https://www.cnx-software.com/2022/12/29/boufallo-lab-bl616-bl618-risc-v-mcu-wifi-6-bluetooth-5-2-zigbee/ Skip to content CNX Software - Embedded Systems NewsCNX Software - Embedded Systems News CNX Software - Embedded Systems News Reviews, tutorials and the latest news about embedded systems, IoT, open-source hardware, SBC's, microcontrollers, processors, and more Advertisement Menu * All News * Raspberry Pi * Arduino * Reviews * Tutorials * Shop * About + About + Contact Us + Advertisement & Consulting Services + Work for Us + Support CNX Software + Privacy Policy * PCBONLINE + PCB Fabrication + PCB Assembly + Box Build Assembly Posted on December 29, 2022December 29, 2022 by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 18 Comments on Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 RISC-V MCU supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 RISC-V MCU supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 is a 32-bit RISC-V wireless microcontroller with support for 2.4 GHz WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2 dual-mode, and an 802.15.4 radio for Zigbee, Thread, and Matter designed for IoT applications. We first spotted the BL616 RISC-V IoT MCU during the BL602/BL606 announcement in November 2020, but we had virtually no additional information about it so far. It appears both BL616 and BL618 will be launched next month with the main difference between the two being that BL616 has 19 GPIOs and BL618 comes with 35 GPIOs. BL616 BL818 block diagramBL616 BL818 block diagramBlock diagram Bouffalo Lab BL616 and BL618 specifications: * MCU core - 32-bit RISC-V CPU (RV32GCP) @ up to 384 MHz (datasheet says 320 MHz) with FPU and DSP, 32KB instruction cache & 16KB data cache * VPU - MJPEG video encoder * Memory - 480KB SRAM, 4KB HBN RAM, embedded 4 or 8MB pSRAM (optional) * Storage - 128KB ROM, 4Kb eFuse, embedded 2, 4, or 8MB flash (optional), XIP QSPI flash support, SD card interface * Wired networking - 10/100M Ethernet * Wireless + 2.4 GHz RF transceiver + Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11 b/g/n/ax) 1T1R up to 229.4 Mbps + Bluetooth 5.x dual-mode (classic + LE) + Zigbee / IEEE 802.15.4 + WiFi features o STA, SoftAP, STA+SoftAP, and sniffer modes o Security - WPS, WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA3 o LDPC, STBC, Beamforming, DL/UL OFDMA, MU-MIMO, TWT (Target Wake Time), SR(Spatial Reuse), DCM (Dual Carrier Modulation), ER (Extended Range) o IEEE 802.11e QoS WMM (Wi-Fi MultiMedia), IEEE 802.11w PMF (Protected Management Frames) * Display I/F - QSPI and DBI interfaces for LCD display * Camera - DVP interface * Audio Codec + 1x ADC (MIC, SNR > 92dB) + 1x DAC (Speaker, SNR > 95dB) + Sampling rates - 8, 12, 16, 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48KHz * Peripherals + USB - USB 2.0 HS OTG up to 480Mpbs + SDIO 2.0 slave + 2x UART (Support 5V IO) + 2x I2C with host mode support + SPI master/slave + I2S master/slave + 1x PWM (4-channel) + 12~16-bit general-purpose ADC + 10-bit general-purpose DAC + RTC timer + 2x 32-bit general-purpose timers + 4x DMA channels + General analog comparators (ACOMP) + GPIO - Up to 19x for BL616, up to 35x for BL618 * Security + Secure boot; Secure debug + XIP QSPI On-The-Fly AES Decryption (OTFAD) + Support sensitive SW isolation (TrustZone) + AES-CBC/CCM/GCM/XTS modes + MD5, SHA-1/224/256/384/512 + TRNG (True Random Number Generator) + PKA (Public Key Accelerator) for RSA/ECC * Clock + Support XTAL 24/26/32/38.4/40MHz + Support XTAL 32.768KHz + Internal RC 32KHz & 32MHz oscillator + Internal System & Audio PLL * Debugging - JTAG development support * Power Modes (Ultra-low Power modes) + Off ; Hibernate (<1uA) + Power Down Sleep (flexible) * Package Type + 40-pin QFN (BL616) + 56-pin QFN (BL618) Bouffalo BL161 and BL818 are supported by the latest version of the open-source bl_mcu_sdk MCU software development kit available on GitHub. You can download the datasheet and reference manual for more details about the microcontrollers. While the new Matter protocol is not mentioned in any of the documents, Bouffalo Lab will be using BL616 for WiFi Matter, BL618 in both Matter border routers and bridges. Sipeed BL616 moduleSipeed BL616 moduleSipeed M0S module with BL616 The BL616/8 was brought to my attention by Sipeed who is planning to launch the tiny (11x10mm) M0S module by mid-January 2023. The M0S is based on the BL616 RISC-V microcontroller @ up to 384 MHz with WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee, 4MB flash, 