manuals.online logo
Brands
  1. Home
  2. •
  3. Brands
  4. •
  5. Ublox
  6. •
  7. Control Unit
  8. •
  9. Ublox ANNA-B4 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox ANNA-B4 Series Quick setup guide

This manual suits for next models

2

Other Ublox Control Unit manuals

Ublox NEO-M8U Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox NEO-M8U Quick setup guide

Ublox VERA-P171 User manual

Ublox

Ublox VERA-P171 User manual

Ublox TOBY-L1 series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox TOBY-L1 series Quick setup guide

Ublox MAX-7C-0 User manual

Ublox

Ublox MAX-7C-0 User manual

Ublox NORA-W2 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox NORA-W2 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox NEO-8Q Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox NEO-8Q Series Quick setup guide

Ublox NORA-B1 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox NORA-B1 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox TOBY-L2 series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox TOBY-L2 series Quick setup guide

Ublox ZED-F9H Use and care manual

Ublox

Ublox ZED-F9H Use and care manual

Ublox NORA-W10 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox NORA-W10 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox TOBY-L1 series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox TOBY-L1 series Quick setup guide

Ublox NINA-B50 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox NINA-B50 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox NEO-M8P-2 Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox NEO-M8P-2 Quick setup guide

Ublox ZOE-M8 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox ZOE-M8 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox SARA-N2 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox SARA-N2 Series Quick setup guide

Ublox EVK-W16 User manual

Ublox

Ublox EVK-W16 User manual

Ublox VERA-P173 User manual

Ublox

Ublox VERA-P173 User manual

Ublox ZOE-M8B Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox ZOE-M8B Series Quick setup guide

Ublox NORA-W10 Series User manual

Ublox

Ublox NORA-W10 Series User manual

Ublox EVA-8M Series Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox EVA-8M Series Quick setup guide

Ublox MAX-M10 Use and care manual

Ublox

Ublox MAX-M10 Use and care manual

Ublox SARA-G300 Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox SARA-G300 Quick setup guide

Ublox LEXI-R422 Quick setup guide

Ublox

Ublox LEXI-R422 Quick setup guide

Ublox NINA-B1 Series User manual

Ublox

Ublox NINA-B1 Series User manual

Popular Control Unit manuals by other brands

Seitz 14A80 user manual

Seitz

Seitz 14A80 user manual

Wilo RS485 Installation and operating instructions

Wilo

Wilo RS485 Installation and operating instructions

Becker CentralControl CC41 Commissioning Instruction

Becker

Becker CentralControl CC41 Commissioning Instruction

SICK CDB650 operating instructions

SICK

SICK CDB650 operating instructions

Panduit NetKey NKP5E88M Series installation instructions

Panduit

Panduit NetKey NKP5E88M Series installation instructions

MX Options Concentric Petite Fitting instructions

MX

MX Options Concentric Petite Fitting instructions

Clean Water Systems Fleck 2510 Installation & start?up guide

Clean Water Systems

Clean Water Systems Fleck 2510 Installation & start?up guide

Fairchild FSB44104A user guide

Fairchild

Fairchild FSB44104A user guide

LEGRAND Wattstopper LMIN-104 installation instructions

LEGRAND

LEGRAND Wattstopper LMIN-104 installation instructions

PMK ATT10BNCS instruction manual

PMK

PMK ATT10BNCS instruction manual

Tektronix TDS3FFT user manual

Tektronix

Tektronix TDS3FFT user manual

Woodward easYgen Technical manual

Woodward

Woodward easYgen Technical manual

Balluff BNI EIP-502-105-R015 user guide

Balluff

Balluff BNI EIP-502-105-R015 user guide

NXP Semiconductors TWR-LS1021A Getting started

NXP Semiconductors

NXP Semiconductors TWR-LS1021A Getting started

Advantech PCM-3117 Startup manual

Advantech

Advantech PCM-3117 Startup manual

Danfoss MCO 101 manual

Danfoss

Danfoss MCO 101 manual

Moons' Lin Engineering R701P user manual

Moons'

Moons' Lin Engineering R701P user manual

Aventics RV1 operating instructions

Aventics

Aventics RV1 operating instructions

manuals.online logo
manuals.online logoBrands
  • About & Mission
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright 2025 Manuals.Online. All Rights Reserved.

