Raytac’s Impact on the Zephyr Ecosystem – Little Module, Huge Potential

In this article, Stanley Huang, MSc, Deputy Manager of Firmware Development at Raytac, shares insights on how Raytac’s modules and development kits strengthen the Zephyr ecosystem.

[Stanley Huang, New Taipei City]
When we talk about open-source platforms like Zephyr RTOS, most people immediately think of major chip manufacturers such as ST Micro, NXP, or Nordic. But to me, what truly makes Zephyr famous amongst the developer community is through modules that developers can actually touch: those they can instantly plug in and start using right away. In these terms, Raytac is one of the most underrated and important contributors in this ecosystem.

Raytac Modules Make Zephyr More Accessible
Instead of being a chip vendor, we specialize in producing high-quality, globally certified modules – especially Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules based on Nordic chipsets, such as the AN7002Q, AN54LQ, AN54LV, MDBT53, MDBT50Q, and MDBT42Q.
All these modules are already certified with Regional RF compliances(FCC, IC, CE, KC, etc.) and the latest Bluetooth Specifications, offering developers the assurance of “plug and play” and “production-ready” solutions.
We assure that our modules have become one of the easiest platforms for Zephyr developers to test BLE functionality.

I paired Zephyr with Raytac’s MDBT50Q-DB-40 development board when I first applied Zephyr in a BLE Peripheral project . With a simple west build -b nrf52840dk_nrf52840 followed by flashing the firmware using J-Link or nRF Connect for Desktop, the BLE beacon immediately showed up on my phone. Clean, simple, noise-free, and developer-friendly – that’s Raytac’s style.

Modules play an invaluable role in product development
Many would say Raytac only makes modules and the real core is still Nordic’s SoC.
But I believe that in an open-source system like Zephyr, the hardware that helps your project runs first is that which contributes the most.
Our Zephyr-registered development kits eliminate the hassles of manual soldering, regulatory certification, and antenna design, allowing engineers to fully focus on developing applications based on Zephyr.
They can run Zephyr’s BLE peripheral, central, GATT, and HCI samples directly on the Raytac kits that act as a one-stop hardware solution.
In many ways, Raytac has pushed Zephyr’s usability a significant step forward.

Raytac Also Expands Zephyr’s Application Horizon
Many of Raytac’s modules are ultra-compact- ideal for wearables, smart sensors, and low-power beacons…etc. These are the scenarios where Zephyr excels, and Raytac’s modules provide the physical platform to enable companies to build their “dream devices".
When running Zephyr on a tiny module like the AN54LV-15(Product Link), developers will be amazed that something smaller than a piece of corn kernel can run a full RTOS, manage the BLE stack, trigger timers, drive I2C sensors, and even connect to the cloud, all by itself.  This combination doesn’t just make development easier – it inspires developers to realize that: “they can build their projects using Raytac’s hardware.”

Raytac may not be the star, but we’re always ready for you
On Zephyr’s main stage, companies like Nordic, STM, and Intel take the spotlight, but Raytac plays an essential supporting role – supporting the performance from behind the scenes. We offer stable, high quality, and low-power platforms, giving every line of Zephyr code a place to run and every feature a cornerstone.
Our greatest value lies in helping developers skip antenna design and RF interference concerns – so they can jump right into the Zephyr ecosystem with ease.

Our products deliver the reliability you need and the efficiency you expect.

We invite you to explore more about how Raytac supports the Zephyr ecosystem and discover our range of development kits and modules designed for seamless integration.
Visit our Zephyr page here: https://docs.zephyrproject.org/latest/boards/raytac/index.html
Visit Zephyr’s Ecosystem Vendors page: https://www.zephyrproject.org/ecosystem-vendor-offerings/

For more information, please contact:
Raytac Contact Form: https://www.raytac.com/contact/
Raytac Sales email: sales@raytac.com
abietec Service email: service@abietec.com



Article by Firmware Deputy Manager: Stanley Huang
Edited by Business Development Manager: Tony Yin

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 / Raytac Corporation (USA) / abietec Inc.
A Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and LoRa Module Maker/ODM & OEM Manufacturer based on
Nordic nRF54; nRF53: nRF52; nRF51; nRF7002
Semtech Specification: SX1262

Bluetooth Specification: BT6 ; BT5.4 ; BT5.3 ; BT5.2.
Wi-Fi Specification: Wi-Fi 6
LoRa Specification: LoRaWAN


All products are FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC/WPC/RoHS/Reach Pre-Certified.
http://www.raytac.com
https://www.raytac.com/contact/
email: sales@raytac.com
Tel: +886-2-3234-0208(TW)/+1-626-217-3139(USA)

Important Notice:Upcoming price increase in Bluetooth SIG Membership Fees and DID

The Bluetooth SIG Board of Directors(BoD) has granted its approval for a 15% increase in member fees, effective from January 1,2024. This decision comes after careful consideration of the organization’s financial situation and the need to cover the rising costs of current and futrue member services throughout 2024.

Bluetooth

Feel free to explore the mission and operations of the Bluetooth SIG by visiting the provided web pages below:

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司
A Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF53, nRF52, nRF70 solution 
www.raytac.com email: service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208           

Nordic nRF52820 Module By Raytac

Raytac released MDBT50 series module which deployed Nordic latest nRF52 member, nRF52820 solution. nRF52820’s specification looks similar to nRF51822, but offer superior features than ever.

MDBT40 (nRF51822) VS. MDBT50 (nRF52820)

The nRF52820 features an Arm Cortex-M4 processor, 256 KB Flash and 32 KB RAM and offer I2C/SPI/UART but also full speed USB 2.0 interface which provide the maximum flexibility for commercial and industrial applications.

