NORA B1 DataSheet UBX 20027
NORA B1 DataSheet UBX 20027
NORA-B1 series
Stand-alone dual-core Bluetooth® 5.2 Low Energy and
IEEE 802.15.4 module
Data sheet
Abstract
This technical data sheet describes the NORA-B1 series stand-alone dual-core Bluetooth® Low
Energy and IEEE 802.15.4 modules. OEMs can embed their own application in conjunction with the
Zephyr real time operating system integrated into the Nordic Semiconductor nRF Connect SDK.
UBX-20027119 - R11
C1 – Public www.u-blox.com
NORA-B1 series - Data sheet
Document information
Title NORA-B1 series
Stand-alone dual-core Bluetooth® 5.2 Low Energy and IEEE 802.15.4
Subtitle
module
Document type Data sheet
Document number UBX-20027119
Revision and date R11 16-Aug-2023
Disclosure restriction C1 – Public
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document. Copying, reproduction, or modification of this document or any part thereof is only permitted with the express
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The information contained herein is provided “as is” and u-blox assumes no liability for its use. No warranty, either express or
implied, is given, including but not limited to, with respect to the accuracy, correctness, reliability, and fitness for a particular
purpose of the information. This document may be revised by u-blox at any time without notice. For the most recent
documents, visit www.u blox.com.
Copyright © u-blox AG.
Contents
Document information ................................................................................................................................ 2
Contents .......................................................................................................................................................... 3
1 Functional description ......................................................................................................................... 6
1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................................................ 6
1.2 Applications ................................................................................................................................................. 6
1.3 Block diagram .............................................................................................................................................. 7
1.4 Product description .................................................................................................................................... 8
1.5 Hardware options ........................................................................................................................................ 9
1.6 Software options .......................................................................................................................................10
1.6.1 Open CPU............................................................................................................................................10
1.7 Bluetooth device address ........................................................................................................................10
2 Interfaces .............................................................................................................................................. 11
2.1 Power management .................................................................................................................................11
2.1.1 DC-DC converters .............................................................................................................................11
2.1.2 High voltage and battery operation ..............................................................................................11
2.1.3 Normal voltage operation................................................................................................................11
2.1.4 Digital I/O interfaces reference voltage .......................................................................................11
2.2 System clocks ............................................................................................................................................11
2.2.1 High-frequency clock .......................................................................................................................11
2.2.2 Low-frequency clock ........................................................................................................................12
2.3 RF antenna interfaces .............................................................................................................................12
2.3.1 2.4 GHz radio (ANT) ..........................................................................................................................12
2.3.2 Near Field Communication (NFC) ..................................................................................................12
2.3.3 Location services (AoA/AoD) ..........................................................................................................13
2.4 System functions ......................................................................................................................................13
2.4.1 Power modes .....................................................................................................................................13
2.4.2 Module reset ......................................................................................................................................14
2.4.3 CPU and memory ..............................................................................................................................14
2.4.4 Direct Memory Access .....................................................................................................................15
2.4.5 Distributed Programmable Peripheral Interconnect (DPPI) ....................................................15
2.4.6 Real-Time Counter (RTC) ................................................................................................................15
2.5 Serial peripherals ......................................................................................................................................15
2.5.1 Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) ...........................................................16
2.5.2 Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) .....................................................................................................16
2.5.3 High-Speed Serial Peripheral Interface ........................................................................................17
2.5.4 Quad Serial Peripheral Interface (QSPI) .......................................................................................17
2.5.5 Inter-Integrated Circuit Interface (I2C) ........................................................................................17
2.5.6 Inter-IC Sound interface (I2S) ........................................................................................................17
2.5.7 USB 2.0 interface ..............................................................................................................................18
2.6 GPIO .............................................................................................................................................................18
1 Functional description
1.1 Overview
Based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 Bluetooth 5 system on chip (SoC), the NORA-B1 series
of small stand-alone, dual-core modules includes Arm® Cortex®-M33 application and network
processors. The application processor provides a floating-point unit (FPU), digital signal processor
(DSP) instruction set, and CryptoCell™-312 security architecture while the network processor
operates the radio.
NORA-B1 modules support multiple peripherals over high-speed SPI, QSPI, USB, ADC and PWM
interfaces, and include a 2.4 GHz radio capable of handling Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), 802.15.4 for
Thread, Zigbee, and Nordic Semiconductor proprietary protocols. The modules operate in ambient
temperatures of up to 105 °C.
