u-blox announces its first Bluetooth LE stand-alone automotive module

u-blox, a global provider of positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, has announced the u-blox NINA-B5 Bluetooth LE series of stand-alone modules. Based on the NXP KW45 chipset, the NINA-B5 series is the first u-blox Bluetooth Low Energy stand-alone automotive module, comprising a powerful wireless MCU featuring Bluetooth LE 5.3, advanced security (e.g., NXP EdgeLock, Arm TrustZone), and FlexCAN, CAN, CAN FD and LIN bus interfaces.

The automotive grade variants are suitable for operation up to 105º C. By combining Bluetooth LE 5.3 with enhanced security features and CAN bus support in a compact and powerful stand-alone module, the u-blox NINA-B5 also enables significant space savings and cost efficiencies through reduced development cycles and BoM (Bill of Materials).

The NINA-B5 series also comes in professional grade for industrial applications, based on the NXP K32W148 chipset, and supports Thread, Matter and Zigbee.

NINA-B5 is offered either with an integrated high-performing PCB antenna, or with an antenna pin to connect to an external antenna. All modules are fully certified globally, avoiding the need for lengthy in-country radio testing. NINA-B5 is well-suited for automotive applications such as keyless entry, battery management, LED-light control, sensor hub, or tachograph, but also for any type of industrial and smart home applications such as home automation (lighting, access control) as well as micro-mobility (e-bikes), power tools, or mobile robotics (lawn mowers).