Bluetooth SMD Module - RN-41

Replacement:WRL-12575. The firmware on this Roving Networks product has been updated from version 4.77 to the 6.15 version. Go check it out! This page is for reference only.

This module from Roving Networks is powerful, small, and very easy to use. This Bluetooth module is designed to replace serial cables. The Bluetooth****stack is completely encapsulated. The end user just sees serial characters being transmitted back and forth. 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.

Note: These modules have been revised to remove three unused RF pads from the bottom of the module. For more information on what pads were removed and why, check out the change notes below.

****module * FCC Certified * Fully configurable UART * UART Data rates up to 3Mbps * Over air data rate of 721kbps to 2.0Mbps * Low power sleep mode * Compatible with all Bluetooth****products that support SPP (almost all do) * 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

Replaces:WRL-08497

  • Fully qualified Bluetooth
  • Datasheet
  • AT Command Set
  • [Product Change Notes](http://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Wireless/Bluetooth/20111130-RN41 v1.0r.pdf)

Bluetooth SMD Module - RN-41 Product Help and Resources

Using the BlueSMiRF

September 16, 2013

How to get started using the BlueSMiRF and Bluetooth Mate Silvers.

Core Skill: Soldering

This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.

3 Soldering

Skill Level: Competent - You will encounter surface mount components and basic SMD soldering techniques are required.
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Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

3 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • Member #450621 / about 11 years ago / 2

    mouser is a full wholesale distr. and sells by quantity discounts, as do most wholesalers.
    the data sheet is clear see second bullet !, it states. "Backwards-compatible with Bluetooth version 2.0, 1.2, and 1.1 " read the real data sheets and the real full PDF, this module is far better than any HC05 sold, and 1000 time better docs and support. I wish now that i didn't waste my time on CSR parts (HC05)

    using three?, of these. the pdf above shows. only 1 master talking to 1 slave. RTM.

    my wish,why not make sell this module mounted, to a base board, with header pins so we can connect to it. those castellated pins are very hard to use. unless doing a custom PCB SMT layout. If I missed a base board, please post that.

    • Member #542563 / about 11 years ago / 1

      How is this module better than HC05? Just wondering, I'm using HC05 only as a slave device, what do I gain switching to this?

  • Member #625664 / about 10 years ago / 1

    quick question: is SM,6 supported on this firmware? i can't seem to find any reference in the revision history... tia

  • Member #450621 / about 11 years ago / 1

    i got it working, sweet, and my code is there too. (under RN41) http://www.fixkick.com/ELM327/taurus-sim/hacked.html#MPG

  • dnear1 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I was thinking to use three of these units. One as a base and two as remotes. Both remotes would need to connect simultaneously with the base (Data rate will be really low and intermittent, but random). Is that possible with these Bluetooth modules? Or do I have to use Zigbee?

  • Member #229304 / about 12 years ago / 1

    Why no quantity price breaks? :(

  • thebrit / about 12 years ago / 1

    BTW - This is BT2.1 with EDR, not BT2.0 as listed in the bullets above.

  • thebrit / about 12 years ago / 1

    Cool - a long range (100m) version of the RN42

Customer Reviews

5 out of 5

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1 of 1 found this helpful:

Very Nice Module

This module is being evaluated for use in a home brew remote data acquisition project where data gathered by an Arduino based unit is transmitted to a PC.

Compared to a Class 2 unit the range is greater with this Class 1 unit (paired with another Class 1 transceiver) but so far my tests show it is not near the claimed 100 meters line of sight. This may be due to my setup configuration (despite using the highest power available setting) and data rates so more evaluation is needed before I can make a good claim about the range..

One advantage is that this module has flexible configuration options so the operation can be finely tailored to the application such as it can be configured to operate as either a slave or a master and with a wide selection of BAUD rates.

Assembly into a hobbyist's project can be a bit daunting without a carrier board but even those without SMD capability can manage by soldering lead wires to the half vias needed for use and then treating this like a part with leads. Only a few connections are needed for usable operation.

For the price, there is not much risk in trying this unit for a project and there is a high probability that it will work as intended. The datasheets are very detailed and helpful and interfacing to a 5 volt system is not too difficult but do some reading about this before hooking them together. .