BCM20795H2KFB1G: A Comprehensive Technical Overview of Broadcom's Bluetooth Solution
The BCM20795H2KFB1G represents a highly integrated, low-power system-on-a-chip (SoC) from Broadcom (now a part of Cypress Semiconductor, which was subsequently acquired by Infineon Technologies) designed specifically for advanced Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) applications. This chip is a cornerstone in the development of modern wireless peripherals, beacons, and IoT devices, offering a blend of performance, power efficiency, and integration that has made it a popular choice among designers.
Architecture and Core Features
At its heart, the BCM20795H2KFB1G is built around an advanced ARM Cortex-M3 processor core. This 32-bit RISC processor provides the computational horsepower necessary for handling the Bluetooth protocol stack, application code, and any custom firmware, all while maintaining excellent power efficiency. The integration of the processor, memory (Flash and RAM), and all radio components into a single monolithic die is a key factor in its compact form factor and low bill-of-materials cost.
A critical aspect of this solution is its fully compliant Bluetooth 5.0 radio. This support enables features that are essential for modern applications, including 2x the speed (2Mbps PHY), 4x the range (Coded PHY with Forward Error Correction), and 8x the advertising data capacity compared to Bluetooth 4.2. This makes the chip ideal for devices that require robust, long-range connections or need to transfer data more quickly, such as advanced wireless audio peripherals or data-dense sensor hubs.
Unparalleled Power Efficiency for Battery-Powered Devices
Power management is a defining strength of the BCM20795H2KFB1G. It incorporates sophisticated low-power modes, including a deep sleep state that consumes merely nanoamps of current. This allows devices like a computer mouse or a smart tag to remain in a low-power "always-on" state for months or even years on a single coin-cell battery, only waking the high-performance radio when a connection is established or data needs to be transmitted. This ultra-low power operation is paramount for the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Integration and Ease of Design
The SoC is designed to simplify the end-product design process. It integrates a comprehensive suite of peripherals, including:
Programmable GPIOs for interfacing with sensors, buttons, and LEDs.
Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADC) for connecting to analog sensors.
PWM outputs for controlling motors or LED lighting.
Serial interfaces such as UART, SPI, and I2C for communication with other chips.
This high level of integration reduces the need for external components, minimizing the PCB footprint and overall system cost. Furthermore, Broadcom provided a robust software development kit (SDK) and profiles, allowing developers to quickly implement standard Bluetooth functionalities like HID (Human Interface Device) for keyboards and mice or GATT (Generic Attribute Profile) for custom IoT services.
Target Applications
The feature set of the BCM20795H2KFB1G targets a wide array of applications:
PC Peripherals: Wireless mice, keyboards, and presenters.
Gaming Controllers: Remote controls and accessories for consoles and VR.
IoT Sensors and Beacons: Asset tracking tags, proximity beacons, and smart home sensors.
Wearable Devices: Fitness trackers and smartwatches requiring constant, low-energy connectivity.
ICGOOODFIND
The BCM20795H2KFB1G stands as a testament to the engineering required to drive the wireless revolution. Its combination of a powerful ARM core, a fully-featured Bluetooth 5.0 radio, and exceptional power efficiency in a highly integrated package made it a benchmark solution. It successfully bridged the gap between high performance and the ultra-low power demands of modern, connected consumer and industrial devices, cementing its role in countless products worldwide.
Keywords: Bluetooth 5.0, Low Power, ARM Cortex-M3, System-on-Chip (SoC), IoT
