Digi has announced a module that delivers reliable, secure Bluetooth Low Energy 5.4 connectivity for connected products with provisioning, edge processing and mobile management capabilities in industrial, healthcare, retail and smart building applications.

The Digi XBee 3 Blu module is built for reliable operation in harsh environments with an industrial temperature range of -40 to +85˚C. It supports Bluetooth LE 5.4 features including enhanced range, improved data throughput and beaconing capabilities for proximity detection and asset tracking applications.

Available in two standard XBee form factors (through-hole and micro), it is pre-certified to accelerate regulatory approval processes across global markets.

The XBee ecosystem (www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-xbee) provides seamless integration across form factors, connectivity technologies, APIs and software tools. This lets device manufacturers quickly add intelligent Bluetooth connectivity to their products, without the need for extensive hardware or software redesigns.

Unlike traditional Bluetooth modules that require external microcontrollers, the XBee 3 BLU features embedded MicroPython programmability with direct access to on-module IO (digital IO, 10bit ADC inputs) and Bluetooth LE connectivity. This edge processing option allows device manufacturers to implement custom logic, sensor data processing and decision-making directly on the module, helping reduce design complexity and cost.

Security extends beyond standard Bluetooth module implementations. It integrates TrustFence (www.digi.com/solutions/by-technology/trustfence), including secure boot and hardware-accelerated encryption, with implementation of the Secure Remote Password (SRP) standard to deliver zero-knowledge authentication and 256bit AES encryption capabilities. Combined with the Bluetooth LE 5.4 security features, such as encrypted advertising and its standard secure pairing capabilities, the module includes an additional security layer.

Digi’s XBee Studio (www.digi.com/resources/examples-guides/getting-started-with-digi-xbee-studio) provides device discovery, a console for communication, device configuration, firmware updates and embedded tools for tasks such as XBee profile creation and device recovery. The tool’s quick setup wizard reduces development time by providing pre-configured templates for common use cases including beaconing and sensor monitoring.

A mobile app simplifies field deployment by enabling wireless configuration of settings and over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates directly from iOS and Android devices using Bluetooth. OEMs can now build products that allow customers or technicians to discover nearby devices easily, read sensor data, change configuration parameters and perform remote maintenance without physical access or special equipment. The app includes built-in functionality for beacon scanning, beacon advertising and phone or tablet communication use cases, enabling immediate testing and deployment of Bluetooth-enabled products.

An IoT mobile SDK provides complete libraries, code examples and documentation for creating branded mobile applications that interact with products integrating the modules. It accelerates custom mobile application development through the Digi IoT library for Microsoft .NET MAUI, a framework that enables developers to create a single application and share code between iOS and Android platforms, reducing development time, complexity and costs.

“Digi XBee 3 Blu helps remove common integration barriers for device manufacturers by instantly enabling wireless device management integration from initial provisioning through ongoing maintenance,” said Quinn Jones, senior product manager at Digi (www.digi.com). “Our customers can now deliver options for equipment monitoring with local data processing, proximity-based asset management and mobile-enabled device provisioning across industries with a single product platform.”

The module (www.digi.com/products/embedded-systems/digi-xbee/rf-modules/2-4-ghz-rf-modules/digi-xbee-3-blu) and development kits are available immediately for Digi distributors.