RF-Star EFR32BG22 User manual

EFR32BG22 Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0
Master-Slave Module and Protocol
Version: V1.7
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd.
Jun. 8th, 2022

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 1 of 93
Revision History
Date
Version No.
Description
2020.09.28
V1.0
The initial version is released.
2021.01.16
V1.1
Add device information Service.
Add RF-BM-BG22Ax series module description.
Add Bluetooth pairing function.
Add AT command to configure the serial port packet size and delay time.
Update the stable transmission rate.
Add the serial port hardware flow control, and adjust RTS and CTS pins into PB1
and PB2 respectively (previously PC2 and PC3).
Add the function of scanning broadcast response packets in observer mode.
Add Long Range broadcast.
Add the command to enter the authentication key for the master role.
Add sleep command.
Add the PHY setting commands for the master role when scanning and connecting.
Modify most commands from taking effective after reboot to taking effect
immediately.
Modify the minimum TX power from -30 dBm to -28 dBm.
Update the MCU reference code.
Update the peripheral reference design.
Update the measured power consumption.
2021.01.21
V1.2
Update the serial port pins.
Update the stable transmission rate.
Update the measured power consumption.
2021.03.10
V1.3
Adjust the setting method of the broadcast name, user-defined broadcast, and
extended broadcast.
Add a carriage return and line feed when APP sends AT command.

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 2 of 93
Change the default connection PHY from 2M PHY to 1M PHY.
Modify the function that the handle value sent by the current master always points
to the newly established connection when a connection is established.
Cancel the master-slave identity setting command in the master-slave mode, and
the set transparent transmission handle determines whether the current data is
transparently transmitted to the master or the slave in the master-slave mode.
Add the collected battery voltage parameters and button detection parameters into
the broadcast package.
Add the enhanced broadcast function in Beacon mode.
Add the observer filtering function.
Add the function of scanning the expanded broadcast.
Add the function of setting the broadcast response packet data by AT command.
Add FCC and CE certificates.
2021.12.30
V1.4
Change the storage mode of the broadcast response packet to power-off save.
Optimize the AT+SCAN to scan the broadcast name type of Shortened Local Name
(08 type).
Update the chapter description.
2022.05.12
V1.5
Add the filter conditions of the broadcast data in Observer mode.
Add the serial port wake-up function in the Sleep command.
Add the function of reading the specified UUID.
Add the function of The automatic reconnection command increases the setting to
trigger the reconnection parameter immediately
Delete the duplicate function of "AT+DEV_DEL=?".
Add IPEX version module dimension and footprint.
Add the power consumption and the serial port power consumption data at 6 dBm.
Update the module power-on stabilization time to 600 ms.
Update the chapter description.
2022.06.08
V1.6
Update the chapter description.
Update the pin attribute diagram.
2022.08.02
V1.6
Add the RF-BM-BG22Bx and RF-BM-BG22Cx descriptions.

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 3 of 93
Update the chapter description.
2022.08.10
V1.7
Add the max. voltage specification of the RESET pin.
Add the reference design of BG22Bx and BG22Cx modules.
Note:
1. The document will be optimized and updated from time to time. Before using this document, please make sure it is
the latest version.
2. To obtain the latest document, please download it from the official website: www.rfstariot.com, www.szrfstar.com.

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 4 of 93
Table of Contents
Revision History .................................................................................................................................................................. 1
Table of Contents................................................................................................................................................................ 4
1 Overview ............................................................................................................................................................................ 8
1.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................................................... 8
1.2 Features ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
1.3 Working Mode Specification ........................................................................................................................10
1.4 Default Configurations in Slave Mode .....................................................................................................10
1.5 Default Configuration in Beacon Mode ...................................................................................................10
1.6 Description of Default Broadcast Data ....................................................................................................11
1.7 Device Status Specifications.......................................................................................................................11
1.8 Multi-Connection ..............................................................................................................................................12
2 Package and Pin Assignment ..................................................................................................................................14
2.1 RF-BM-Ax(I).......................................................................................................................................................14
2.2 RF-BM-Bx...........................................................................................................................................................19
2.3 RF-BM-Cx...........................................................................................................................................................22
3 UART Transparent Transmission Protocol (Bridge Mode) ...........................................................................25
4 BLE Protocol Specification (APP Interface) .......................................................................................................26
UART Service UUID...............................................................................................................................................26
BLE Data Receiving UUID (RX Characteristic) ...........................................................................................26
BLE Data Transmitting UUID (TX Characteristic).......................................................................................26
AT Command Operation UUID...........................................................................................................................26
Device Information UUID: 0x180A....................................................................................................................27
Manufacturer Name................................................................................................................................................27
Hardware Revision .................................................................................................................................................27
Firmware Revision ..................................................................................................................................................27
System ID...................................................................................................................................................................27
Generic Access UUID: 0x1800 ..........................................................................................................................28
Device Name.............................................................................................................................................................28
Device Appearance ................................................................................................................................................28

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 5 of 93
Peripheral Preferred Connection Parameters..............................................................................................28
Central Address Resolution.................................................................................................................................28
5 AT Command..................................................................................................................................................................29
5.1 AT Command Format .....................................................................................................................................29
5.2 AT Command List.............................................................................................................................................30
5.3 Detailed AT Command...................................................................................................................................33
•Enter AT Command Mode ......................................................................................................................33
•Exit AT Command Mode .........................................................................................................................33
•Device Name...............................................................................................................................................33
•MAC Address ..............................................................................................................................................34
•Device Role..................................................................................................................................................34
•TX Power ......................................................................................................................................................35
•Broadcast Parameter ...............................................................................................................................36
•User-defined Broadcast Data................................................................................................................37
•User-defined Broadcast Response Packet Data...........................................................................37
•Long Range Broadcast............................................................................................................................38
•Extended Broadcast (Big Broadcast Packet)..................................................................................39
•Beacon...........................................................................................................................................................40
•Scan as a Master.......................................................................................................................................41
•PHY of Master Role..................................................................................................................................42
•Scan and Print Out Slave Device Name...........................................................................................43
•Connection as a Master ..........................................................................................................................44
•Display the Connected Devices ...........................................................................................................45
•Disconnection..............................................................................................................................................45
•Automatic Reconnection.........................................................................................................................46
•Delete Automatic Reconnection Device............................................................................................48
•Connection Interval...................................................................................................................................48
•Designate Transmission Device...........................................................................................................49
•Set the UUID of Slave Role ...................................................................................................................50
•Enable/Disable UUID Configuration Function of Master Role .................................................51
•Configure UUID of Master Role ...........................................................................................................52
•Master Role Reads the Specified UUID Data.................................................................................53
•Send Data by AT Command..................................................................................................................53

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 6 of 93
•Observer........................................................................................................................................................54
•PHY Rate......................................................................................................................................................56
•Baud Rate.....................................................................................................................................................57
•Serial Port Frame Size and Timeout Time .......................................................................................58
•Serial Port Echo .........................................................................................................................................59
•Device Status Display..............................................................................................................................59
•User Authentication...................................................................................................................................60
•Enter User Authentication Key..............................................................................................................61
•Pairing Function of Slave Role .............................................................................................................61
•Pairing Function of Master Role...........................................................................................................62
•Enter Pairing Passkey of Master Role...............................................................................................64
•Pairing List....................................................................................................................................................64
•Delete Paired Device................................................................................................................................65
•Sleep Mode..................................................................................................................................................65
•Enable/Disable Watchdog......................................................................................................................67
•Restart Device ............................................................................................................................................67
•Reset Device ...............................................................................................................................................67
•Query Firmware Version .........................................................................................................................68
6 Transparent Transmission Test ...............................................................................................................................69
6.1 Test by APP (Android)....................................................................................................................................69
6.2 Test by PC End.................................................................................................................................................71
Preparation before Use................................................................................................................................71
Connection Steps...........................................................................................................................................72
7 iOS APP Programming Reference.........................................................................................................................77
8 MCU Reference Code (Transparent Transmission)........................................................................................79
9 Hardware Specifications ............................................................................................................................................80
9.1 Module Parameters.........................................................................................................................................80
9.2 Antenna................................................................................................................................................................80
9.2.1 Antenna Design Recommendation ..............................................................................................80
9.2.2 Antenna Output Mode Modification..............................................................................................81
9.2.3 External Antenna Design Recommendation of the Half-Hole ANT Pin..........................82
9.3 Reference Design............................................................................................................................................83
9.3.1 RF-BM-BG22Ax(I) ..............................................................................................................................83

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 7 of 93
9.3.2 RF-BM-BG22Bx...................................................................................................................................84
9.3.3 RF-BM-BG22Cx ..................................................................................................................................84
9.4 Basic Operation of Hardware Design ......................................................................................................85
9.5 Trouble Shooting..............................................................................................................................................85
9.5.1 Unsatisfactory Transmission Distance........................................................................................85
9.5.2 Vulnerable Module..............................................................................................................................86
9.5.3 High Bit Error Rate .............................................................................................................................86
9.6 Electrostatics Discharge Warnings ...........................................................................................................86
9.7 Soldering and Reflow Condition.................................................................................................................86
10 Contact Us ....................................................................................................................................................................88
Appendix A:.........................................................................................................................................................................89
FCC ..............................................................................................................................................................................89
CE..................................................................................................................................................................................90
Appendix B: Power Consumption Test Screenshot ............................................................................................91
1 Sleep Mode: 3.23 μA..........................................................................................................................................91
2 Broadcast Mode...................................................................................................................................................91
2.1 0 dBm, 200 ms broadcast cycle: 57.82 μA...................................................................................91
2.2 0 dBm, 500 ms broadcast cycle: 24.13 μA...................................................................................92
2.3 0 dBm, 1000 ms broadcast cycle: 15.12 μA ................................................................................92
3 Connection Mode ................................................................................................................................................93
3.1 0 dBm, 30 ms connection interval: 146.74 μA.............................................................................93
3.2 0 dBm, 100 ms connection interval: 34.68 μA.............................................................................93

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 8 of 93
1 Overview
1.1 Introduction
The Bluetooth LE modules which are mentioned in this document can work in bridge mode (transparent transmission
mode).
In bridge mode, user MCU can communicate with the mobile device bi-directionally through the universal serial ports
of modules. Users can also manage and control certain communication parameters through specific AT commands of
serial ports. The detailed meaning of the user data is defined by the upper applications. Mobile devices can operate the
write to the module through the APP. And the data written will be sent to the user MCU through serial ports. Then the
module will transmit the data packets from the user MCU to the mobile devices automatically. Under the development
in this mode, the user needs to undertake the code design for the MCU and the APP for mobile devices.
In order to ensure the stability of the program, the module will start to work normally after it is powered on for 600 ms.
When transmitting a big-size data packet, it is recommended to start working after the module is connected for 6 s. MTU,
connection interval, and other operations need to be confirmed when a connection is established, if the high-speed
transparent transmission is carried out at this time, packet loss or device jamming is very easy to occur.
1.2 Features
1. Easy to use, no need for any application experience of Bluetooth protocol stack.
2. Support all features of BLE 5.0: 2M PHY, Long Range broadcast, Extended broadcast. Modules based on
EFR32BG22C112 don’t support Long Range broadcast.
3. Support BLE master mode, slave mode, master-slave mode, and Beacon mode.
4. Support concurrent slave and master roles, that is, the module can connect to other slave devices when it is
connected by one master device (master-slave mode).
5. Support multi-connection during master mode and master-slave mode. Up to 8 slave devices can be connected
concurrently under master mode. Under master-slave mode, 7 slave devices can be connected concurrently, and
it also can be connected as a slave by another master device at the same time.
6. Default connection interval of 20 ms, which makes quick connections and enhances the compatible stability of
Android and iOS phones.
7. Universal serial port design for user interface, full-duplex bi-directional communication, and support the minimum
baud rate of 1200 bps and the maximum baud rate of 921600 bps.
8. Support software reset module by AT command.
9. Support acquire and modify the MAC address (take effect after resetting) by AT command.
10. Support modify the Bluetooth connection interval and control different transmit rates (dynamic power consumption

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 9 of 93
adjustment) by AT command.
11. Support the modification of the transmit power, the broadcast interval, the serial port baud rate, and the module
name by AT commands, please check for details in AT Command.
12. Support modify the Service UUID by AT command.
13. Support modify serial port frame size and timeout time by AT command.
14. In the master or master-slave mode, support the user-defined selection of the UUID channel for receiving and
sending.
15. AT commands can be sent through APP or serial port.
16. High-speed transparent transmission rate, stable transmission at 50 KB/s (512000 bps).
17. Support to modify the PHY communication speed: 1M, 2M, LE Coded (125 kbps & 500 kbps).
18. Support user-defined broadcast data, the longest user-defined length is 26 bytes.
19. Support extended broadcast packets, a maximum of 251 bytes of an extended broadcast packet can be user-
defined.
20. Support setting Long Range broadcast packet (Long Range/LE Coded).
21. Support setting Bluetooth pairing and bonding functions.
22. Ultra-low working power consumption, the measured power consumption of the module is as follows (When the
watchdog function is turned off, the power consumption will be lower by 2 ~ 3 μA overall):
Table 1. Power Consumption
Event
Average Current
Test Condition / Remark
Sleep
3.02 µA
No Broadcast
Broadcast interval: 200 ms
57.82 μA
0 dBm
101.89 μA
6 dBm
Broadcast interval: 500 ms
24.13 μA
0 dBm
41.20 μA
6 dBm
Broadcast interval: 1000 ms
15.12 μA
0 dBm
24.78 μA
6 dBm
Connection interval: 20 ms
146.74 μA
0 dBm
181.01 μA
6 dBm
Connection interval: 1000 ms
9.39 μA
0 dBm
11.64 μA
6 dBm
Open serial port
1.2 mA
Turn off broadcasting

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 10 of 93
1.3 Working Mode Specification
The device supports four working modes as below:
1. BLE slave mode
2. BLE master mode
3. BLE master-slave mode
4. Beacon mode
The default role after power-on is the slave mode. The working mode can be switched through the AT command
"AT+ROLE". Please check the AT Command in detail. In the Beacon mode, the serial port is turned off, and the working
mode only can be switched by sending commands through the mobile APP.
1.4 Default Configurations in Slave Mode
1. Device name: RFstar_XXXX (XXXX is the last two bytes of the MAC address).
2. Broadcast interval: 200 ms.
3. Connection interval: 20 ms.
4. 128-bit UUID
5. Broadcast mode: connectable
6. Device status: transparent transmission
1.5 Default Configuration in Beacon Mode
1. Company ID: 0x4C00 (Apple iBeacon).
2. Major UUID: 0x0708.
3. Minor UUID: 0x0506.
4. RSSI: -48 dBm.
5. UUID: 0x0112233445566778899AABBCCDDEEFF0.
In Beacon mode, the serial port is closed and unavailable, thus, the data cannot be transmitted transparently. if the
serial port is needed, pls try hardware wakeup and AT commands.

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 11 of 93
1.6 Description of Default Broadcast Data
As shown in the figure above, it is the default broadcast data of the device.
TYPE: 0x1B: the last 6 bytes of it are the MAC address of the BLE device (low byte first).
TYPE: 0x07: the 128-bit service UUID.
TYPE: 0xFF: the manufacturer-defined field.
0x5246: the vendor ID
0x0CDB: the power supply voltage of the module, that is, 3291 mV, the data will update every hour.
0x07: the input status of the three IOs (PC3, PC4, PC5) of the RF-BM-BG22Ax and RF-BM-BG22Bx
module, update in real time. The pull-up is at a high level by default.
TYPE: 0x09: the device name (RFstar_E679).
1.7 Device Status Specifications
1. DEVICE START: The device starts to work.
2. XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX CONNECTED Y*: BLE slave is successfully connected. (Y means the serial number of the
connected slave module.)
3. XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX DISCONNECTED: BLE slave is disconnected.
4. B:CONNECTED: Beacon is successfully connected.
5. B:DISCONNECTED: Beacon is disconnected.
6. BONDING COMPLETED: Bonding and pairing succeeded.
7. BONDING FAILED: Bonding and pairing failed.
8. ENTER THE PAIRING PASSWORD: The other slave device requires the master device to enter the pairing PIN

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 12 of 93
code.
9. BPS SET AFTER 2S...: The serial port baud rate has been changed and will be re-initialized after 2 seconds.
10. DEVICE ALREADY CONNECTED: The connected devices.
11. XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX CONNECTED Y: BLE master is successfully connected (The string in red is the MAC address
of the connected slave device).
12. XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX DISCONNECTED: BLE master is disconnected (The string in red is the MAC address of the
disconnected slave device).
13. XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX CONNECT TIMEOUT: The time when the BLE master connects to the slave device is
overtime (The string in red is the MAC address of the connected slave device). When devices are not found within
10 s after the command is run, a timeout will be prompted.
The above status can be turned on or off by the AT command “AT+STATUS”. For details, please refer to AT Command.
1.8 Multi-Connection
1. Up to 8 slave devices can be connected concurrently under master mode. Under master-slave mode, 7 slave
devices can be connected concurrently, and it also can be connected as a slave device by another master device
at the same time.
2. If AT+CONNECT command failed to connect to the device, the prompt will show FAIL, please refer to the command
description for the reason.
3. Multi-connection means multiple devices automatically reconnect. When an opposite device disconnects
abnormally, the device will initiate reconnection. Please refer to the command description.
4. During multi-connection, the designated data transmission handle function is not saved after power off, and the
device will transmit data with the latest device established the connection by default. If the device with the
corresponding handle is disconnected, the handle value will be automatically switched to the first device in the
connection list. (The Handle value can be obtained from "XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX CONNECTED Y" in the return
message when the connection is successfully established.)
5. The user disconnects the device which is set as automatic reconnection by AT commands, and the current
automatic reconnection of the device will be failed. It will take effect after the next abnormal disconnection.

