Table of Contents
Advertisement
Quick Links
NORA-B2 series
Stand-alone Bluetooth® Low Energy modules
System integration manual
Abstract
Targeted towards hardware and software engineers, this document describes how to integrate
NORA-B2 series stand-alone Bluetooth® Low Energy module in an application product. It explains
the hardware design-in, software, component handling, regulatory compliance, and testing of the
modules. It also lists the external antennas approved for use with the module.
UBXDOC-465451970-3345 - R02
C1-Public
www.u-blox.com
Advertisement
Table of Contents
Related Manuals for Ublox NORA-B2 Series
Summary of Contents for Ublox NORA-B2 Series
- Page 1 Abstract Targeted towards hardware and software engineers, this document describes how to integrate NORA-B2 series stand-alone Bluetooth® Low Energy module in an application product. It explains the hardware design-in, software, component handling, regulatory compliance, and testing of the modules. It also lists the external antennas approved for use with the module.
-
Page 2: Document Information
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Document information Title NORA-B2 series Subtitle Stand-alone Bluetooth® Low Energy modules Document type System integration manual Document number UBXDOC-465451970-3345 Revision and date 19-Feb-2025 Disclosure sensitivity C1-Public Document status descriptions Draft For functional testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later. -
Page 3: Table Of Contents
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Contents Document information ..........................2 Contents ................................3 Product overview ........................... 6 Module integration ..........................7 2.1 Power supply ..............................8 2.1.1 VCC application circuits ........................8 2.2 System functions ............................9 2.2.1 Power modes ............................9 2.2.2 Module reset ............................ - Page 4 NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 3.5 ESD guidelines ............................25 3.6 Design-in checklists ..........................26 3.6.1 Schematic checklist .........................26 3.6.2 Layout checklist ..........................26 Open CPU software ..........................27 4.1 nRF Connect SDK ............................27 4.1.1 Installation ............................27 4.1.2 Custom board support configuration ...................27 4.1.3 Support –...
- Page 5 NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Related documents ........................... 41 Revision history ............................42 Contact ................................42 UBXDOC-465451970-3345 - R02 Contents Page 5 of 42 C1-Public...
-
Page 6: Product Overview
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Product overview Based on the Nordic nRF54L15, nRF54L10 and nRF54L05 chipset, the NORA-B2 series of small stand-alone modules includes an Arm® Cortex®-M33 processor, with floating-point unit (FPU), digital signal processor (DSP) instruction set, and CryptoCell™-312 security architecture. It also features a 128 MHz RISC-V coprocessor and scalable memory configurations of up to 1.5 MB non-... -
Page 7: Module Integration
Bluetooth® LE and IEEE 802.15.4 wireless radio with Thread®, Matter™ and Zigbee™. NORA-B2 series modules support a wide range of IO interfaces, such as GPIO, UART, SPI, I2C, PWM, I2S, NFC, and QDEC to connect to external peripherals. -
Page 8: Power Supply
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Figure 2 shows how to control NORA-B2 series modules through a host CPU and interface connections. Figure 2: Example of NORA-B2 integration in a host system with external CPU. RAM and flash size dependent on variant Connect NORA-B2 to a HOST system via UART to add BLE communication capabilities to host application product. -
Page 9: System Functions
If decoupling capacitors are needed on the supply rails, it is best practice to position these as close as possible to the NORA-B2 series module. The power routing of some host system designs makes decoupling capacitance unnecessary. -
Page 10: External Crystal
32.768 kHz low-frequency crystal oscillator (LFXO) with NORA-B2 series modules to achieve the lowest overall power consumption. To enable this oscillator in your application, connect it to pins 1 and 2 (P1.00/XL1 and P1.01/XL2). The NORA-B2 series datasheet provides the specifications for the optional LFXO. -
Page 11: Approved Antenna Designs
Designers integrating a u-blox reference design into an end-product assume sole responsibility for any unintentional emission levels produced by the end product. For Bluetooth operation, NORA-B2 series modules have been tested and approved for use with the antennas listed in the pre-approved antennas list. -