512KB SRAM, a ceramic antenna, USB 2.0, and a few other I/Os. Sipeed expects to sell it for less than $2 at launch. You can find more details about the module on Twitter. jean-luc aufranc cnxsoftjean-luc aufranc cnxsoft Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011. Share this: Support CNX Software! Donate via cryptocurrencies or become a Patron on Patreon ROCK Pi 4C PlusROCK Pi 4C Plus Tags802.15.4, ble, bluetooth, IoT, matter, module, sdk, sipeed, wifi 6, zigbee PCBWay custom PCB servicePCBWay custom PCB service Related posts: 1. $1.8 XT-ZB1 Zigbee & BLE devkit features BL702 RISC-V module 2. Freescale Kinetis KW41Z Wireless MCU Supports Bluetooth 4.2, Zigbee, and Thread 3. Samsung Introduces Artik 530 IoT Module & Development Kit with WiFi, BLE, and Zigbee/Thread 4. RushUp KITRA Board Family is based on Samsung Artik 020, Artik 520/530, or Artik 710 Modules 5. IoTSDR Linux Board Targets the Development of IoT Gateways with Standard or Custom IoT Protocols (Crowdfunding) Subscribe Login Notify of [new follow-up comments ] [ ] [>] Connect with: FacebookFacebook GoogleGoogle TwitterTwitter guestguest Label [ ] {} [+] [ ] [ ] Name* [ ] Email* [ ] Website [ ] I agree to the Privacy Policy The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment. [ ] [Post Comment] Connect with: FacebookFacebook GoogleGoogle TwitterTwitter guestguest Label [ ] {} [+] [ ] [ ] Name* [ ] Email* [ ] Website [ ] I agree to the Privacy Policy The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment. [ ] [Post Comment] 18 Comments oldest newest NikosNikos Nikos 2 days ago The 32bit riscv cpu in this bl616/bl618 looks a lot like one of the cpu cores inside bl808 (found in pine64 0x64) Reply vinvin vin 1 day ago I know you brought up the esp32-c6 ~1.5 years ago, and I had been to their site which showed they also use 802.15.4 (not mentioned in their news 1.5 years ago). It still doesn't look like it's for sale. I've been exploring Matter a little, and my nrf52840 is only capable of BT+802.15.4, while my esp32-c3 is only capable of 802.11+802.15.4. I thought it's be nice to have the whole gamut met with 802.11+802.15.4+BT. I'm wondering/hopeful I can use a single low-power device as a standalone Matter border router/bridge/gateway/ whatever, whereby I could communicate it via a PC of some sort... Read more >> Reply JacquesJacques Jacques 1 day ago vin As far as I know the ESP32-C3 does not support the 802.15.4 protocols (Zigbee, Matter...), only WiFi and BT, did I miss something? The only chip in the series with 802.15.4 support is the -H2 announced a very long while back but still not available. Reply Jon SmirlJon Smirl Jon Smirl 1 day ago Jacques Matter runs just fine on wifi. 802.15.4 Thread is an optional transport. Reply JacquesJacques Jacques 23 hours ago Jon Smirl When talking to other devices running Matter over WiFi or with a bridge somewhere, surely. But many power-constrained devices will only run on 802.15.4, and I believe that's the point being discussed here, otherwise any of the existing ESP32 chips will do. Reply Jon SmirlJon Smirl Jon Smirl 22 hours ago Jacques Here's a Matter to BLE Mesh bridge ready to go.. https://github.com/espressif/esp-matter/tree/main/examples/ blemesh_bridge Reply vinvin vin 17 hours ago Jon Smirl Interesting. I'll have to take a look. Seeing as it's for the c3, I'd only be able to communicate with other Matter BT/802.11 devices. I wonder if I'll be able to port it to my nrf52840 and use the Android chip-tool to communicate (dunno if the chip-tool only goes over 802.11)... Reply Jon SmirlJon Smirl Jon Smirl 5 minutes ago vin It runs on every ESP32 with BLE and wifi. Reply Jon SmirlJon Smirl Jon Smirl 4 minutes ago vin Run BLE mesh on your nrf52840, you can download it from Nordic. Reply vinvin vin 17 hours ago Jacques Agh, yeah, I had meant 802.11+BT for c3. I had that correct in posts elsewhere. If it were 802.11+802.15.4, then I'd think I could use that as a standalone border router. Reply fhfsfhfs fhfs 1 day ago Very interesting, definitely being made to allow for Matter devices. The firmware for the nRF52840 Matter samples are like 700-900kb. All the Matter Samples for the nRF52840 use a SPI Flash chip, that is also present on the nRF52840-DK Reply DavidDavid David 1 day ago Something feels kind-of lop-sided with this chip. Why are there a bunch of radios supported but there's only one core? External XiP QSPI storage support exists but I think it will be lonely too without that second core, especially in ML