TI LMX9838 Bluetooth Serial Interfacing with MSP430

I really wanted a Bluetooth Module for controlling my Robot wirelessly. After a long search, I found HC-05/06 Modules which are easily integrable and really easy to wire up too but only if the cost was less :( These modules were costing about 600-700 INR Approx 11$ each. Well that is a lot of money for an hobbyist Rt. :)

So, after another short search I got introduced to TI's LMX9838 Bluetooth Module :) (GOOGLE is a Heaven of Internet :P :)). Long thing made short, below are the few highlights (will add a comparison with HC-05 later),
  --  Complete Bluetooth 2.0
 --  High Integration: Includes Antenna, Crystal, EEPROM, LDO
 --  Supporting up to 7 Active Bluetooth Data Links
 --  UART Command/Data Port Speed up to 921.6kbits/s
 --  Advanced Audio Interface for External PCM Codec
 --  FCC/IC/CE Certified
 --  Compact Size: 10mm × 17mm × 2.0mm

Now, because the module is from TI, one can always order a Module via TI's Sample Program :) and that was exactly what I needed :). So I ordered one module (as the module's cost is approx. 16.47$ and you's Ti's sample order cant be >25$ so you can order only 1 Module with couple of MSP430's :) in one order). The best part of Ti's sample program is NO Shipping Cost and NO component cost it gets even better as Ti allows even user's with gmail domain Email to order free samples, no need of Company specific ID :)

I got the module 4 days after my order and I started off with my FREE Bluetooth project.

The module is a LGA type SMD component and  has 0.9x0.6mm pad size with 1mm pad pitch(distance between the pads). well what that means is that you need to be good with a soldering iron to work with these modules. The good news, for not so good with soldering people, is that you only need to solder 7/8 pins on the module depending on the Baud Rate specification's, i.e. GND(Pins 3,4,17,18,24,29,30,31,32), VCC(6,10,11), RX(12), TX(13), CTS(15), OP3(16), OP4(26) and OP5(25). out of which it is really easy to solder GND and VCC.

I will write a separate blog post on how to make your own Module, but in this post I would like to give you a small introduction+demo about these modules. I ended up making a Breakout for the module, so that I can play with them.

After  the construction of the modules was complete I had to test the modules So, I used an FTDI Breakout board to test them. THESE MODULES ARE 3.3v Logic NOT 5V.

These modules need not be configured as Bluetooth Serial profile they get configured themselves. After all the wired connections were made, I scanned for the module from my mobile and Vola!! got a new MAC ID, then I connected to the module using BlueTerm App on my Nexus and I got some output(that is the connection status and the f/w version information) and that was it, now on entering anything on my mobile I could see it almost instantaneously on my Computer Serial terminal screen and vice-versa :) 

 

Finally I have a fully functional Bluetooth 2.0 compliant Module for FREE :) :) 

{In my next Blog I will instruct you on how to make you own FREE Bluetooth Module :) Till then please order your own free Module's :) :) }

I have recorded a short demo video for you guys :) below. 

 

NOTE : I will shortly write another post on how you can make your own module, I also will do an instructable blog on the construction very soon. 

LINKS : TI LMX9838 Module

Hope you enjoyed this blog :) 

Regards, 

Gurinder Gill

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