Direction finding (AoA/AoD) and Bluetooth LE Audio features are all supported by the hardware. The
modules support multiple power supply configurations and offer multiple antenna choices, including
U.FL connector, antenna pin, and on-board PCB trace antenna options.
For more information about the antennas that are approved for use with NORA-B1 series, see also the
system integration manual [1].
1.2 Applications
NORA-B1 series modules provide scalable solutions for a broad range of market segments, including
smart cities and buildings, industrial automation, telematics, medical and healthcare.
Specific application areas include:
• Industrial automation
• Advanced wearables
• Smart buildings and cities
• Low power sensors
• Wireless-connected and configurable equipment
• Point-of-sale
• Medical and health devices
• Real-time Location, RTLS
• Indoor positioning
• Asset tracking
Figure 2 shows the integration of the nRF5340, FEM, and other logical components in NORA-B12
modules.
☞ For instructions describing how to read and re-program the Bluetooth device address if the UICR
of either the application or network core need erased, see the NORA-B1 system integration
manual [1].
1
Example value shown. The full Bluetooth device address is encoded in the label data matrix and stored in the UICR for each
core.
2 Interfaces
NORA-B1 provides all GPIO and interfaces available on the nRF5340 embedded within the module. For
more information regarding function and use, see also the nRF5340 product specification [4].
☞ XOSC32MCAPS.CAPVALUE register in the UICR should be calculated using 20 pF as the value for
CAPACITANCE. See also reference [8].
2.4.1.1 System ON
System ON is the default operation after power-on reset. You can switch on or reboot the NORA-B1
modules in one of the following ways:
• Rising edge on the VDD pin to a valid supply voltage
• Issuing a reset of the module. See also Module reset.
An event to wake up from the System OFF mode to the active mode can be triggered by:
• Programmable digital or analog sensor event. For example, a rising voltage level on an analog
comparator pin
• Detecting an NFC field
• Supplying 5 V to the VBUS pin (plugging in the USB interface)
When waking up from System ON IDLE mode to System ON mode, an event can also be triggered by:
• RTC on-board Real Time Counter
• Radio interface
• Detection of an NFC field
2.4.1.4 Force-OFF
The network core can be held in Force-OFF while the application core continues to run.
The network processor includes peripherals for efficient operation of radio protocols including
Bluetooth LE, IEEE 802.15.4 and proprietary 2.4 GHz protocols. It has 256 kB flash and 64 kB low-
leakage RAM. Operation is at 64 MHz.
A volatile memory controller provides configurable retention of RAM sections based on the system
power state.
☞ Most input/output pins on the module are shared between the digital interfaces, analog
interfaces, and GPIOs. Unless otherwise stated, all functions can be assigned to any pin that is not
already occupied.
☞ Four of the SPI interfaces share common hardware with I2C interfaces and cannot be used
simultaneously. If both I2C interfaces are in use only one SPI interface is available.
2.6 GPIO
NORA-B1 series modules have a versatile pin-out. In an un-configured state, NORA-B1 supports a
total of 48 GPIO pins and no analog or digital interfaces. All interfaces or functions must then be
allocated to a GPIO pin before use and configured within the operating context of the Application core.
10 out of the 48 GPIO pins are analog enabled, meaning that they can have an analog function
allocated to them. Table 4 shows the number of digital and analog functions that can be assigned to
a GPIO pin.
☞ P0.00/XL1 and P0.01/XL2 default to GPIO but can be configured to connect an external
32.768 kHz crystal circuit.
☞ P0.02/NFC1 and P0.03/NFC2 default to NFC provided by the application core but can also be
configured to operate as GPIO.
☞ In NORA-B12, P1.08 and P1.09 are dedicated to FEM control (TX_EN and RX_EN).
2
Each analog pin may only be assigned to one function at any given time, ADC, COMP, or LPCOMP
3
Only one comparator type may be enabled at any given time, COMP or LPCOMP
2.8.2 Comparator
The analog comparator compares the analog voltage on one of the analog enabled pins in NORA-B1
with a highly configurable internal or external reference voltage. Events can be generated and
distributed to the rest of the system when the voltage levels cross.
Further characteristics of the comparator include:
• Full swing input range of 0 V to VDD
• Two operation modes: Single-ended or Differential
• Single-ended mode:
o A single reference level or an upper and lower hysteresis selectable from a 64-level reference
ladder with a range from 0 V to VREF, as described in Table 5.