Page 12: Data Interfaces
2.4.1 Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) NORA-B2 series modules include a UART interface for data communication and firmware upgrade. The UART can continue operating while the processor is in low-power mode if an appropriate peripheral clock is available. The UART supports the following signals: •... -
Page 13: Inter-Ic Sound Interface (I2S)
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 2.4.4 Inter-IC Sound interface (I2S) NORA-B2 includes an I2S interface with two-channel format and left- and right-aligned formats. Simultaneous bidirectional audio streaming • Original I2S and left- or right-aligned formats • 32-, 24-, 6-, and 8-bit sample widths •... -
Page 14: Debug Interfaces
Table 3: SWD signals 2.7.2 NORA-B2 series modules provide a Debug Access Port (DAP) to debug and trace the core system of the module. On NORA-B2 series modules, the SWD interface is used as the external connection interface of DAP. -
Page 15: Design-In
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Design-in Follow the design guidelines in this chapter to optimize the integration of NORA-B2 series modules in the final application board. 3.1 Overview All application circuits must be properly designed, but several points require special attention during the application design. - Page 16 NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Adhere to the following guidelines to ensure proper performance of the application product: • External antennas, including, linear monopole classes: Place the module and antenna in any convenient area on the board. External antennas don’t impose any restriction on where the module is placed on the PCB.
-
Page 17: Rf Transmission Line Design
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 3.2.2 RF transmission line design RF transmission lines connecting the ANT pad with the related antenna connector or antenna, must be designed with a 50 impedance characteristic. Figure 4 shows the design options for PCB transmission lines, where: •... -
Page 18: Nora-B2X1
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual • FR-4 dielectric material, despite its high losses at high frequencies, can be considered in RF designs – provided that: RF trace length must be minimized to reduce dielectric losses. If traces longer than a few centimeters are needed, the use of a coaxial connector and cable to reduce losses is recommended. - Page 19 NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Typically, the RF plug is available as a cable assembly. Different types of cable assemblies are available, and the user should select the cable assembly best suited for the application. The key characteristics of an appropriate plug include: •...
-
Page 20: Nora-B2X6
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual • Proper placement of the antenna and its surroundings is also critical for antenna performance. Avoid placing the antenna close to conductive or RF-absorbing parts, such as metal objects and ferrite sheets, as these may absorb part of the radiated power, shift the resonant frequency of the antenna, or otherwise affect the antenna radiation pattern. -
Page 21: General Layout Guidelines
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Figure 6 shows the ground plane on both sides of the module and the antenna “keep-out” area on all layers. Figure 6: Extended host ground plane outside NORA-B206 3.3 General layout guidelines This section describes the best practice for the schematic design and circuit layout of the application. -
Page 22: Component Placement
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 3.3.2 Component placement • Place the module such that it provides optimum RF performance. This includes short low loss antenna connections and unobstructed antenna placement. For more information about the module placement and other antenna considerations, see also Antenna Integration. -
Page 23: Module Footprint And Paste Mask
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 3.4 Module footprint and paste mask Figure 7 shows the recommended stencil design for the copper pad layout in NORA-B2x1. The proposed land pattern layout complements the pin layout of the module. Both Solder Mask Defined (SMD) and Non-Solder Mask Defined (NSMD) pins can be used –... - Page 24 NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Figure 8 shows the recommended stencil design for the copper pad layout in NORA-B2x6. The proposed land pattern layout complements the pin layout of the module. Both Solder Mask Defined (SMD) and Non-Solder Mask Defined (NSMD) pins can be used with adherence to the following considerations: •...
