 2015 Microchip Technology Inc.

DS50002328A-page 3

RN42/RN42N

1.0

DEVICE OVERVIEW

The RN42/RN42N module is a small form factor, low-

power, class 2 Bluetooth radio that is ideal for

designers who want to add wireless capability to their

products without spending significant time and money

developing Bluetooth-specific hardware and software.

The

RN42/RN42N

supports

multiple

interface

protocols, is simple to design in, and is fully certified,

making it a complete embedded Bluetooth solution.

With its high-performance, PCB trace antenna (RN42)

or external antenna (RN42N), and support for

Bluetooth EDR, the RN42/RN42N delivers up to a 3-

Mbps data rate for distances up to 10 meters.

1.1

MCU Interface

The RN42/RN42N module is managed through ASCII

commands via the UART and/or PIO signals. A micro-

controller unit (MCU) or host processor sends com-

mands to configure module features, read status, and

manage Bluetooth data connections.

As shown in Figure 1-1, the UART TX and RX are

required to communicate with module, and transfer

data across Bluetooth SPP connection.

Connecting the hardware flow control lines CTS and

RTS is highly recommended for applications that

transmits a continuous stream of data.

The module can be configured locally via the UART or

over-the-air. To support instant cable replacement,

auto-discovery/pairing does not require software con-

figuration. Additionally, the module supports auto-con-

nect master, I/O pin (DTR), and character-based trigger

modes.

FIGURE 1-1:

RN42/RN42N TO MCU

INTERFACE

Table 1-1, Table 1-2, Table 1-3, Table 1-4, and Table 1-

5 provide the module’s environmental conditions, elec-

trical characteristics, dimensions, radio characteristics,

and digital I/O characteristics.

1.2

ASCII Command and Data

Interface

The “Bluetooth Data Module Advanced User’s Guide”

provides a complete description of the ASCII command

and data interface for the RN42/RN42N module.

TABLE 1-1:

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Parameter

Value

Temperature Range (Operating)

Temperature Range (Storage)

Relative Humidity (Operating)

90%

Relative Humidity (Storage)

90%

Moisture Sensitivity Level

1

TABLE 1-2:

ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Parameter

Min.

Typ.

Max.

Units

Supply Voltage (DC)

3.0

3.3

3.6

V

Average Power Consumption

—40—

mA

Connected Idle (No Sniff)

—

25

—

mA

Connected Idle (Sniff 100 ms)

—

12

—

mA

Connected with Data Transfer

40

45

50

mA

Deep Sleep Idle Mode

—

26

—

A

Note 1:

This characteristic applies if, in Slave mode, there are bursts of radio on time that vary with the windows. The window setting

determines the average current.