• Differential mode:
o Two analog pin voltage levels are compared, optionally with a configurable hysteresis
• Three selectable performance modes - High speed, balanced, or power save
For information about the electrical specifications of the various analog comparator options, see also
Analog comparators .
For information about the electrical specifications of the various analog comparator options, see also
Analog comparators. For a summary of the analog pin options, see also Table 5.
Since the run current of the low power comparator is very low, it can be used in the module sleep mode
as an analog trigger to wake up the CPU. See also Power modes.
2.9 Debug
2.9.1 Multi-drop Serial Wire Debug (SWD)
NORA-B1 series modules provide ARM Multi-drop SWD technology for flashing and debugging. Each
core shares an external connection to one set SWD signals — SWDIO and SWDCLK. The cores are
then addressed individually. Additionally, NORA-B1 can be connected over the same SWD interface
to other CPUs that support Multi-drop SWD.
3 Pin definition
3.1 NORA-B1 pin assignment
☞ Most of the digital functions described in this data sheet can be freely assigned to any GPIO pin
that is marked “Px.xx”. NORA-B12 reserves P1.08 and P1.09 for FEM control (TX_EN and RX_EN)
☞ Alternative, dedicated pin functions are shown after the GPIO pin name.
⚠ Do not apply an NFC field to the NFC pins when they are configured as GPIOs. Failure to observe
this can cause permanent damage to the module. When driving different logic levels on these pins
in the GPIO mode, a small current leakage occurs. Make sure these pins are set to the same logic
level before entering any of the power saving modes. See also RESET_N pin.
⚠
No Name I/O Description
A1 VSS Power Ground pad
A2 P0.12/TRACECLK/DCX I/O GPIO/Trace buffer clock/Dedicated pin for high-speed SPIM4
A3 P1.03/TWI I/O GPIO/High-speed pin for 1 Mbps TWI
A4 P1.00 I/O GPIO
A5 P0.20 I/O GPIO
A6 N/C Reserved – do not connect
A7 VDD Power 1.7 VDC to 3.6 VDC power supply input and GPIO reference voltage
• SPIM4: For the fastest SPI mode, the special purpose GPIO pins are enabled using the Peripheral
setting of the MCUSEL pin of the PIN_CNF register. When activated, the SPIM PSEL settings are
ignored, and the dedicated pins are used. The GPIO must use the extra high drive E0E1
configuration in the DRIVE field of the PIN_CNF GPIO register.
• TRACE: When using trace, the TRACEDATA[n] and TRACECLK GPIO pins, or the SWO GPIO pin,
must all use the extra high drive E0E1 configuration in the DRIVE field of the PIN_CNF GPIO
register. The TND option of the MCUSEL field of the PIN_CNF register must be used.
The Skyworks SKY66405-11 is controlled through the application software loaded onto the network
core of NORA-B12. The Zephyr board support package available on the u-blox GitHub site or directly
through Zephyr enable FEM control through the nRF Connect SDK. See also the NORA-B1 SIM [1].
4 Electrical specifications
⚠ Stressing the device above one or more of the absolute maximum ratings can cause permanent
damage. These are stress ratings only. Operating the module at these or at any conditions other
than those specified in the recommended operating conditions should be avoided. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability.
☞ All given application information is only advisory and does not form part of the specification.
⚠ The product is not protected against overvoltage or reversed voltages. Use appropriate protection
devices to ensure that voltage spikes exceeding the power supply voltage specifications in
Table 9 are kept within the specified limits.
⚠ NORA-B1 series modules are Electrostatic Sensitive Devices and require special precautions while
handling. For ESD handling instructions, see also ESD precautions.
⚠ Operation beyond the specified operating conditions is not recommended and extended exposure
beyond them may affect device reliability.
Table 15 shows the typical current consumption of a NORA-B12 module at 3 V supply, independent
of the software used.
