STM4100: Low Profile Bluetooth to UART Module - $39.95

[Vitaliy-14]

Just added to ScanTool.net store:

http://www.scantool.net/stm4100-low-profile-bluetooth-to-uart-module.html

$20 less than Sparkfun's module, AND low profile. :)

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8550

Vitaliy
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[Kevin Jones-35]

The base module that the spark fun device uses is only $35.00

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtqO%252bWUGLBzeMW4TCGBne5E

and much lower in quantity. However, its a 3.3v device and requires
SMD soldering skills. The extra dollars to spark fun are for a 5v
interface and having already soldered to a board that is easier for
hobbiests to work with.

However, looking at the bottom picture of the device, I'm not sure
its all that much lower in profile. There are jumpers and connector
on the bottom of the board. The spark fun module is smooth on the
bottom, no components.

>Just added to ScanTool.net store:
>
>http://www.scantool.net/stm4100-low-profile-bluetooth-to-uart-module.html
>
>$20 less than Sparkfun's module, AND low profile. :)
>
>http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8550
>
>Vitaliy
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[Vitaliy-14]

Kevin Jones wrote:
> The base module that the spark fun device uses is only $35.00
>
> http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtqO%252bWUGLBzeMW4TCGBne5E
>
> and much lower in quantity. However, its a 3.3v device and requires
> SMD soldering skills. The extra dollars to spark fun are for a 5v
> interface and having already soldered to a board that is easier for
> hobbiests to work with.

Kevin, I have a feeling that you don't understand what STM4100 is. It is a
module that has all the features of the SparkFun DIP (on-board 5V regulator,
development-friendly connector), and in addition also has circuitry that
allows it to automatically go "bus-off" when a serial or USB cable is
plugged into the same circuit. It has a much smaller vertical profile, and
requires only a 2x6 2mm header on one side (so it does not intrude as much
on the host PCB).

You get all this, for only $4.95 more than you would pay for the bare RN41
($39.95 vs $35), and $20 less than you would pay for the SparkFun module.


> However, looking at the bottom picture of the device, I'm not sure
> its all that much lower in profile. There are jumpers and connector
> on the bottom of the board. The spark fun module is smooth on the
> bottom, no components.

Here's a picture I just took, of two old lab samples (I apologize for the
quality):

http://maksimov.org/piclist/sparkfun_vs_stm4100.jpg

Notice that the connector on STM4100 is female, and the holes go _through_
the PCB.

Sparkfun's module was designed to plug into a breadboard, where space is not
an issue. STM4100 was designed to be used in a production device with a very
low vertical clearance:

http://www.scantool.net/elmscan-5-bluetooth.html

I hope it all makes better sense now.

Vitaliy

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[Kevin Jones-35]

 >Kevin, I have a feeling that you don't understand what STM4100 is. It is a
 >module that has all the features of the SparkFun DIP (on-board 5V regulator,
 >development-friendly connector), and in addition also has circuitry that
 >allows it to automatically go "bus-off" when a serial or USB cable is
 >plugged into the same circuit. It has a much smaller vertical profile, and
 >requires only a 2x6 2mm header on one side (so it does not intrude as much
 >on the host PCB).

I was talking about a different spark fun device:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=582

Which I think the profile is about the same, but is considerably more
expensive, and longer.

Do you know how to get to the documentation for the STM4100 ? The
data sheet listed with the device is basically specifications and
dimensions, no command set for the device.

Regards,
Kevin Jones


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[Vitaliy-14]

Kevin Jones wrote:

> >Kevin, I have a feeling that you don't understand what STM4100 is. It is
> >a
> >module that has all the features of the SparkFun DIP (on-board 5V
> >regulator,
> >development-friendly connector), and in addition also has circuitry that
> >allows it to automatically go "bus-off" when a serial or USB cable is
> >plugged into the same circuit. It has a much smaller vertical profile,
> >and
> >requires only a 2x6 2mm header on one side (so it does not intrude as
> >much
> >on the host PCB).
>
> I was talking about a different spark fun device:
> http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=582
>
> Which I think the profile is about the same, but is considerably more
> expensive, and longer.

Oh, OK. I didn't know that the BlueSMiRF was updated to use the RN41.


> Do you know how to get to the documentation for the STM4100 ? The
> data sheet listed with the device is basically specifications and
> dimensions, no command set for the device.

Sorry, I realize this wasn't made clear. STM4100 is based on the RN41
module, so the command set is identical:

http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Wireless/Bluetooth/rn-bluetooth-um.pdf

By the way, I love Sparkfun's sense of humor. The path at the bottom of
their schematic PDF reads:

\\pandora\work\eagle\projects\wireless\[...]

I spent about eight hours today restructuring directories on one of our
share drives, and it looks like I'm going to spend as much time on it, on
Monday. A dozen people using the server over a period of several years can
indeed turn it into a real Pandora's Box. :)

Vitaliy

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