UBX-21000517 - R03
C1-Public www.u-blox.com
ANNA-B4 series
Stand-alone Bluetooth 5.1 low energy modules
System integration manual
0
3
Abstract
This manual provides a functional overview combined with best-practice design guidelines for
integrating ANNA-B4 stand-alone Bluetooth® 5.1 low energy modules in customer applications.
ANNA-B402 provides an open CPU architecture with a powerful MCU for customer applications,
while ANNA-B412 is delivered with pre-flashed u-connectXpress software. Targeted towards
hardware and software application engineers, the document describes the hardware design-in,
software, component handling, regulatory compliance, and testing of the module. It also includes list
of approved external antennas for use with the module.
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Document information Page 2 of 74
C1-Public
Document information
Title
ANNA-B4 series
Subtitle
Stand-alone Bluetooth 5.1 low energy modules
Document type
System integration manual
Document number
UBX-21000517
Revision and date
R03
28-Jan-2022
Disclosure restriction
C1-Public
Document status explanation
Draft
For functional testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
Objective Specification
Target values. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
Advance Information
Data based on early testing. Revised and supplementary data will be published later.
Early Production Information
Data from product verification. Revised and supplementary data may be published later.
Production Information
Document contains the final product specification.
This document applies to the following products:
Product name
ANNA-B412
ANNA-B402
☞For information about the related hardware, software, and status of listed product types, see also
the respective data sheets [5] [6].
u-blox or third parties may hold intellectual property rights in the products, names, logos and designs included in this
document. Copying, reproduction, modification or disclosure to third parties of this document or any part thereof is only
permitted with the express written permission of u-blox.
The information contained herein is provided “as is” and u-blox assumes no liability for its use. No warranty, either express or
implied, is given, including but not limited to, with respect to the accuracy, correctness, reliability and fitness for a particular
purpose of the information. This document may be revised by u-blox at any time without notice. For the most recent
documents, visit www.u-blox.com.
Copyright © u-blox AG.
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 3 of 74
C1-Public
Contents
Document information................................................................................................................................2
Contents ..........................................................................................................................................................3
1Functional description .........................................................................................................................6
1.1 Overview........................................................................................................................................................6
1.2 Example applications .................................................................................................................................6
1.3 Product features .........................................................................................................................................7
1.4 Block diagrams ............................................................................................................................................8
1.5 Product description ....................................................................................................................................9
ANNA-B4 ..............................................................................................................................................9
1.6 Hardware options........................................................................................................................................9
1.7 Software options......................................................................................................................................... 9
Open CPU............................................................................................................................................10
u-connectXpress software .............................................................................................................11
1.8 Pin configurations and functions ..........................................................................................................11
2System function interfaces ............................................................................................................ 12
2.1 Main supply input......................................................................................................................................12
Digital I/O interfaces reference voltage (VCC_IO) ......................................................................12
2.2 Antenna interface .....................................................................................................................................12
ANNA-B4 integrated antenna .......................................................................................................13
Antenna connected to the antenna pin .......................................................................................13
2.3 Module reset ..............................................................................................................................................13
2.4 Internal temperature sensor...................................................................................................................13
2.5 Low power clock ........................................................................................................................................14
Internal oscillator ..............................................................................................................................14
External crystal ................................................................................................................................14
External clock source, TCXO...........................................................................................................15
Selecting clock source .....................................................................................................................15
2.6 Serial interfaces ........................................................................................................................................16
