RN-41 Bluetooth Module Carrier (firmware version 4.77)

New version available: This product has been replaced by the RN-41 Bluetooth Module Carrier. This product has firmware version 4.77. The replacement has version 6.15.

Overview

This simple DIP breakout board from SparkFun for the Roving Networks RN-41 Bluetooth module lets you add a Bluetooth interface to a device that has a 3.3V serial port. Two 0.1" headers spaced 0.8" apart makes it easy to use with standard solderless breadboards and 0.1" perfboards. All pertinent pins are broken out and labeled.

The RN-41 Bluetooth module is designed to replace serial cables; the Bluetooth stack is completely encapsulated. Using the TX and RX pins, the end user just deals with serial bytes: press the “A” character from a terminal program on your computer and an “A” will be pushed out the TX pin of the Bluetooth module. For computers that do not already have Bluetooth radios, you can use a USB-to-serial adapter to connect the Bluetooth module to a computer.

Warning: The RN-41 is a 3.3V device. Attaching it directly to a computer’s RS-232-voltage-level serial port will break it. External components (such as voltage dividers) are required when interfacing with 5V systems.

Features

• Fully-qualified Bluetooth module
• FCC certified
• Fully-configurable UART
• UART data rates up to 3Mbps for distances up to 100 meters
• Over-air data rate of 721kbps to 2.0Mbps
• Low power sleep mode
• Compatible with Bluetooth products that support SPP
• Includes support for BCSP, DUN, LAN, GAP SDP, RFCOMM, and L2CAP protocols
• 3.3V operation
• Status pin
• Bluetooth technology v2.0 compatible
• Class 1 power output
• Firmware version 4.77

Note: SparkFun calls this product the “Bluetooth DIP Module – Roving Networks”, SKU: WRL-10144