How to Use Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840(Sense): Examples, Pinouts, and Specs

The Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840(Sense) is a compact and powerful microcontroller board based on the Nordic nRF52840 chip. It is designed for low-power Bluetooth applications and IoT projects, making it an excellent choice for developers working on wireless communication, wearable devices, and environmental monitoring. This board features built-in sensors, including a microphone and a 6-axis IMU, enabling advanced sensing capabilities in a small form factor.

• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) applications
• IoT devices and smart home projects
• Wearable technology
• Environmental monitoring and data logging
• Prototyping for AI and machine learning on edge devices

The following table outlines the key technical specifications of the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840(Sense):

The Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840(Sense) has a total of 14 pins. The table below describes the pin configuration:

1. Powering the Board: Connect the board to a power source using the USB-C port. It supports 3.3V to 5V input.
2. Programming the Board: Use Arduino IDE, CircuitPython, or other supported environments to program the board. Install the necessary board definitions and libraries for the nRF52840 chip.
3. Connecting Sensors and Peripherals: Use the GPIO, I2C, or SPI pins to connect external sensors or peripherals. The built-in sensors can be accessed directly via software libraries.

• Ensure the input voltage does not exceed 5V to avoid damaging the board.
• Use appropriate pull-up resistors for I2C communication if required.
• When using the built-in sensors, ensure the board is placed in a stable environment to avoid inaccurate readings.
• For BLE applications, ensure the device is within the recommended range for reliable communication.

Below is an example of how to read data from the built-in 6-axis IMU (LSM6DS3) using the Arduino IDE:

#include <Wire.h>
#include <SparkFunLSM6DS3.h> // Include the library for the LSM6DS3 sensor

LSM6DS3 myIMU(I2C_MODE, 0x6A); // Initialize the IMU with I2C address 0x6A

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200); // Start serial communication at 115200 baud
  delay(1000); // Wait for serial monitor to initialize

  if (myIMU.begin() != 0) {
    Serial.println("IMU initialization failed!");
    while (1); // Halt the program if initialization fails
  }
  Serial.println("IMU initialized successfully!");
}

void loop() {
  // Read accelerometer data
  float accelX = myIMU.readFloatAccelX();
  float accelY = myIMU.readFloatAccelY();
  float accelZ = myIMU.readFloatAccelZ();

  // Print accelerometer data to the serial monitor
  Serial.print("Accel X: ");
  Serial.print(accelX);
  Serial.print(" | Accel Y: ");
  Serial.print(accelY);
  Serial.print(" | Accel Z: ");
  Serial.println(accelZ);

  delay(500); // Wait 500ms before the next reading
}

1. Board Not Detected by the Computer:

   • Ensure the USB-C cable is properly connected and supports data transfer.
   • Check if the correct board and port are selected in the Arduino IDE.

2. IMU or Microphone Not Responding:

   • Verify that the required libraries are installed and included in the code.
   • Ensure the board is powered and the sensors are not physically damaged.

3. BLE Connection Issues:

   • Check if the BLE device is within range.
   • Ensure the BLE firmware is correctly configured and updated.

• Reset the Board: Press the reset button on the board to restart it.
• Reinstall Drivers: If the board is not recognized, reinstall the USB drivers for the nRF52840.
• Check Power Supply: Ensure the board is receiving sufficient power (3.3V to 5V).
• Consult Documentation: Refer to the official Seeed Studio documentation for additional guidance.

By following this documentation, you can effectively utilize the Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840(Sense) for your projects.