Introduction: Redefining Miniaturised Bluetooth Technology
In today's increasingly connected world, IoT device designers face significant challenges in balancing connectivity requirements with constraints on size, power consumption, and performance. The EM9305 (marketed as em|bleu) from EM Microelectronic represents a breakthrough solution, offering ultra-low power Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity in what the company describes as the market's smallest and lowest power package.
Designed with Swiss precision engineering and built on EM Microelectronic's decades of expertise in ultra-low-power semiconductor design, the EM9305 is specifically engineered for applications where space constraints and battery life are critical considerations—from wearables and medical devices to industrial sensors and smart home products.
Key Features of EM9305: Compact Design with Premium Performance
The EM9305 SoC integrates a comprehensive set of features that make it ideal for space-constrained, battery-powered applications:
Advanced Connectivity
Complete Bluetooth 5.4 compatibility with full support for all the latest features
High Data Rate (HDR) and Long Range (LR) communication modes
Support for Angle-of-Arrival (AOA) and Angle-of-Departure (AOD) for localisation applications
Isochronous channels for BLE audio applications
Up to 4 simultaneous Bluetooth connections
Ultra-Low Power Architecture
Power-optimised 32-bit ARC EM7D processor with DSP and floating-point capabilities
Sophisticated power management with multiple sleep modes
As low as 390nA sleep mode current with 4kB RAM retention using 32kHz crystal
Only 200nA in deep sleep mode
Efficient RF performance: 3.1mA receiver and 3.4mA transmitter current at 0dBm
Compact Form Factor
Available in WLCSP23 wafer-level chip-scale package (1.8mm x 1.8mm)
QFN-28 package (4mm x 4mm) for standard PCB technology
Bare die options for chip-on-board applications
High-Performance RF
Excellent sensitivity (-97dBm typical for 1Mbps)
Programmable output power from -28dBm to +10dBm
High-quality RF front-end with single-ended antenna connection
Comprehensive Development Support
Hardware and software development kits
Complete software stack with Bluetooth 5.4 certification
Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) update capability
Technical Specifications and Architecture
The EM9305 is built around an energy-efficient 32-bit ARC processor operating at 48MHz. Its architecture features:
Processing Power
32-bit ARC EM7D processor core with DSP and FPU capabilities
64kB RAM (all retainable during sleep, configurable in 4kB increments)
512kB flash memory for multi-protocol and application storage
2kB instruction cache to optimise code execution
Hardware support for AES-128 encryption/decryption
Power Management
The EM9305 incorporates sophisticated power management that allows designers to optimise battery life:
Configurable DC-DC converter for efficient power conversion
Support for 1.5V or 3V batteries with optional inductor-less mode
Multiple sleep modes with fine-grained control over component power
RAM retention configurable from 4kB to full 64kB
Intelligent wake-up mechanism through timers or GPIO activity
Peripherals
The chip offers a comprehensive set of interfaces that can be mapped to GPIO pins:
SPI master/slave interfaces up to 24MHz
I2C master interface (up to 400kbps)
UART interface up to 1.84Mbps
I2S/TDM audio interface
USB 2.0 interface (12Mbps, QFN/die versions only)
12 GPIO pins on QFN version, 10 on WLCSP version
ADC for external analogue signal measurement
Two timers for application timing requirements
RF Performance
The 2.4GHz radio section delivers excellent performance metrics:
Support for 1Mbps, 2Mbps, 500kbps, and 125kbps data rates
Sensitivity as low as -103dBm for 125kbps mode
Variable output power from -28dBm to +10dBm
Integrated direction-finding capabilities for AOA/AOD applications
Applications Across Industries
The EM9305's combination of miniaturisation, ultra-low power consumption, and features make it suitable for numerous applications:
Healthcare and Medical Devices
Blood glucose monitors and continuous glucose monitoring systems
Blood pressure monitors and portable ECG devices
Medical wearables for remote patient monitoring
Hearing aids and other personal medical devices
Wearable Technology
Fitness trackers and sports equipment
Smart watches and activity bands
Smart clothing with embedded sensors
Connected jewellery and accessories
Industrial IoT
Battery-powered sensors for monitoring and control
Asset tracking and management solutions
Building automation sensors
Wireless instrumentation
Smart Home and Consumer Electronics
Smart home sensors and controllers
Remote controls and wireless interfaces
Beacon technology for proximity applications
Battery-powered smart devices
Development Support and Availability
EM Microelectronic provides comprehensive support for designers implementing the EM9305:
Development kit with configurable power mode selection
Reference designs with different configuration options
Software Development Kit (SDK) with API and examples
Access to the Bluetooth 5.4 certified protocol stack
Technical support from EM's application engineers
The EM9305 is available in three versions:
Standard version with +6dBm output power
High output power version with +10dBm capability
USB version with +10dBm and USB capabilities
Each version is offered in QFN-28 package, while the standard and high-power versions are also available in
WLCSP23 package or as tested wafers for custom integration.
Conclusion: Consider EM9305 Ultra-low power Bluetooth for ultimate power saving
As IoT applications continue to evolve toward smaller form factors with greater functionality, the EM9305 represents a significant advancement in Bluetooth technology. Its combination of ultra-low power consumption, compact size, and comprehensive features makes it an ideal solution for designers seeking to implement wireless connectivity in space-constrained, battery-powered applications.
With EM Microelectronic's nearly five decades of experience in watchmaking-inspired semiconductor design and as part of The Swatch Group, the EM9305 embodies the company's commitment to precision engineering and quality. For applications where every millimetre and microwatt matters, the EM9305 offers an uncompromising solution that enables the next generation of connected devices.
Contact Ineltek today to learn more about the EM9305 and how it can be integrated into your next IoT design.