Condition Min Typ Max Units
System Off, 0 kB application RAM, wake on reset (FEM in sleep mode) 2.0 µA
System ON, wake on any event, power-fail comparator enabled (FEM in sleep mode) 2.3 µA
System ON, 64 kB network RAM, wake on network RTC (running from LFXO clock 3.5 µA
(FEM in sleep mode)
Application core running CoreMark benchmarking tests @ 128 MHz from flash, 8.0 mA
DC/DC (FEM in sleep mode)
Network core running CoreMark benchmarking tests @ 64 MHz from flash, 2.6 mA
DC/DC (FEM in sleep mode)
Radio RX only @ 1 Mbps Bluetooth LE mode (FEM LNA enabled) 9.2 mA
Radio TX only, +13 dBm output power (DC-DC converter enabled, FEM PA enabled) 22.3 mA
4.2.4 RF performance
Parameter Test condition Min Typ Max Unit
Receiver input sensitivity Conducted at 25 °C, 1 Mbit/s Bluetooth LE mode –98 dBm
Conducted at 25 °C, 2 Mbit/s Bluetooth LE mode –95 dBm
Conducted at 25 °C, 500 kbit/s Bluetooth LE mode –100 dBm
Conducted at 25 °C, 125 kbit/s Bluetooth LE mode –104 dBm
Maximum output power Conducted at 25 °C +3 dBm
NORA-B106 antenna gain Integral to EVK-NORA-B106 +2 dBi
Figure 5 shows the measurement points around the sphere with a vertical Z-axis and a representative
module orientation. The center of rotation is centered on the module antenna.
Measurements on three frequencies – 2402 MHz, 2440 MHz, and 2480 MHz – are taken at 15-degree
increments for both theta and phi.
4
Image source: Wikipedia
5
Image source: US FCC
Figure 6 and Figure 7 show the 3d radiation patterns for NORA-B106 and NORA-B126. Interactive
scan patterns can be requested from u-blox support. The MINI-NORA-B1 EVK board was used as the
host board to provide power.
Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the 2D radiation patterns for NORA-B106 and NORA-B126 on the noted
plane – X-Y, X-Z, and Y-Z.
Receiving antenna orientation Horizontal Vertical Combined
5 Mechanical specifications
5.1 NORA-B1 footprint dimensions
Figure 10 shows the common footprint and dimensions of NORA-B1 series modules that are shared
across the whole product family.
1.75 ±0.1
+
14.3
10.4 ±0.2
1.7 ±0.1
0.5 ±0.1
1.7 ±0.1
Dimensions in mm
Figure 11: NORA-B100 mechanical specification
Dimensions in mm
Figure 12: NORA-B101 mechanical specification
+
14.3
10.4 ±0.2
1.7 ±0.1
0.5 ±0.1
Dimensions in mm
Figure 13: NORA-B106 mechanical specification
Dimensions in mm
Figure 14: NORA-B120 mechanical specification
Dimensions in mm
Figure 15: NORA-B121 mechanical specification
Dimensions in mm
Figure 16: NORA-B126 mechanical specification
☞ For detailed information about the regulatory requirements that must be met for all end-product
applications based on NORA-B1 modules, see the system integration manual [1].
7 Product handling
7.1 Packaging
NORA-B1 series modules are delivered as hermetically sealed, reeled tapes to enable efficient
production, production lot set-up and tear-down. For more information about packaging, see also the
Packaging information reference guide [2].
7.1.1 Reels
NORA-B1 series modules are deliverable in quantities of 500 pieces on a reel. The reel types for the
modules are shown in Table 24.
For more detailed information, see also the Packaging information reference guide [2].
Model Reel type
NORA-B100 A3
NORA-B101 A3
NORA-B106 A3
NORA-B120 A3
NORA-B121 A3
NORA-B126 A3
Table 24: Reel types for different models of the NORA-B1 series
7.1.2 Tapes
Figure 17 shows the position and orientation of the NORA-B1 series modules as they are delivered on
tape.
⚠ NORA-B10 series modules are rated at MSL level 3 in accordance with the IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020
standard. For detailed information, see the moisture sensitive warning label on the MBB (Moisture
Barrier Bag).
After opening the dry pack, the modules must be mounted within 168 hours in factory conditions of
maximum 30 °C/60%RH or must be stored at less than 10%RH. The modules require baking if the
humidity indicator card shows more than 10% when read at 23±5 °C or if the conditions mentioned
above are not met. For information about the bake procedure, see also the J-STD-033B standard.
⚠ NORA-B12 series modules are rated at MSL level 4 in accordance with the IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020
standard. For detailed information, see the moisture sensitive warning label on the MBB (Moisture
Barrier Bag).
After opening the dry pack, the modules must be mounted within 72 hours in factory conditions of
maximum 30 °C/60%RH or must be stored at less than 10%RH. The modules require baking if the
humidity indicator card shows more than 10% when read at 23±5 °C or if the conditions mentioned
above are not met. For information about the bake procedure, see also the J-STD-033B standard.
For more information regarding moisture sensitivity levels, labeling and storage, see the Packaging
information reference guide [2].
☞ For MSL standards, see also IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020 and IPC/JEDED J-STD-033B. The standards
can be downloaded from the JEDEC website [11].
