otherwise be necessary to confirm RF performance. Testing over analog and digital interfaces is also unnecessary during an OEM production test.

  • Page 54: Appendix

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Appendix A Glossary Abbreviation Definition Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Analog to Digital Converter Automatic Test Equipment Bluetooth Low Energy Clear To Send Data/Command Signal Device Firmware Update Dual-Data Rate Electro Magnetic Compatibility Electro Magnetic Interference...
  • Page 55 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Abbreviation Definition Surface-Mount Technology Serial Peripheral Interface Serial Wire Debug Thread Networking protocol for Internet of Things (IoT) "smart" home automation devices to communicate on a local wireless mesh network Through-Hole Technology Transmit Data...

  • Page 56: B Antenna Reference Designs

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual B Antenna reference designs Designers can take full advantage of the Single-Modular Transmitter certification approval of NINA-B4 by integrating the u-blox reference design for these modules into their products. This approach requires compliance with the following rules: •...

  • Page 57: Floor Plan

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual B.1.1 Floor plan Figure 24 shows where the critical components and copper traces are positioned on the reference design. Figure 24: NINA-B401/B411 antenna reference design Reference Part Manufacturer Description NINA-B401/B411 u-blox NINA-B4 module with antenna pin U.FL-R-SMT-1(10)
  • Page 58 NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Reference Item Value Spacing 200 +/- 50 μm Conductor width 300 +/- 30 μm (match as close to 50 Ω as possible) Copper and plating/surface 35 +/- 15 μm coating thickness Conductor height 150 +/- 20 μm 3.77 +/- 0.5 @ 2 GHz...

  • Page 59: Related Documents

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Related documents Packaging information reference, UBX-14001652 NINA-B4 series data sheet, UBX-19049405 NINA-B41 series data sheet, UBX-20035327 NINA-B40 series, product summary, UBX-19047297 NINA-B41 series, product summary, UBX-20045962 u-connectXpress AT commands manual, UBX-14044127 NINA nested design and migration, application note,...

  • Page 60: Revision History

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Revision history Revision Date Name Comments 12-Dec-2019 fbro,mape Initial release. 14-Jan-2020 mape Minor corrections. 27-Mar-2020 hisa Updated NINA-B400 product status to “Prototype”. Updated front page module images. 20-Nov-2020 lber Updated the product status of NINA-B400 and NINA-B406 variants from “Prototype”...

  • Page 61: Ubx-19052230 - R09

    NINA-B4 series - System integration manual Contact For complete contact information, visit us at www.u-blox.com. u-blox Offices North, Central and South America Headquarters Asia, Australia, Pacific Europe, Middle East, Africa u-blox America, Inc. u-blox Singapore Pte. Ltd. u-blox AG Phone:...

This manual is also suitable for:

Nina-b400Nina-b401Nina-b406Nina-b410Nina-b411Nina-b416

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