Universal asynchronous serial interface (UART) .......................................................................16
Serial peripheral interface (SPI) .....................................................................................................17
I2C interface (open CPU only).........................................................................................................17
2.7 GPIO pins.....................................................................................................................................................17
2.8 NFC interface.............................................................................................................................................18
Battery protection ............................................................................................................................19
2.9 Debug interface .........................................................................................................................................19
Thermal guidelines ...........................................................................................................................19
2.10 Reserved pins (RSVD) ..............................................................................................................................19
2.11 ANNA-B1 to ANNA-B4 migration ..........................................................................................................20
3Design-in................................................................................................................................................ 22
3.1 Overview......................................................................................................................................................22
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 4 of 74
C1-Public
3.2 Antenna integration guidelines..............................................................................................................22
3.3 Antenna connected through the RF pin...............................................................................................23
RF transmission line design ...........................................................................................................24
RF connector design ........................................................................................................................25
3.4 Supply interfaces ......................................................................................................................................26
VCC application circuits ..................................................................................................................26
3.5GND pins .....................................................................................................................................................27
3.6 General layout guidelines ........................................................................................................................27
Considerations for schematic design and PCB floor-planning ...............................................27
Layout and manufacturing.............................................................................................................27
ESD guidelines...................................................................................................................................28
3.7 Design-in checklists .................................................................................................................................29
Schematic checklist.........................................................................................................................29
Layout checklist................................................................................................................................29
4Open CPU software............................................................................................................................ 30
4.1 Zephyr .........................................................................................................................................................30
Getting started with Zephyr on the ANNA-B4 module.............................................................30
Board configuration in Zephyr .......................................................................................................30
Building for ANNA-B402 EVK on the Zephyr command-line...................................................30
4.2 Nordic nRF5 SDK ......................................................................................................................................30
Getting started with the Nordic nRF5 SDK.................................................................................31
Create a custom board support file for Nordic nRF5 SDK .......................................................31
Adding a board configuration to your project .............................................................................33
4.3 Definition of Low Frequency clock source ...........................................................................................34
4.4 Bluetooth device (MAC) address and other production data ..........................................................34
4.5 Flashing open CPU software ..................................................................................................................35
Flashing over the SWD interface...................................................................................................35
Flashing over the UART interface .................................................................................................35
5u-connectXpress software .............................................................................................................. 38
5.1 Flashing ANNA-B412 u-connectXpress software .............................................................................38
Updating over UART.........................................................................................................................38
5.2 Low frequency clock and autosense .....................................................................................................45
6Handling and soldering ..................................................................................................................... 47
6.1 ESD handling precautions.......................................................................................................................47
6.2 Packaging, shipping, storage, and moisture preconditioning .........................................................47
6.3 Soldering .....................................................................................................................................................47
Reflow soldering process ................................................................................................................48
Cleaning ..............................................................................................................................................49
Potting and conformal coating ......................................................................................................49
Other remarks ...................................................................................................................................49
7Qualifications and approvals .......................................................................................................... 50
7.1Country approvals.....................................................................................................................................50
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 5 of 74
C1-Public
7.2 European Union regulatory compliance ...............................................................................................50
Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU ..........................................................................50
Compliance with the RoHS directive ............................................................................................50
7.3 FCC and IC compliance ............................................................................................................................50
FCC compliance..............................................................................................................................................51
RF-exposure statement ..................................................................................................................52
End product user manual instructions.........................................................................................52
End product labeling requirements ..............................................................................................53
FCC and IC IDs ...................................................................................................................................54
End product compliance..................................................................................................................54
7.4 Japan radio equipment compliance......................................................................................................54
Compliance statement....................................................................................................................54
End product labelling requirement................................................................................................55
End product user manual requirement ........................................................................................55
7.5 NCC Taiwan compliance ..........................................................................................................................55
Taiwan NCC Warning Statement..................................................................................................55
Labeling requirements for end product .......................................................................................55
7.6 KCC South Korea compliance.................................................................................................................56
7.7 Brazil compliance ......................................................................................................................................56
7.8 Australia and New Zealand regulatory compliance ...........................................................................56
7.9 South Africa regulatory compliance .....................................................................................................57
7.10 Bluetooth qualification.............................................................................................................................57
8Pre-approved antennas list............................................................................................................. 58
8.1 Approved antennas ..................................................................................................................................58
9Product testing ................................................................................................................................... 60
9.1 u-blox in-line production testing ............................................................................................................60
9.2 OEM manufacturer production test .....................................................................................................61
“Go/No go” tests for integrated devices ......................................................................................61
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 62
AGlossary ................................................................................................................................................. 62
BAntenna reference designs ............................................................................................................. 64
B.1 Internal antenna reference design with module at PCB corner.......................................................64
B.2 Internal antenna reference design with module along PCB edge ...................................................66
B.3 Reference design for external antennas (U.FL connector) ..............................................................67
B.4 Examples of application ground plane miniaturizations ..................................................................68
B.4.1 Example application 1......................................................................................................................69
B.4.2 Example application 2......................................................................................................................71
Related documentation ........................................................................................................................... 72
Revision history.......................................................................................................................................... 73
Contact.......................................................................................................................................................... 74
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 6 of 74
C1-Public
1Functional description
1.1 Overview
The ANNA-B4 series are small, stand-alone Bluetooth 5.1 Low Energy (LE) wireless module that are
particularly suited for harsh professional environments.
Based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52833 chip that includes an integrated RF core and powerful
Arm® Cortex®-M4 with FPU processor, ANNA-B4 operates in all Bluetooth 5.1 modes –as well as
802.15.4 (Thread and Zigbee) and Nordic proprietary modes (ANNA-B402 only).
Featuring Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) transceivers, ANNA-B402 supports the
Bluetooth 5.1 Direction Finding service. The service can for example be used for indoor positioning,
wayfinding, and asset tracking.
ANNA-B4 modules need only a single supply voltage in the range of 1.7–3.6 V and, as the supply
voltage level can also be used as the I/O reference level, can be easily integrated into simple, single
voltage rail systems. The broad supply voltage range makes ANNA-B4 particularly useful in battery
powered systems. To use the USB interface VBUS 5 V supply is required.
With the same physical size and mechanical design as the ANNA-B112 module, ANNA-B4 offers a
natural upgrade path for existing ANNA-B1 applications. Four additional pins on ANNA-B4, included
to increase the number of supported GPIOs module, can be conveniently accommodated within a
common module footprint. ANNA-B4 also extends the operating temperature range to +105 °C,
beyond the +85 °C specified for ANNA-B1.
Table 1 describes the various models in the ANNA-B4 series.
Model
Description
ANNA-B402
ANNA-B4 open CPU module, that enables customer applications to run on the built-in Arm®
Cortex®-M4 with FPU. Equipped with an integrated chip antenna but can also be used with an
external antenna via the antenna pin.
ANNA-B412
ANNA-B4 module with pre-flashed u-connectXpress software application. Equipped with an
integrated chip antenna but can also be used with an external antenna via the antenna pin.
Table 1: ANNA-B4 series models
See also the ANNA-B402 and ANNA-B412 data sheets [5] [6] and ANNA-B402 and ANNA-B412
product summaries [3] [4].
1.2 Example applications
The ANNA-B4 modules are applicable for a wide range of different applications:
•Industrial automation
•Smart buildings and cities
•Low power sensors
•Wireless-connected and configurable equipment
•Point-of-sales
•Health devices
•Real-time Location, RTLS
•Indoor positioning
•Asset tracking
•Wearables
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 7 of 74
C1-Public
1.3 Product features
Figure 1: ANNA-B4 series main features summary
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 8 of 74
C1-Public
1.4 Block diagrams
A block diagram of the ANNA-B4x2 module is shown in Figure 2.
☞Not all interfaces are supported by the u-connectXpress software in ANNA-B412 variants.
For information about the interfaces supported specifically in ANNA-B412, see also the
ANNA-B412 data sheet [6].
Figure 2: ANNA-B4x2 block diagram
The ANNA-B4 System in Package (SiP) module has an integrated antenna. The “RF pin”can either be
connected directly to the adjacent “Antenna pin”to use the internal antenna. Otherwise, it can be
routed to an external antenna or antenna connector. When using the internal antenna, a counterpoise
trace must be routed on the main PCB and connected to “Antenna PCB” pin.
To achieve the lowest possible power consumption in stand-by mode ANNA-B4 has the possibility to
connect an optional external 32.768 kHz LPO crystal or oscillator.
VCC_IO (1.7 –3.6 V)
DC/DC and LDO regulators
512 kB flash
Bluetooth LE
baseband
IO buffers
Arm® Cortex®-M4
with FPU
PLL
VCC (1.7 –3.6 V)
32 MHz
Reset
UART
SPI
GPIO
1.3 V
System
power
I2C
PWM
I2S
ADC and
comparator
Analog
Passive NFC tag
NFC
128 kB
RAM
PLL
32.768 kHz
RTC, timers
and counters
RF
Nordic nRF52833
USB device
USB 2.0
QDEC
PDM
Antenna
Antenna PCB
Antenna pin
RF pin
ANNA-B4x2
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 9 of 74
C1-Public
1.5 Product description
ANNA-B4
Item
ANNA-B402 / ANNA-B412
Bluetooth version
5.1
Band support
2.4 GHz, 40 channels
Typical conducted output power
+8 dBm
Max radiated output power with internal antenna (EIRP)
+9 dBm
Max radiated output power with external antenna (EIRP)
+13 dBm (pending certification)
RX sensitivity (conducted)
-94 dBm
RX sensitivity, long range mode (conducted)
-103 dBm
Supported 2.4 GHz radio modes
Bluetooth Low Energy
IEEE 802.15.4 (ANNA-B402 only)
Proprietary 2.4 GHz modes (ANNA-B402 only)
Supported Bluetooth LE data rates
1 Mbps
2 Mbps
500 kbps
125 kbps
Module size
6.5 x 6.5 x 1.2 mm
Table 2: ANNA-B4 series characteristics summary
For more information about each module variant, see also the ANNA-B402 [5] and ANNA-B412 [6]
data sheets.
1.6 Hardware options
ANNA-B402 and ANNA-B412 modules have identical hardware architecture and design. Both module
variants are based on the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52833 System on Chip (SoC).
1.7 Software options
ANNA-B4 modules are integrated with an Arm® Cortex®-M4 application processor with FPU, 512 kB
flash memory and 128 kB RAM.
The structure of any software running on either ANNA-B4 module variant includes the following
components:
•Radio stack
•Bootloader (optional)
•Application
The fundamental differences in the software implantation of the two module variants include:
•ANNA-B402 modules host the customer application and optional bootloader software, developed
using the Nordic SDK, in an open-CPU configuration on the module. See also Open CPU.
•ANNA-B412 modules are pre-flashed with a secure bootloader and u-connectXpress software that
interfaces through an AT command interpreter to control customer application software running
on host MCUs. See also u-connectXpress software.
•Both module variants include the Nordic S140 SoftDevice Bluetooth Low Energy protocol stack
that supports GATT server and client, central and peripheral roles, and multidrop connections.
ANNA-B4 series - System integration manual
UBX-21000517 - R03 Contents Page 10 of 74
C1-Public
Figure 3 shows the software architecture and implementation of software components for
ANNA-B402 and ANNA-B412 modules.
Figure 3: ANNA-B4 software structure
Open CPU
The open CPU architecture of ANNA-B402 series modules allows module integrators to build their
own applications. Table 3 describes the possible connectivity and application support for
recommended Nordic SDK environments in ANNA-B40 hardware. See also Open CPU software.
Feature
Support
Development environment
Nordic SDK (including Bluetooth Mesh, HomeKit, AirFuel, IoT, Thread, Zigbee)
HW interfaces
2 x UART
4 x SPI
33 x GPIO pins
8 x ADC channels
1 x USB
2 x I2C
1 x I2S
4 x PWM
1 x QDEC
Security
Secure boot ready
Secure Simple Pairing
128-bit AES encryption
Bluetooth low energy secure connections
Table 3: Open CPU software support
See also Open CPU software.