Question about choosing the right Bluetooth Chips.

bkk

Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC2560, CC2564, CC2540

I'm planning to develop an activity tracking system to use at home. The final product will be a wristband/watch and it consists of Bluetooth and accelerometer.

I'm a bit confused on choosing which chips, i.e. CC256x or CC254x, for my application. There will be a Bluetooth-enabled 'base station' that communicate with the wristband/watch. So, it has to be quite high power and long range (>20meters indoor) to cover a 3 bedrooms apartment.

Which chip should I choose? Also, are there any development/eva. kits available that come with accelerometer sensor?

Thank you very much.

over 9 years ago

0 Greenja over 9 years ago

Guru 22270 points

Hello Boon,

The trend today is to go with a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chip for wearable devices. The main reason is that they are low energy and work with both iOS and Android devices. A classic Bluetooth chip CC2560 will not work with iOS for free but can work with Android.

There are kits available from the eStore like this one it is a classic Bluetooth watch and development kit. https://estore.ti.com/MSP-WDS430BT1000AD-Bluetooth-Wearable-Watch-development-system-with-Analog-Digital-display-P2446.aspx

The other option is the CC2564 that is dual mode meaning it can use BLE and Classic Bluetooth at the same time. The difference between the CC254x and CC256x is that the CC254x have an 8051 based MCU in side (SoC).

https://estore.ti.com/cc256xqfnem.aspx

For programming and development, the CC254x is restricted to the IAR IDE. The CC256x can be interfaced to any MCU you want, with examples for the Tiva and MSP available. Although, you can use the CC254x (4S) as a network processors where an external MCU communicates with it.

https://estore.ti.com/EZ430-RF256X-EZ430-RF2560x-Bluetooth-Evaluation-Tool-P2732.aspx

Both chips have development boards and kits that include accelerometers and gyroscopes. Visit the eStore and search the Wireless Connectivity for all the kits.

Thanks,

0 CWJCWJCWJ over 9 years ago in reply to Greenja

Intellectual 260 points

Thank you very much, Greenja. Very useful information indeed.

Does it mean the classic Bluetooth, i.e. CC256x, has a better transmission range, e.g. indoor?

Thank you.

0 Sundeep Javvaji over 9 years ago in reply to CWJCWJCWJ

TI__Mastermind 32615 points

Hi,

It depends on what do you want to use.

CC254x is just a BLE device. I think you can increase the transmission range. You can check this in the Bluetooth® Low Energy Forum(http://e2e.ti.com/support/low_power_rf/f/538.aspx)

CC256x is dual mode device(Bluetooth(BR/EDR) and BLE). this a Class 1.5 device.

0 Zahid Haq over 9 years ago in reply to Sundeep Javvaji

TI__Mastermind 25035 points

Hi,

Range depends on many factors. One of them is output power. The CC2540 can output up to 5dBm. But with a amplifier/range extender chip, you can increase it to 10dBm for better range.

See for ref:

http://e2e.ti.com/support/low_power_rf/f/538/t/312405.aspx

0 bkk over 9 years ago in reply to Zahid Haq

Prodigy 70 points

Thanks for all the useful comments. Do TI have a development kit with CC2541+CC2590 chips and accelerometer? Thanks.

0 Sundeep Javvaji over 9 years ago in reply to bkk

TI__Mastermind 32615 points

Hi,

As mentioned in my earlier post. For CC254x, You can check this in the Bluetooth® Low Energy Forum (http://e2e.ti.com/support/low_power_rf/f/538.aspx)

Bluetooth®︎

Bluetooth forum

Question about choosing the right Bluetooth Chips.