applications. Then it supports On-The-Fly AES decryption but no OTF AES encryption; so I guess all two-way communications are going to be highly asymmetric? From the the Twitter thread it says the chip will support Python scripting out-of-the-box (I'm assuming it's really MicroPython) which IMO is a mistake (yeah the ML obsession pivots on Python). For obvious reasons (speed... Read more >> Reply JJJJJJ JJJ 1 day ago David The "on the fly" decryption is for loading encrypted firmware blocks, not for communication. Also it needs QSPI XIP because there is no on-die flash. I'm pretty sure it doesn't have trustzone, because that is an arm technology (and trademark!). This device is pretty much an ESP32 with some slightly different peripherals and a slightly faster clock speed. As always, these new devices are useless without good documentation and BSP, and I'm yet to see anything super compelling from these BL devices. Reply andelfandelf andelf 1 day ago JJJ Yeah, espressif's alternative - even if would use two esp32 - is probably better to work with due to far superior documentation Also, 4 dma channels seems low.. Reply JeroenJeroen Jeroen 1 day ago JJJ True, specs are nice, but whitout a good BSP/SDK its useless, and the Bouffalo docs seem to be minimal and chineese. Reply XyzzyXyzzy Xyzzy 22 hours ago JJJ Do any of the ESP32s have an audio codec? Reply zoobabzoobab zoobab 3 hours ago Btw riscv64 toolchain is looking for a debian maintainer: https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=1015206 Reply Weller PCB manufacturerWeller PCB manufacturer Post navigation Previous PostPrevious Pico-ITX SBC features NXP i.MX 93 LGA system-on-module Next PostNext Pironman review - A Raspberry Pi 4 enclosure with M.2 SATA, safe power off, RGB LED strip, and more Search for:[ ]Search Button Intel Xeon D-2700 COM-HPC moduleIntel Xeon D-2700 COM-HPC module Trending Posts - Last 7 Days * SONOFF ZBMINI Extreme tiny Zigbee smart switch does not require a neutral wire 13.7k views | 8 comments * Lichee Pi 4A RISC-V SBC takes on Raspberry Pi 4 with TH1520 processor 11.7k views | 15 comments * Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 RISC-V MCU supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee 7.7k views | 15 comments * Merlot is an open-source hardware tricolor wireless E-paper display 4k views | 5 comments * Achronix Speedster7t AC7t1500 FPGA is now available for high-bandwidth applications 3.9k views | 10 comments Subscribe to Comments RSS Feed SPONSORS Gateworks rugged industrial IoT SBCGateworks rugged industrial IoT SBC UGOOS products 2022UGOOS products 2022 Geniatech SBC, Arm box PCGeniatech SBC, Arm box PC DS03 digital signageDS03 digital signage Mekotronics R58X-4G RK3588 8K Arm mini PCMekotronics R58X-4G RK3588 8K Arm mini PC RAKWireless Buy Raspberry Pi 4RAKWireless Buy Raspberry Pi 4 Recent Comments * Jon Smirl on Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 RISC-V MCU supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee * Jon Smirl on Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 RISC-V MCU supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee * Jon Smirl on Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 RISC-V MCU supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee * Jeff Geerling on Year 2022 in review - Top 10 posts and statistics * zoobab on Bouffalo Lab BL616/BL618 RISC-V MCU supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and Zigbee become of MECOOL distributorbecome of MECOOL distributor Latest Reviews * Khadas VIM1S reviewKhadas VIM1S reviewKhadas VIM1S review - Ubuntu 22.04 tested on an Amlogic S905Y4 SBC In this review of Khadas VIM1S SBC, we'll install Ubuntu 22.04, and report our experience testing the [...] * Pironman reviewPironman reviewPironman review - A Raspberry Pi 4 enclosure with M.2 SATA, safe power off, RGB LED strip, and more SunFounder Pironman is a Raspberry Pi 4 enclosure inspired by Michael Klement's DIY Raspberry Pi 4 mini [...] * TOOCA Laser L1 reviewTOOCA Laser L1 reviewTOOCA Laser L1 review - An affordable 5W laser engraver ELECFREAKS' TOOCA Laser L1 is an affordable 5W laser engraver with a sturdy yet lightweight structure [...] Follow CNX Software on Google NewsFollow CNX Software on Google News Email subscriptionEmail subscription Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data Copyright 2022 - CNX Software Limited Privacy Policy This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 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