Sera NX040 Series - UWB + Bluetooth LE + NFC Modules
Overview
Now available: The UWB 4 Click, powered by our Sera NX040!
The time has come for Ultra-Wideband (UWB) to grow beyond the consumer and automotive segments into mainstream IoT devices. Our innovative integration of the best wireless silicon from NXP and Nordic Semiconductor has produced the secure, flexible Sera NX040 range.
The series features tightly integrated hardware and RF designs, all optimized for low power operation and reducing the need for external clocks, filters and components. Already using Bluetooth LE for basic beaconing or RSSI-based ranging? Now, easily advance to the next level with NFC and UWB for more granular locationing and positioning. This granularity yields much higher accuracy compared to RSSI-only proximity applications in industrial environments.
The Sera NX040 series provides added value hardware and software capabilities to accelerate your development of UWB/BLE applications:
- Rapid firmware app development in Python with on-module scripting engine via our Canvas Software Suite
- Ranging toolkit: visualization and sample applications available
- Built on Zephyr RTOS for extensibility
- Tag-to-tag and tag-as-anchor applications for fast evaluation
- Mobile app for easy configuration and view of real-time tag status
- AT Command set for hosted designs, with host-side libraries
Buy Now
Build Your Wireless IoT Application with Canvas
Our Canvas™ software suite enables rapid embedded development across our MCU-based wireless products. Cross-chipset middleware, easy-to-use wireless APIs, on-module scripting and intuitive desktop/mobile tools are all available to dramatically ease embedded development.
Start Prototyping with our DVK Demos!
Our development kits and Canvas Software Suite provide several demos and sample applications to rapidly accelerate your UWB development. Our ranging toolkit sample application provides visualization of range finding between DVKs using the Xbit Desktop tool. The Xbit Desktop tool requires the Nordic/Zephyr-enabled USB adapter (part # 451-00004) to provide a Bluetooth Low Energy interface to the UWB DVKs.
To run two-way ranging and other sample applications, a Nordic/Zephyr-enabled USB adapter is required.
Development Kits
-
453-00174-K1
Note: To run two-way ranging and 3D positioning demos, the BL654 USB adapter # 451-00004 is required as well.
Additional DescriptionSera NX040 - UWB / Bluetooth LE Development Kit, MHF4L Connectors
Includes antennas: NanoUWB, 2.4GHz FlexPIFA, NFC antenna -
453-00175-K1
Note: To run two-way ranging and 3D positioning demos, the BL654 USB adapter # 451-00004 is required as well.
Additional DescriptionSera NX040 - UWB / Bluetooth LE Development Kit, Integrated Antenna
Certified Antennas
Specifications
Nordic Semiconductor – nRF52833
Bluetooth LE v5.4
NFC
2x MHF4L Connector
Bluetooth SIG and FiRa Consortium certified
OTA via BLE (FW and Python application scripts)
DAPLink via SWD/JTAG (FW)
AT Command Set
Configuration via mobile app
Ranging toolkit for visualization
Sample applications for python and AT commands
Part Number | Price @ 1k | Antenna Type | Chipset (Wireless) | Interfaces - General | Packaging | Product Type | Software | System Architecture | Technology |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
453-00174CBuy Options | N/A | External | NXP Trimension SR040, Nordic nRF52833-CJAA | UART, USB, GPIO, ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C | Cut Tape | Embedded Module | AT Commands, Zephyr, Python Scripting | Hosted or hostless | Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, NFC |
453-00174RBuy Options | N/A | External | NXP Trimension SR040, Nordic nRF52833-CJAA | UART, USB, GPIO, ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C | Tape and Reel | Embedded Module | AT Commands, Zephyr, Python Scripting | Hosted or hostless | Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, NFC |
453-00175CBuy Options | N/A | Internal | NXP Trimension SR040, Nordic nRF52833-CJAA | UART, USB, GPIO, ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C | Cut Tape | Embedded Module | AT Commands, Zephyr, Python Scripting | Hosted or hostless | Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, NFC |
453-00175RBuy Options | N/A | Internal | NXP Trimension SR040, Nordic nRF52833-CJAA | UART, USB, GPIO, ADC, PWM, SPI, I2C | Tape and Reel | Embedded Module | AT Commands, Zephyr, Python Scripting | Hosted or hostless | Bluetooth 5.4, UWB, NFC |
Documentation
Can I develop my application on the NX040 using the nRF Connect SDK?
No. The nRF Connect SDK is not supported as the SW interface to the NXP SR040 UWB device is not publicly available. The NX040 supports command/response AT Interface or Ezurio Canvas FW with MicroPython scripting for application development.
The Sera NX040 datasheet specifies a power supply range of 1.8V-3.6V with 3.3V being typical. Are there any conditions that would require a higher voltage than 1.8V?
The module works down to 1.8V and there are no technical issues with using a 1.8V power supply. However, designs may want to consider setting the lower voltage limit as 2.0V as it is possible that a UWB current spike could occur when the host or BLE radio is doing some other function which could potentially cause a brownout/reset on the UWB chip.
Why can’t the Sera NX040 module configured as a responder in a two-way ranging configuration use a coin cell battery?
