u-blox ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2 Bluetooth LE modules

u-blox has announced two additions to its Bluetooth LE module portfolio, the ALMA-B1 and NORA-B2, based on the latest nRF54 Series systems-on-chip (SoCs) from Nordic Semiconductor. They support Bluetooth LE 5.4 and Thread/Matter technologies in a compact, power-efficient and secure format.

The modules are designed for a wide range of IoT applications, including industrial automation, health care and smart home. The ALMA-B1 is a high-end wireless MCU, while the NORA-B2 brings ultralow power to less complex applications. In indoor positioning, the ALMA-B1 could act as an anchor point due to its large processing capabilities, while the power efficiency of the NORA-B2 makes it suitable for asset-tracking tags.

Powered by the nRF54H20 and the nRF54L15 low-power multiprotocol SoCs, the modules provide IoT devices with the processing power for edge computing and machine learning without additional components. With more than twice the processing power of previous Bluetooth LE modules, the ALMA-B1 can even replace general-purpose MCUs in a compact solution. Both modules also offer a reduction in power consumption, with the NORA-B2 consuming up to 50% less current compared to previous generations of Bluetooth LE modules.

Designed for PSA Certified Level 3, the modules provide high levels of IoT security. In addition to features like secure boot, secure storage, secure debug interfaces and hardware crypto accelerators, both modules include next-generation security features like physical tamper detection and protection against side-channel attacks.

Available as wireless MCUs, both modules come with global certifications and offer two antenna options: an antenna pin or an embedded PCB antenna. They are designed to save considerable space (measuring (10 x 11 or 10 x 14 mm) and facilitate migration from other u-blox modules.