Our Bluetooth Xpress BGX13 Bluetooth 5 modules make it easy for developers to add Bluetooth to their products without requiring any firmware development. In this Tech Talks session, field applications engineer, Andrew Krenz, describes how easy it is to simply drop-in our BGX modules and connect. Watch our video of this Tech Talks session for an in-depth description of BGX modules and a live-recorded demo. Click here to register for future Tech Talks. Highlights from Andrew's session are below.

What is BGX?

Our fully integrated Bluetooth Xpress (BGX) modules provide the simplest method for adding Bluetooth to your designs. Based on our certified Bluetooth wireless modules, BGX modules are pin-compatible with BGM13 and support all of Bluetooth 5's PHYs (1M, 2M and long-range coded PHYs). They offer multiset advertising and can act in either a central or peripheral role, so they can advertise and scan at the same time.

BGX modules are pre-programmed with software that provides a simple, easy-to-use UART serial interface. They are pre-certified in the US, Canada, Japan, South Korea and Europe, and are available in the following two sizes:

• BGX13P: 12.9 × 15.0 × 2.2 mm PCB module
• BGX13S: 6.5 × 6.5 × 1.4 mm SIP module

PCB guidelines are easy to follow and compatible with BGM counterparts, giving developers a forward migration path if they ever wish to add more features.

Security and power management are covered by low-energy secure pairing and a simple power management framework that allows the BGX to go into sleep mode while the UART is still active.

The two most common use cases for BGX are:

1. Wire replacement – BGX to BGX connection is simple and only requires a UART connection to the MCU host. At each end of the connection, the BGX modules can act as either a central or peripheral.
2. Adding Bluetooth LE smartphone to an embedded design – the BGX mobile framework API for iOS and Android makes it easy to connect and communicate with a Bluetooth link.

Xpress Mobile Framework Tool Simplifies Design

The Xpress Mobile Framework for iOS and Android enables wireless communication with smartphones and other Bluetooth Xpress devices. This framework abstracts low-level, core Bluetooth API functionalities behind a unified, high-level API and handles everything for the user with a minimum level of complexity. Firmware and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates are attainable with the smartphone app. A recent update involving the Xpress command API enables smartphones to read and write data, thus eliminating the need for an MCU.

Getting Started

Follow these simple steps to get started on your design:

1. Order an evaluation kit from Silicon Labs' Getting Started with Bluetooth Xpress page.
2. Download BGX Commander Mobile App for Android and iOS.
3. Download and install the latest version of Simplicity Studio.
4. Explore development resources, such as docs.silabs.com.

Adding Bluetooth to your products is now easier than ever. Our BGX modules and Xpress Configurator tool help you streamline the design process, enabling a faster time to market for your product.

For more information on our Wireless Xpress modules, contact your Silicon Sales representative.