Tiny BLE/ANT+ SoCs Squeeze Into WLCSPs

The nRF51822 and nRF51422 join the Nordic Semiconductor nRF51 series of systems-on-chip (SoC), offering the full functionality of their quad-flat no-lead (QFN) counterparts in a 3.5- by 3.8- by 0.5-mm wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP) in a 13-mm² footprint that takes up 40% less board space. Used with an integrated balun design available for the series from STMicroelectronics, the SoCs can save as much as 80% of the board space of conventional QFN and discrete component designs. According to the company, they represent the world’s smallest Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and ANT+ SoC solutions, serving any application where space is severely constrained including smart fashion and sports watches, wearable sports and fitness sensors, medical sensors, portable smart-phone accessories, hearing aids, and smart cards. The devices are available immediately.

Nordic Semiconductor

www.nordicsemi.com