How to Use Adafruit nRF8001 Breakout: Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Adafruit nRF8001 Breakout is a versatile and user-friendly Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module that enables wireless communication between microcontrollers and BLE-enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets. This breakout board is designed to make it easy to integrate BLE functionality into your projects without requiring extensive knowledge of Bluetooth technology.

• Wearable devices
• Fitness gadgets
• Wireless sensor networks
• Home automation
• Mobile device accessories

• Supply Voltage (VCC): 3.3V
• I/O Logic Level: 3.3V (5V tolerant)
• Current Consumption: 12.5mA active, 3uA sleep mode
• Frequency: 2.4GHz ISM band
• Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy
• Range: Up to 60 feet (18 meters) in open space

1. Powering the Module: Connect the VIN pin to a 3.3V supply, and the GND pin to the ground of your power supply.
2. SPI Communication: Connect the SCK, MOSI, and MISO pins to the corresponding SPI pins on your microcontroller.
3. Control Pins: Connect the REQ, RDY, and RST pins to available digital I/O pins on your microcontroller.
4. Activity Monitoring (Optional): Connect the ACT pin to an I/O pin if you wish to monitor the radio activity.

• Ensure that the power supply is clean and stable to prevent any damage to the module.
• Use pull-up resistors on the REQ, RDY, and RST pins if your microcontroller does not have built-in pull-ups.
• When using with a 5V microcontroller, ensure that the I/O pins are 5V tolerant or use level shifters.
• Keep the antenna area of the nRF8001 breakout clear of metal and other materials that may interfere with the signal.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_BLE_UART.h>

// Connect REQ to pin 10, RDY to pin 2, RST to pin 9
Adafruit_BLE_UART BTLESerial = Adafruit_BLE_UART(10, 2, 9);

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  BTLESerial.begin();
}

void loop() {
  BTLESerial.pollACI();
  
  // If there's data available from the BLE module
  if (BTLESerial.available()) {
    char c = BTLESerial.read();
    Serial.print(c);
  }

  // If there's data available from the serial monitor
  if (Serial.available()) {
    char c = Serial.read();
    BTLESerial.write(c);
  }
}

• LEDs on the breakout are not lighting up: Ensure that the power supply is connected correctly and is within the specified voltage range.
• No response from the module: Check that the SPI connections are correct and that the REQ, RDY, and RST pins are connected to the correct digital pins on your microcontroller.
• Unable to pair with a device: Make sure the module is in range of the device and that there are no obstructions or interference sources nearby.

• Double-check all connections and ensure that solder joints are solid and not causing intermittent connections.
• Use the serial monitor to debug and check for any error messages or status codes from the nRF8001 module.
• Reset the module using the RST pin if it becomes unresponsive or behaves unexpectedly.

Q: Can the nRF8001 Breakout be used with a 5V microcontroller? A: Yes, but ensure that the I/O pins are 5V tolerant or use level shifters to prevent damage to the module.

Q: What is the maximum range of the nRF8001 Breakout? A: The maximum range is approximately 60 feet (18 meters) in open space, but this can be reduced by obstacles and interference.

Q: Can I use the nRF8001 Breakout for streaming audio? A: No, the nRF8001 is designed for BLE and is not suitable for streaming audio. It is intended for low-bandwidth applications such as sensor data or control commands.