-
Page 25: Esd Guidelines
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 3.5 ESD guidelines Device immunity against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) is a requirement for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) conformance and use of the CE marking for products intended for sale in Europe. To bear the CE mark, all application products integrating u-blox modules must be conformance tested in accordance with the R&TTE Directive (99/5/EC), the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) and the Low... -
Page 26: Design-In Checklists
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 3.6 Design-in checklists 3.6.1 Schematic checklist All module pins are properly numbered and designated in the schematic (including thermal pins). Power supply design complies with the specification. Adequate bypassing is included in front of each power pin. -
Page 27: Open Cpu Software
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Open CPU software NORA-B2 series modules are delivered without any pre-flashed software. It needs to be loaded with an application to be functional. Nordic Semiconductor provides the nRF Connect SDK that can be used for development of applications for the NORA-B2 module. -
Page 28: Uicr Registers
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 4.3 UICR registers The chip in the NORA-B2 modules includes a set of registers called the UICR, User Information Configuration. The registers are used to hold various device data, like the serial number and other useful information, during customer production. -
Page 29: Radio Test Software
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 4.7 Radio test software This chapter describes the various test procedures for NORA-B2, including: • General radio testing • Bluetooth specific testing using Direct Test Mode (DTM) • 802.15.4 testing These test methods involve the use of sample applications... -
Page 30: Direct Test Mode Sample
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 4.7.2.2 Running the sample This software does not use standard signaling, so regular devices like mobile phones cannot detect its signals. Instead, use another development kit running the Radio Test software as a peer device, or test with an RSSI viewer. -
Page 31: 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 NORA-B2 series data sheet and Product packaging reference guide [1]. -
Page 32: Reflow Soldering Process
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 5.3 Reflow soldering process NORA-B2 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 33: Repeated Reflow Soldering
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 5.3.1 Repeated reflow soldering For application boards with components on both sides, a two-reflow process may be required. In such cases, NORA-B2 can be mounted in both reflow cycles. To reduce the risk of detachment due to its relatively higher weight compared to other components on the board, it is advisable to place the module on the side of the board that undergoes the final cycle. -
Page 34: Regulatory Compliance
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Regulatory compliance ⚠ Approvals pending. 6.1 Pre-approved antennas ⚠ Approvals pending. This section describes the external antennas that are pre-approved for use together with NORA-B2 series modules. The currently limited list of antennas is to be extended once the scope of the module certification is decided. -
Page 35: Technology Standards Compliance
QDID Listing date NORA-B20 RF-PHY Component (Tested) 08-Mar-2021 Table 8: NORA-B2 series Bluetooth qualified design ID The Bluetooth SIG requires the following: • All manufacturers of products that use Bluetooth technology are required to become members of the Bluetooth SIG. -
Page 36: Product Testing
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Product testing 8.1 u-blox in-line production test 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 37: Oem Manufacturer Production Test
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual 8.2 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 38: Appendix
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Appendix A Glossary Abbreviation Definition Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene Analog to Digital Converter Automatic Test Equipment (Bluetooth) Low Energy Command Line Interface Clear To Send Data Circuit-terminating Equipment / Data Communication Equipment Data/Command Signal Dual-Data Rate... - Page 39 NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Abbreviation Definition Radio Frequency RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator Real Time Clock Request to Send Receive Data Signal Clock Specification and Description Language SubMiniature version A Solder Mask Defined...
-
Page 40: B Antenna Reference Designs
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual B Antenna reference designs This information is pending. UBXDOC-465451970-3345 - R02 Appendix Page 40 of 42 C1-Public... -
Page 41: Related Documents
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Related documents Packaging information reference, UBX-20027119 NORA-B2 series data sheet, UBXDOC-1023859458-38975 NORA-B2 series product summary, Nordic nRF54L15 data sheet, https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ps_nrf54L15/page/keyfeatures_html5.html Nordic nRF54L15 Reference Manual, EVK-NORA-B2 user guide, JEDEC J-STD-020C - Moisture/Reflow Sensitivity Classification for Non Hermetic Solid State... -
Page 42: Revision History
NORA-B2 series - System integration manual Revision history Revision Date Name Comments 05-Jul-2024 lber, mape Initial version 19-Feb-2025 lber, mape Deleted Medium and Normal voltage mode from Power supply section. Revised Product overview Module integration chapters and included changes to...
Need help?
Do you have a question about the NORA-B2 Series and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers