ST introduces first 802.15.4ab UWB device
Plus: $20 USB sniffer goes Linux + u-blox adds NPU to Bluetooth LE
This Week in Bluetooth & UWB |
May 29, 2026 |
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In This Issue
→ $20 WCH sniffer gains Linux
→ Nordic LE module gets an NPU → Espressif ESP32-S31 kits announced → Five radios in one ESP32-C5 remote → ST’s first 802.15.4ab UWB device |
BROUGHT TO YOU BY NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR
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Nordic just launched AI-assisted development for the nRF Connect SDK and nRF Cloud workflow. Connect any AI assistant to Nordic’s MCP server and it gets access to all their documentation, prompt templates, and field data from nRF Cloud. That covers AI-assisted coding, SDK migration, custom-board porting, and log/field-data analysis. Spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time on the features that matter.
| Explore Nordic AI-assisted dev → |
Bluetooth LE
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CNX-Software
The WCH BLE Analyzer Pro is an inexpensive (~$20) USB Bluetooth LE sniffer and analyzer, which looked useful and good value for reverse engineering and debugging. One downside is that the WCH BLE Analyzer software was only made for Windows 7 to 11, but Xecaz decided to look into it and reverse-engineered the USB protocol to write Linux software using libusb that outputs a standard pcap compatible with popular tools such as Wireshark.
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u-blox
The launch strengthens the collaboration between u-blox and Nordic Semiconductor with the introduction of the ALMA-B2 Bluetooth LE module series. Based on Nordic’s next-generation nRF54LM20 platform, ALMA-B2 combines next-generation Bluetooth LE connectivity with a powerful wireless MCU, delivering Channel Sounding, global certification, and flexible antenna options in a compact form factor. ALMA-B2 is u-blox’s first module with a dedicated hardware Neural Processing Unit (NPU), integrating Bluetooth LE 6.0 connectivity with a Nordic Semiconductor wireless MCU architecture, making it up to 15x faster, with superior energy efficiency.
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CNX-Software
The ESP32-S31-Function-CoreBoard-1 development board is based on the ESP32-S31-WROOM-3 wireless module, and offers Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0 OTG, and onboard audio peripherals for connected IoT applications. The ESP32-S31-Korvo-1 is a multimedia-focused development board based on the same ESP32-S31-WROOM-3 module, but featuring a dual-microphone array for speech recognition and near/far-field wake-up, two speaker connectors, a 4.3-inch LCD, a 3MP camera module, and a microSD card slot.
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CNX-Software
PolyCast5 is a portable, hackable ESP32-C5-based multi-tool remote to control devices through five different core wireless technologies: WiFi 6, Bluetooth LE, ESP-NOW, LoRa, and infrared Tx/Rx. Kickstarter rewards start at $129 for an Early Bird pledge, plus $15 to $45 shipping depending on the destination country. Use cases listed include cybersecurity work, a standard IR learning remote control, a voice-enabled password manager, a robotic arm controller, an AI keyboard, and a long-range LoRa remote control.
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audioXpress
The Aspen Aura is a miniature wireless microphone and Auracast transmitter developed by Emendion, a company from Sweden. Weighing just 5 grams, the Aspen Aura microphone can transmit wirelessly to an unlimited number of compatible Auracast receivers simultaneously. A patent-pending multi-MEMS architecture combines four capsules into a single coherent signal, achieving a 15dB(A) noise floor and 79dB SNR through raw acoustic engineering rather than software noise suppression. The Kickstarter campaign runs until June 14, 2026, with pledges starting at €89.
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Liam O’Dell
The deaf K-pop group Big Ocean performed a selection of songs at Kind Seoul on Monday, as the venue became the first in South Korea to install Bluetooth’s Auracast technology. Unlike standard Bluetooth ‘pairing’, Auracast allows for an ‘unlimited number’ of connections to a single transmitter.
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Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
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Electronics Media
ST is introducing the ST64UWB, the first monolithic IEEE 802.15.4ab device with narrowband assistance (NBA), enabling car manufacturers to ship far more reliable hands-free door locks. By using NBA, ST can implement the multi-millisecond mode inaugurated by the IEEE 802.15.4ab to massively increase the link budget. Concretely, that means a far greater range and more accurate detection, leading to wireless keys that are more accurate and reliable. Additionally, the improved radar capabilities enable presence detection within the car’s cabin.
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New Electronics
A collaboration between 42 Technology (42T) and Omnisense has seen the development of a new autonomous drone landing system designed to operate safely when satellite navigation signals are unreliable. The system uses ground-based Ultra-Wideband (UWB) positioning technology to provide an additional navigation layer for unmanned aerial vehicles. Developed under the European Space Agency (ESA)-supported DroneHome programme, testing through field trials and simulation confirmed that the system could maintain stable positioning within defined limits during GNSS-disrupted scenarios.
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P.S. The ST64UWB is the first monolithic IEEE 802.15.4ab device I’ve seen, and multi-millisecond mode is finally hitting silicon. If you’re working on automotive access or cabin presence detection, reply and tell me what range you’re hitting today. I’d love to hear about it.
— Mohammad Afaneh
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