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 13 of 93
Recommendation:
The source of multi-connection data transmission is more complicated, such as the master-slave: the data may come
from the following 4 devices, so the data source should be included in the data packets, otherwise it cannot be identified
which device the data came from.
Figure 1. Multi-Connection Diagram

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 14 of 93
2 Package and Pin Assignment
2.1 RF-BM-Ax(I)
RF-BM-BG22Ax(I) includes RF-BM-BG22A1, RF-BM-BG22A1I, RF-BM-BG22A3, and RF-BM-BG22A3I.
There is a series of RF-BM-BG22Ax Bluetooth 5.2 Low Energy modules. All of them are based on Silicon Labs
EFR32BG22 SoC series. Because the EFR32BG22 series ICs are compatible in package, pins, and peripherals, those
modules are pin-to-pin compatible with each other as well.
Table 2. Module Series of RF-BM-BG22Ax
Model
Chip Model
Max. CPU
Speed
TX
Power
FLASH
RAM
Protocol
BG22A1
EFR32BG22C112F352GM32-C
38.4 MHz
0 dBm
352 KB
32 KB
BT5.2
BG22A1I
EFR32BG22C112F352GM32-C
38.4 MHz
0 dBm
352 KB
32 KB
BT5.2
BG22A3
EFR32BG22C224F512GM32-C
76.8 MHz
+6 dBm
512 KB
32 KB
BT5.2
Direction finding
Proprietary
BG22A3I
EFR32BG22C224F512GM32-C
76.8 MHz
+6 dBm
512 KB
32 KB
BT5.2
Direction finding
Proprietary
Note: RF-BM-BG22A1 and RF-BM-BG22A1I do not support AoA/AoD and LE Long Range (125 Kbps and 500 Kbps)
PHYs.
RF-BM-BG22A1 RF-BM-BG22A1I

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 17 of 93
Table 3. Pin Functions of RF-BM-BG22Ax(I)
Pin
Name
Function
Description
1
EXT_ANT
-
External antenna output
2
PB02
I/O
GPIO
3
PB01
I/O
GPIO
4
PB00
RESTORE
All parameters will be reset to factory settings after this pin is set low
for 5 s.
5
PA00
I/O
GPIO
6
PA03
CTS
The module input signal (standard hardware flow control: Clear To
Send). When it is at a high level, the MCU serial port is busy, and the
module will not send data to the MCU serial port. When it is at a low
level, the module will send data to the MCU serial port.
Remark: It is best not to leave this pin floating, otherwise, the power
consumption will be higher and the serial port may work unstably.
7
PA04
RTS
The module output signal (standard hardware flow control: Require To
Send). When it is at a high level, the module serial port is busy, and the
MCU is not allowed to send data to the module serial port. When it is at
a low level, the MCU is allowed to send data to the module serial port.
8
PA05
TX
Serial port TX
9
PA06
RX
Serial port RX
10
GND
-
Ground
11
RESET
I
Reset pin, active low (internal pull-up). Max. power supply: 1.8V.
12
PA01
I/O
GPIO/SWCLK (connect J-Link)
13
PA02
I/O
GPIO/SWDIO (connect J-Link)
14
GND
-
Ground
15
VCC
-
Power supply: 2.2 V~ 3.8 V, recommended to 3.3 V
16
PD01
Status indicator
Slave role (including Beacon) connection status indicator: at a low level
during connection (LED always on)
17
PD00
Status indicator
Master role connection status indicator: at a low level during connection
(LED always on)
18
PC00
I/O
GPIO
19
PC01
I/O
GPIO

EFR32BG22
www.szrfstar.com V1.6 - Jun., 2022
Shenzhen RF-star Technology Co., Ltd. Page 18 of 93
20
PC02
I/O
GPIO
21
PC03
I
Input status monitoring, the tatus will update in the broadcast packet in
real time. See details in “Description of default broadcast data”.
22
PC04
I
Input status monitoring, the tatus will update in the broadcast packet in
real time. See details in “Description of default broadcast data”.
23
PC05
I
Input status monitoring, the tatus will update in the broadcast packet in
real time. See details in “Description of default broadcast data”.
24
GND
-
Ground
Table of contents
Other RF-Star Network Hardware manuals
Popular Network Hardware manuals by other brands

KE2 Therm Solutions
KE2 Therm Solutions KE2-EM35 Overview, Installation, and Setup Instructions

ProfiTap
ProfiTap PROFISHARK 1G user manual

ZyXEL Communications
ZyXEL Communications Network Storage Appliance NSA-220 Specifications

Canon
Canon VB150 user manual

Cabletron Systems
Cabletron Systems SSIM-T5-04 installation guide

WIN Enterprises
WIN Enterprises PL-10490 user manual