MDBT50 employed nRF52820 can be supplied with a voltage from 1.7 to 5.5 V, -40°C~105 industrial operation temperature. Features Upto +8 dBm output power and supports BT5.2 Direction Finding, high-throughput 2 Mbps, Long Range. Multiprotocol radio provides, Thread and Zigbee and Bluetooth mesh protocols. 

MDBT50 series modules covers both nRF52833 and nRF52820 solutions and provide both chip and PCB antenna for customer’s selection. Developers are encouraged to visit Raytac website for more information.

Nordic nRF52 Module Family by Raytac

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司
A BT5.2 & BT5.1 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF53 & nRF52 solution 
(nRF5340 & nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52820 & nRF52811 & nRF52810 & nRF52805)
www.raytac.com email: service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Some One Like It Cold @ -40°C

Outside the home in the frozen world. Raytac take care!

 Winter is coming and field is chilly. Stay home enjoy the warm is what people is looking for.To ensure users enjoy the joyful time on couch, Raytac conduct a  72 hrs non-stop connection reliability test under -40°which is compliant with industrial standard. The significant result shows there is no any single packet lost over 252,979,200 bytes (244 bytes/Packet).

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司
A BT5.2 & BT5.1 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF52 & nRF51 solution 
(nRF5340 & nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52820 & nRF52811 & nRF52810 & nRF52805 & nRF51822)
www.raytac.com service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Some One Like It Hot !

 Stay Safe, Stay 105!

To ensure the Module is capable to work under 105°C, Raytac’s conducted a 72 hrs non-stop connection reliability test. The significant result shows there is no any single packet lost over 252,979,200 bytes (244 bytes/Packet).


Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司
A BT5.2 & BT5.1 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF52 & nRF51 solution 
(nRF5340 & nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52820 & nRF52811 & nRF52810 & nRF52805 & nRF51822)
www.raytac.com service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208


Even Under Extreme, Raytac Stays Working

 SoC qualified for 105°C; so do our Modules

Soon after nRF52833 and nRF52820 operating temperature extended to 105°C. Raytac immediately investigated BOM to ensure the module is capable to work under the extreme environment.

According to the latest thermal shock reliability test report, Raytac’s modules recorded NO DATA LOST" out of 252,979,200 bytes transmission under -40°C~105°C. 

Find Raytac if you are looking for a reliable module partner!

This remarkable test result prove Raytac modules are the most ideal device for any commercial and industrial application.

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司

A BT5.2 & BT5.1 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF52 & nRF51 solution 
(nRF5340 & nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52820 & nRF52811 & nRF52810 & nRF52805 & nRF51822)

www.raytac.com service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Welcome nRF52805 & nRF52820 module on board

It figures, Raytac launched nRF52820 & nRF52805 modules soon after Nordic released the SoC. As usual, all modules by Raytac are Bluetooth qualified and regulation pre-certified by FCC/IC/CE/SRRC/Telec/KC/SRRC/NCC.
With both modules added on the list, whole nRF52 series module road map now has become comprehensive and completed.


#nRF52805 Solution
MDBT42T series designed for highly cost constrained. 

MDBT42T-P192K (Click me for more information)

MDBT42T-192K (Click me for more information)

MDBT42TV series designed for highly size constrained.

MDBT42TV-P192K (Expected in Oct. 2020)

MDBT42TV-192K (Expected in Oct. 2020)

#nRF52820 SolutionMDBT50 series designed for long range connectivity and USB interface.

MDBT50-P256R (Click me for more information)

MDBT50-256R (Click me for more information)

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司

A BT5.2 & BT5.1 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF52 & nRF51 solution 
(nRF5340 & nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52820 & nRF52811 & nRF52810 & nRF52805 & nRF51822)

Nordic nRF52 Module by Raytac (Base Line Series)

Bluetooth applications not always tough and complicated.

Most cases, Bluetooth applications are brief and require simple bridge functionality only such as UART service for Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or SPP for Classic Bluetooth (BT3 or BT2). Raytac adopted Nordic nRF52 base line solutions (nRF52805 / nRF52810 / nRF52811 / nRF52820) offer a series of base line modules with different form factor and antenna options for selection.

nRF52805: GPIO: 10 / Flash: 192K / RAM: 24K

nRF52810: GPIO: 32 / Flash: 192K / RAM: 24K

nRF52811: GPIO: 32 / Flash: 192K / RAM: 24K

nRF52820:GPIO: 18 / Flash: 256K / RAM: 32K

Excepting modules,  Raytac even developed a firmware pre-loaded modules for base line solution which is called as AT command module series. AT command module collected a list of most common command that transparent transmission may need. A well developed firmware pre-loaded modules bring developers or customer a quick access to Bluetooth. Simply deploy the module onto applications and projects can be benefited with the maximum flexibility, design free, time saving advantage.

AT Command Module (Peripheral)

AT Command Module (Central)

AT Command Module (Central+Peripheral) & Long Range

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子有限公司
A BT5.2 & BT5.1 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF53 & nRF52 solution 
(nRF5340 & nRF52840 & nRF52833 & nRF52832 & nRF52820 & nRF52811 & nRF52810 & nRF52805)
www.raytac.com email: service@raytac.com Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

Come to visit Raytac at Embedded World #Hall 3 / 3-613

With over 1,000 exhibitors gathering in Nuremberg, Germany, Embedded World has become one of  the biggest trade fair among the IoT Technologies.
Raytac will be in attendance and present our latest module MDBT50Q series which are built based on Nordic nRF52840 solution and Mesh network implements.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Nordic Module Embeded World
Raytac nRF52840 BLE Module
Raytac Corporation
A BT4.1 & BT4.2 & BT5 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 
(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nR52810 & nRF52840)
www.raytac.com            Tel: +886.2.3234.0208
email: service@raytac.com