BLUENRG-M0A - BLE v4.2 Module, -85dBm, 2.4GHz | STMicroelectronics
MPN: BLUENRG-M0A ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $5.14 | $5.14 |
| 10 | $4.88 | $48.80 |
| 100 | $4.42 | $442.00 |
| 500 | $3.96 | $1,980.00 |
| 1,000 | $3.51 | $3,510.00 |
BLUENRG-M0A Overview
A Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module is a self-contained radio subsystem that integrates the transceiver IC, crystal, antenna, and matching network into a single surface-mount unit, allowing designers to add wireless connectivity without RF layout expertise. Within the connectivity hierarchy, BLE sits below Wi-Fi in data rate (typically 1 Mbps) but offers much lower power consumption (peak currents in the single-digit milliamp range), making it the preferred choice for coin-cell and energy-harvesting IoT devices. The BLE module category itself bridges wireless transceiver ICs and complete wireless modules.
Key specifications include 20 mA peak transmit current, ultra-low sleep current, SPI host interface (up to 8 MHz), and an integrated 32 MHz crystal. The module supports master and slave roles simultaneously and operates from -40 °C to +85 °C. According to the BlueNRG-M0 modules flyer, the BLUENRG-M0A is pin-compatible with the BLUENRG-M0L ceramic antenna variant, enabling designers to migrate between antenna types on the same PCB footprint.
The BlueNRG-MS die inside the module uses a Cortex-M0 core architecture with embedded Bluetooth protocol stack, offloading all link-layer and host-stack processing from the external host MCU. This network-processor approach minimizes host-side firmware complexity while preserving full BLE v4.2 feature coverage, including LE Privacy 1.2, LE Data Length Extension, and up to eight simultaneous connections.
Typical applications include wearable fitness bands, BLE beacons (iBeacon and Eddystone), industrial sensor nodes, smart home bridges, medical monitoring patches, and remote control units. The combination of pre-certified module-level compliance and ultra-low power makes it particularly suitable for battery-powered products targeting FCC, CE, IC, TELEC, and KCC regulatory domains.
When designing with the BLUENRG-M0A, route the host SPI bus with short traces and 50 Ω-controlled impedance where possible, and place at least 5 mm of clearance around the chip antenna area to avoid ground-plane detuning. Decoupling VDDL with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the pin ensures stable operation across load transients.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, drop-in compatible alternatives across the BlueNRG module family, and practical RF design notes not found in the standalone datasheet - including a parameter-by-parameter comparison against the M0L, M2SA, and M2SP variants.
Drop-in alternatives for BLUENRG-M0A — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with BLUENRG-M0A (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Operating Temperature.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
BLUENRG-M0L
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$5.2 / Unit
View Datasheet →BLUENRG-M2SA
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BLUENRG-M2SP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
SPBTLE-RF
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BLUENRG-MS
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
BLUENRG-M0A Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Product Type | Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Module |
| Bluetooth Standard | v4.2 (BLE single-mode) |
| Operating Frequency Band | 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz |
| Maximum TX Power | +8 dBm |
| Receiver Sensitivity | -85 dBm |
| Host Interface | SPI (up to 8 MHz) |
| Roles Supported | Master / Slave (simultaneous) |
| Integrated Antenna | Chip antenna (surface mount) |
| On-board SoC | BlueNRG-MS (network processor) |
| TX Peak Current | 20 mA (typical at +8 dBm) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C |
| Package Type | Surface-mount module with chip antenna |
| Mounting Style | Surface Mount |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Certifications (pre-certified) | FCC, CE, IC, TELEC, KCC (per ST flyer) |
| Simultaneous Connections | Up to 8 |
BLUENRG-M0A Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | GND — Ground return |
| Pin 2 | VDD — Module supply voltage input |
| Pin 3 | RESET — Active-low reset input to BlueNRG-MS |
| Pin 4 | CSN — SPI chip-select (active low) |
| Pin 5 | SCLK — SPI serial clock (up to 8 MHz) |
| Pin 6 | MOSI — SPI master-out slave-in data |
| Pin 7 | MISO — SPI master-in slave-out data |
| Pin 8 | IRQ — Host interrupt request from BlueNRG-MS |
Power & Thermal Characteristics
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Power input and thermal parameters for BLUENRG-M0A as published by the manufacturer.
Typical Applications
BLUENRG-M0A is suitable for 6 applications: Wearable Fitness Bands, BLE Beacons (iBeacon / Eddystone), Industrial Sensor Nodes, Smart Home Bridges, Medical Monitoring Patches, BLE Remote Controls.
Wearable Fitness Bands
The BLUENRG-M0A fits wearable fitness bands because its 20 mA peak TX current and ultra-low sleep current allow coin-cell operation for weeks of battery life. The -85 dBm receiver sensitivity ensures reliable heart-rate strap reception even when the wrist is shadowed by the body. Unlike Wi-Fi radios, the BLE v4.2 stack uses minimal airtime per data packet, extending battery life. The module's small footprint fits wristband PCBs and the integrated chip antenna eliminates external antenna assembly.
