Blecon Brings Cloud to Nordic’s Advanced nRF54L IoT SoCs

11-11-2024 | By Jack Pollard

The Blecon high level architecture

At Electronica 2024, Blecon announced its support for Nordic Semiconductor’s latest innovation, the nRF54L Series multiprotocol SoCs. This support marks a significant advancement in Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) technology, enabling cloud connectivity for next-generation IoT devices without the need for custom gateways or complex installations. The collaboration between Blecon and Nordic Semiconductor is poised to empower new IoT applications in sectors such as industrial IoT and healthcare, enhancing device functionality and connectivity capabilities in ways previously unattainable.

By integrating Blecon’s Bluetooth LE cloud connectivity, the nRF54L Series SoCs are optimised for seamless cloud access, opening up possibilities for efficient, battery-powered IoT devices. This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to advancing IoT connectivity, providing developers with new tools to create cloud-connected devices that are scalable and cost-effective.

Key Things to Know:

  • Seamless Cloud Connectivity: The nRF54L Series, supported by Blecon, allows single-chip devices to connect to the cloud without the need for 1-1 pairing or custom gateways.
  • Flexible Deployment: Cloud coverage can be achieved through mobile devices, laptops, and dedicated hotspots, minimising infrastructure costs and reducing setup complexity.
  • Optimised Power Efficiency: With the power-efficient design of the nRF54L Series, battery-powered devices gain low-cost connectivity while maximising battery life.
  • Launch at Electronica 2024: The collaboration was officially unveiled during Electronica 2024, showcasing the innovative potential for BLE-connected IoT devices.

The nRF54L Series and Its Impact on Bluetooth Low Energy Devices

Nordic Semiconductor’s new nRF54L Series SoCs represent a major leap forward in Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) technology, bringing enhanced processing power and optimised power consumption to IoT applications. Designed for high-efficiency performance, the nRF54L Series offers double the processing capabilities of previous models, all while consuming significantly less power. This combination makes the series ideal for applications where both performance and battery life are critical, such as in wearable healthcare devices, industrial IoT sensors, and cloud-connected smart devices.

The nRF54L’s capabilities make it especially valuable for sectors requiring reliable, long-term connectivity solutions. With its power-efficient design, it enables IoT devices in industrial environments to operate on minimal battery power, reducing maintenance needs and improving device longevity. In healthcare, the nRF54L can support applications such as continuous patient monitoring, where low power consumption and high processing capabilities are essential to ensure accurate data capture and prolonged device operation.

Sam Presley, Technical Product Manager for the nRF54L Series at Nordic Semiconductor, emphasised the significance of this advancement: "The new nRF54L Series delivers double the processing capabilities whilst bringing significant improvements in power consumption, making it ideal for next generation IoT products. Blecon support enables the nRF54L Series to be used for cloud-connected applications, unlocking new product opportunities for our customers."

Key Features of Blecon’s Support for nRF54L Series

Blecon’s support for Nordic’s nRF54L Series SoCs introduces a range of advanced features that simplify cloud connectivity for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) devices. This integration enables next-generation IoT devices to connect seamlessly to the cloud without traditional limitations, offering a powerful solution for developers and businesses alike.

One of the most notable features is the ability to establish cloud connectivity without the need for 1-1 device pairing or custom gateways. By leveraging Bluetooth LE, single-chip devices using the nRF54L Series can connect directly to cloud applications, streamlining the setup process and making deployment faster and easier. This capability opens up new possibilities for scalable IoT applications, removing the need for complex infrastructure.

Deployment flexibility is another critical advantage of Blecon’s support. With coverage achievable through mobile devices, laptops, and dedicated hotspots, this solution minimises infrastructure costs and reduces installation complexity. The flexibility in connectivity options allows businesses to deploy IoT devices across diverse environments without relying on costly or complicated network setups, making it a versatile choice for sectors with varied connectivity needs.

Finally, the nRF54L Series’ power-optimised design enhances battery-powered cloud connectivity, providing a cost-effective solution for low-power IoT devices. The optimised power efficiency of the nRF54L ensures that devices can operate for extended periods on minimal power, ideal for applications where battery life is critical. By combining cloud connectivity with low energy consumption, Blecon and Nordic are enabling a new generation of battery-powered IoT devices that are both efficient and economical.

Developer Resources and Immediate Availability

To support seamless integration of cloud connectivity with the nRF54L Series, Blecon has made a comprehensive set of resources available for developers. These include software libraries, detailed documentation, and dedicated technical support, all accessible on Blecon’s developer portal. With these resources, developers can quickly leverage Blecon’s Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) capabilities to connect devices to the cloud, streamlining the development process and reducing time-to-market.

Examples and integration tools are also available through Nordic’s nRF Connect for Visual Studio Code (VS Code). These examples serve as practical, step-by-step guides, making it easier for developers to understand and implement Blecon’s cloud connectivity support with the nRF54L Series. By providing direct access to tested code snippets and development tools, Blecon and Nordic aim to simplify the process of building cloud-connected IoT applications.

Blecon’s support for the nRF54L Series is available immediately, allowing developers to start building with these advanced tools and features right away. For additional assistance or further information, developers can visit the Blecon developer portal or contact Blecon’s support team to access tailored guidance throughout their project development.

About Blecon

Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, Blecon has quickly established itself as a leader in Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) solutions for IoT connectivity. With a mission to bring efficient, scalable connectivity to physical devices, Blecon focuses on enabling seamless cloud communication through Bluetooth LE, making it easier for IoT devices to integrate into cloud environments without the need for costly or complex infrastructure.

Blecon’s technological vision centers on harnessing the inherent benefits of Bluetooth LE as a low-cost, low-power connectivity solution, particularly suited to the demands of modern IoT applications. By using Bluetooth LE, Blecon provides a reliable and energy-efficient way for devices to connect to the cloud, which is critical for applications that rely on battery-powered or resource-constrained devices.

Unique to Blecon’s approach is its combination of Bluetooth LE’s versatility with the deployment model of Wi-Fi and the network structure of cellular technology. This hybrid model allows for flexible, widespread deployment similar to Wi-Fi, while offering the structured network benefits typical of cellular systems. The result is a highly adaptable connectivity solution that meets the varied demands of IoT applications across industrial, healthcare, and consumer sectors, democratising access to cloud-connected Bluetooth technology.

Contact Information

For media inquiries and additional information about Blecon’s support for Nordic’s nRF54L Series, please contact:

Media Contact:
Maya Ahluwalia
Email: maya.ahluwalia@blecon.net
Phone: +4479 8938 2792

For further details on Blecon’s products and developer resources, please visit the Blecon website or the contact page for additional support and inquiries.

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By Jack Pollard

Jack has spent over a decade in media within the electronics industry and is extremely passionate about working with companies to create interesting and educational content, from podcasts and video to written articles for engineers and buyers.