⚠ Failure to follow these recommendations can result in severe damage to the device.
1
3
2
4
Reference Description
1 Data Matrix with unique serial number comprising 19 alphanumeric symbols:
- The first 3 symbols are used for production tracking and are an abbreviated representation of the Type
number that is unique to each module variant.
- The following 12 symbols represent the unique hexadecimal Bluetooth address of the module
AABBCCDDEEFF, and
The last 4 symbols represent the hardware and firmware version encoded HHFF.
2 Second half of the Bluetooth device address
3 Date of production encoded YY/WW (year / week)
4 Type number suffix
5 Product name (Model)
Model name Describes the form factor, platform technology and platform variant. PPPP-TGVV
Used mostly in product documentation like this data sheet, the model
name represents the most common identity for all u-blox products.
Ordering code Comprises the model name – with additional identifiers to describe the PPPP-TGVV-TTQ
major product version and quality grade.
Type number Comprises the model name and ordering code – with additional PPPP -TGVV-TTQ-XX
identifiers to describe minor product versions.
NORA-B100-00B NORA-B10 module with antenna connector U.FL, open CPU for custom applications
NORA-B101-00B NORA-B10 module with antenna pin, open CPU for custom applications
NORA-B106-00B NORA-B10 module with internal PCB antenna, open CPU for custom applications
NORA-B120-00B NORA-B12 module with antenna connector U.FL, open CPU for custom applications
NORA-B121-00B NORA-B12 module with antenna pin, open CPU for custom applications
NORA-B126-00B NORA-B12 module with internal PCB antenna, open CPU for custom applications
Appendix
A Glossary
Abbreviation Definition
ADC Analog to Digital Converter
AoA Angle of Arrival
AoD Angle of Departure
BPF Band Pass Filter
CBC-MAC cipher block chaining - message authentication code
CCM Counter with cipher block chaining - message authentication code
CMAC Cipher-based Message Authentication Code
CPU Central Processing Unit
CTI Cross Trigger Interface
CTR AES CCM combines counter
CTS Clear To Send
DC Direct Current
DMA Direct Memory Access
DPPI Distributed Programmable Peripheral Interconnect
DWT Data Watchpoint and Trace
ECB Electronic CodeBook
EDM Extended Data Mode
ESD ElectroStatic Discharge
ETM Embedded Trace Macrocell
FCC Federal Communications Commission (United States)
FEM Front End Module
FPU Floating Point Unit
GATT Generic ATTribute profile
GCM Galois/Counter Mode
GPIO General Purpose Input/Output
I2C Inter-Integrated Circuit
ISED Innovation, Science and Economic Development (Canada)
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IPC Inter-Processor Communication
ITM Instrumentation Trace Macrocell
LE Low Energy
LNA Low Noise Amplifier
MUTEX Mutually Exclusive Peripheral
NFC Near Field Communication
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
OTP One-Time Programmable
OUI Organizationally Unique Identifier
PA Power Amplifier
PDM Pulse Density Modulation
PWM Pulse Width Modulation
QDEC Quadrature DECoder
Abbreviation Definition
QSPI Quad Serial Peripheral Interface
RAM Random Access Memory
RNG Random Number Generator
RTC Real-Time Counter
RTLS Real-Time Location Service
RTS Request To Send
SDK Software Development Kit
SPI Serial Peripheral Interface
SWD Serial Wire Debug
TBD To Be Defined
TWI Two-Wire Interface (See I2C)
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
UICR User Information Control Registers
WDT WatchDog Timer
XIP eXecute In Place
Related documents
[1] NORA-B1 system integration manual, UBX-20027617
[2] Packaging information reference guide, UBX-14001652
[3] u-blox GitHub repository
[4] Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 product specification
[5] Nordic Semiconductor nRF Connect SDK
[6] Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 power regulators
[7] Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 clocks
[8] Nordic Semiconductor nRF5340 oscillators
[9] Skyworks SKY66405-11 data sheet
[10] Bluetooth SIG location services information
[11] JEDEC website
☞ For product change notifications and regular updates of u-blox documentation, register on our
website, www.u-blox.com.
Revision history
Revision Date Name Comments
Contact
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Address: Zürcherstrasse 68
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Switzerland
For further support and contact information, visit us at www.u-blox.com/support.
Authorized Distributor
u-blox:
NORA-B100-00B NORA-B101-00B NORA-B106-00B NORA-B120-00B NORA-B121-00B NORA-B126-00B