Recommended
BLE Beacons (iBeacon / Eddystone)
The BLUENRG-M0A is ideal for BLE beacon deployments in retail and indoor-positioning because of its +8 dBm TX power, providing broad coverage with fewer beacons per zone. The BLE v4.2 stack supports both iBeacon (Apple) and Eddystone (Google) advertising formats natively. Compared to Wi-Fi-based positioning, BLE beacons operate at a fraction of the power and cost. The module's industrial -40 °C to +85 °C range supports outdoor and refrigerated retail environments.
Recommended
Industrial Sensor Nodes
The BLUENRG-M0A serves industrial sensor nodes because its -40 °C to +85 °C operating range covers harsh factory environments and its SPI host interface pairs with standard industrial sensors. The +8 dBm TX output provides strong link margin against metal obstructions typical in factory floors. The module-level FCC/CE/IC certifications eliminate per-product RF compliance work, accelerating time-to-market for industrial IoT deployments.
Recommended
Smart Home Bridges
The BLUENRG-M0A suits smart home bridge devices because it supports up to 8 simultaneous BLE connections, allowing a single bridge to aggregate data from multiple end-node sensors. The module's SPI host interface connects to common gateway MCUs running Linux or RTOS. Pre-certified compliance across FCC, CE, IC, TELEC, and KCC lets manufacturers ship globally without region-specific RF testing.
Recommended
Medical Monitoring Patches
The BLUENRG-M0A fits disposable medical monitoring patches because its ultra-low sleep current minimizes battery drain between measurement transmissions, extending patch lifetime to 5-7 days. The BLE v4.2 stack supports the Bluetooth Medical Device Profile and standard health-data formats. The small module footprint enables skin-adhesive patch form factors and the integrated chip antenna works reliably when worn close to the body.
Recommended
BLE Remote Controls
The BLUENRG-M0A powers BLE remote controls because its low power profile supports multi-year coin-cell operation with daily use patterns. The +8 dBm TX output ensures reliable operation at typical couch-to-TV distances and through the user's body. Compared to IR remotes, BLE provides two-way feedback (e.g., voice search, find-my-remote features) without line-of-sight constraints. The module's pre-certified compliance simplifies global product launches.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for BLUENRG-M0A — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | BLUENRG-M0L | BLUENRG-M2SA | BLUENRG-M2SP | SPBTLE-RF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics | STMicroelectronics |
| Package | Surface-mount module with chip antenna | Surface-mount module with ceramic antenna | Surface-mount module with chip antenna | Surface-mount module with PCB antenna | Surface-mount module with chip antenna |
| Bluetooth Standard | v4.2 | v4.2 | v5.0 | v5.0 | v4.2 |
| Maximum TX Power | +8 dBm | +8 dBm | +8 dBm | +8 dBm | +4 dBm |
| Receiver Sensitivity | -85 dBm | -85 dBm | -88 dBm | -88 dBm | -84 dBm |
| On-board SoC | BlueNRG-MS | BlueNRG-MS | BlueNRG-2 (Cortex-M0 + 256kB Flash) | BlueNRG-2 (Cortex-M0 + 256kB Flash) | BlueNRG-MS |
| Host Interface | SPI up to 8 MHz | SPI up to 8 MHz | SPI/UART/I2C | SPI/UART/I2C | SPI up to 8 MHz |
| Operating Temperature | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C | -40 °C to +85 °C |
Key Differentiators
- Highest TX power in the BlueNRG module family at v4.2 (vs SPBTLE-RF)
- Drop-in compatibility with M0L ceramic antenna variant (vs BLUENRG-M0L)
- Network processor offload reduces host MCU load (vs Modules requiring host-side stack)
Design Notes
Reserve at least 5 mm of clearance around the chip antenna region of the BLUENRG-M0A. Do not place ground copper, traces, or components under the antenna pad - this detunes the antenna and degrades both TX power and RX sensitivity. Mount the module at the edge of the host PCB with the antenna facing outward whenever possible. Metal enclosures within 10 mm of the antenna will reduce range significantly.
Decouple the module VDD pin with a 100 nF ceramic capacitor placed within 3 mm of the VDD pad and a 10 µF bulk capacitor nearby. The BlueNRG-MS die draws peak currents of 20 mA during TX bursts, and inadequate decoupling causes VDD sag that may trigger the internal brown-out reset. For battery-powered designs, place the bulk capacitor close enough that it can supply the 20 mA transient without significant droop.
Do not assume SPI bus isolation - keep the SPI traces short (under 25 mm where possible) and add series resistors near the host MCU if signal integrity issues arise. The MISO line carries data from the module to host and must be valid before the host samples on SCLK rising edge. Confirm that your host MCU's SPI peripheral can support the 8 MHz clock rate the BLUENRG-M0A requires for full-throughput HCI command handling.
Estimated: at continuous +8 dBm TX with 20 mA peak current and 3.3 V supply, the module dissipates approximately 66 mW during transmit bursts. The average dissipation is far lower due to BLE duty-cycling, so no heatsinking is required. However, in enclosure designs with limited airflow, verify case temperature does not exceed 60 °C to keep junction rise comfortable. Industrial-grade -40 °C to +85 °C operating range provides ample thermal margin for typical IoT applications.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliant per Verified Electronics product listing. Pre-certified to FCC, CE, IC, TELEC, KCC per ST BlueNRG Modules flyer. Not AEC-Q100 qualified - this is a commercial/industrial BLE module, not automotive grade.