One of the NX040 UWB module power supply options is battery supply – limited peak current capability mode. This mode is typically reserved for tags who are considered Initiators. In a two-way ranging session, devices configured in a responder role are continuously listening in receive mode for an initiator. The current draw in receive mode is too high for a battery to support.
Similarly, in a 3D positioning setup, the device used as an anchor (responder) will need to be externally powered.
Tag (initiator) devices can run on a battery given they do not need to be listening for other devices.
The Sera 040 DVK is not being recognised by Windows, where do I find dapi drivers?
Windows should natively support the Sera 040 DVK using CMIS-DAP v2 interface drivers that will appear in device manager under Universal Serial Bus devices.
If in Windows device manager you see an error with CMIS-DAP v2 interface in other devices then it may be that you are using a USB hub or dock that is preventing Windows from properly identifying the Sera 040 DVK. In which case try plugging the DVK directly into a USB port on your laptop or PC and it should be discovered automatically
I am having problems installing pyocd for Python
At the time of writing there may be issues installing pyocd for Python 3.12. If you experience issues such as failing to build wheel for hidapi, try reverting to Python 3.10 or 3.11.
We have also seen issue where pyocd reports an error during install, requiring VS C++ build tools. Be sure to install the C++ build tools using the link in the error. If the C++ build tools install fail then try to temporarily disable virus checking (or consult with your IT department) as we have seen some antivirus block some VS scripts used during build tool installation.
Can I send data over the UWB channel using Laird's Sera NX040 UWB tag?
Data transfer over the UWB channel is not currently supported by NXP's firmware that is loaded to Laird's Sera NX040 UWB tag.
What kind of accuracy can be expected with the NX040, relative to two-way ranging?
Laird's NX040 has an accuracy of +/-10cm for two-way ranging.
What is Fira and do I need to be a member to use UWB?
fira is the industry consortium that defines the UWB ranging specification and certifies products for the purposes of interoperability. The name stands for "fine ranging".
There are various levels of fira membership as listed at the link below
Ezurio (formerly Laird Connectivity) is an adopter member of fira.
fira membership is required to access specifications (fira intellectual property) and to certify end products.
Resource Center
-
Laird Connectivity Combines Bluetooth LE and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) in a Seamless Solution for Proximity and Pinpoint Accuracy with the Sera NX040
Precise, Granular Positioning and Processing for Medical and Industrial IoT Devices
-
Now Available: The UWB 4 Click, Powered by our Sera NX040 and Brought to You by MIKROE
Our Sera NX040 joins MIKROE’s massive ecosystem of Click boards, which offers countless electronic components with a common connector and extensive software support.
-
Understanding Ultra-Wideband and Where To Use It
You’re probably familiar with UWB as the location technology made famous by consumer devices such as Apple AirTags. But this technology is broadly applicable as a solution to MANY problems – and in many industries as well.
Become an Ezurio Customer to Gain Exclusive Access to Our Design Experts
- Antenna Scans
- Antenna selection and placement
- Custom antenna design
- Worldwide EMC testing / certifications
- Embedded RF hardware / firmware design
- Cloud architecture and integration
- Mobile application development
- Product & Industrial Design
Distributors
Distributor | Phone Number | Region | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Arrow Electronics | 1-855-326-4757 +44 2039 365486 |
APAC, North America, South America, EMEA | Website |
Avnet | 1-480-643-2000 +44 1628 512900 |
APAC, North America, South America, EMEA | Website |
Braemac Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia | +61 2 9550 6600 +64 9 477 2148 |
APAC | Website |
Cal-Chip Connect | 1-215-942-8900 |
North America | Website |
DigiKey | 1-800-344-4539 |
North America, South America, APAC, EMEA | Website |
EBV Elektronik | EMEA | Website | |
Farlink Technology China, Hong Kong | +86 13266922199 |
APAC | Website |
Farnell | 1-800-936-198 +44 3447 11 11 22 |
EMEA | Website |
Future Electronics | 1-800-675-1619 1-514-428-8470 |
North America, South America, APAC, EMEA | Website |
Glyn | +49-6126-590-0 |
EMEA | Website |
Hy-Line Germany Only | +49 89 614 503 0 |
EMEA | Website |
Jetronic China, Hong Kong and Taiwan | 852-27636806 |
APAC | Website |
Laird Connectivity | 1-847-839-6925 +44 1628 858941 |
North America, South America, APAC, EMEA | Website |
M2M Germany | +49-6081-587386-0 |
EMEA | Website |
Martinsson | +46 8 7440300 |
EMEA | Website |
McCoy South East Asia | +65 6515 2988 |
APAC | Website |
Mouser | 1-800-346-6873 +44 1494 427500 |
North America, South America, APAC, EMEA | Website |
RS Components | +852-2421-9898 +44 3457-201201 |
North America, South America, APAC, EMEA | Website |
Ryoyo Japan | +81-3-3543-7711 |
APAC | Website |
Solsta UK Only | +44 (0) 1527 830800 |
EMEA | Website |
Supreme Components International India, South East Asia | +65 6848-1178 |
APAC | Website |
Symmetry Electronics | 1-866-506-8829 |
North America | Website |
Tekdis Australia and New Zealand | +61 3 8669 1210 |
APAC | Website |
Telsys | +972 3 7657666 |
EMEA | Website |
WPG | +44 1628 958460 |
EMEA | Website |