Door 3 – nRF54 Series
Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF54 Series: Redefining Wireless SoC Performance for the IoT Era
Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF54 Series represents a significant evolution in wireless System-on-Chip (SoC) technology, tailored for the rapidly expanding
Internet of Things (IoT) landscape. As the fourth generation of Nordic’s renowned low-power wireless platforms, the nRF54 family introduces groundbreaking improvements in processing power, memory architecture, energy efficiency, and security - setting a new benchmark for connected device performance.
A Family of High-Performance Wireless SoCs
The nRF54 Series is divided into two main families: the nRF54H and the nRF54L. Each is optimized for different application needs:
nRF54H Series
Designed for high-end applications requiring intensive processing and advanced connectivity. It features multiple powerful Arm Cortex-M33 processor, RISC-V coprocessors, and extensive memory resources. This makes it ideal for complex use cases such as medical devices, industrial sensors, and advanced wearables.
nRF54L Series
The nRF54L Series takes the popular nRF52 Series to the next level and is designed for the next-generation Bluetooth LE products. It integrates a new ultra-low- power 2.4 GHz radio and multi-purpose MCU functionality, featuring a 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33, doubling the processing power and tripling the processing efficiency. The nRF54L Series is focused on efficient and low-power applications while still offering good performance. It supports Bluetooth LE, Thread, Zigbee, and Matter, making it perfect for smart home devices, fitness trackers, and IoT devices.
Key Features and Innovations:
- Multiprotocol Support:
The nRF54 Series supports a wide range of wireless protocols including Bluetooth 6.0 and further Bluetooth specifications. Bluetooth LE Audio, Bluetooth Mesh, Thread, Zigbee, and Matter. This ensures compatibility with modern smart ecosystems and future-proofing for evolving standards.
- Enhanced Security:
Built-in hardware security features such as isolated execution environments and secure boot mechanisms protect against cyber threats and unauthorized access.
- High Memory Capacity:
With significantly more RAM and flash than previous generations, the nRF54 chips can handle complex firmware and edge processing tasks without external memory.
- Energy Efficiency:
Despite their increased capabilities, the chips maintain ultra-low power consumption, extending battery life in portable and wearable devices.
- Software Flexibility:
Nordic’s nRF Connect SDK supports both Zephyr RTOS and the new Bare Metal variant, giving developers the choice between full-featured OS environments and lightweight, resource-efficient setups.
Applications Across Industries:
- Smart Home:
Seamless integration with Matter and Thread enables reliable, secure communication between devices from different manufacturers.
- Healthcare:
High-performance processing and low power consumption make it ideal for wearable medical monitors and diagnostic tools.
- Industrial IoT:
Robust connectivity and security features support mission-critical applications in automation and asset tracking.
- Consumer Electronics:
From fitness bands to wireless earbuds, the nRF54 Series powers next-gen user experiences with Bluetooth LE Audio and extended battery life.
Extending the company’s pioneering approach in Bluetooth® Low Energy (Bluetooth® LE), the nRF54 Series follows Nordic’s award-winning nRF51,nRF52, and nRF53 Series, and introduces an innovative new hardware architecture fabricated on the Global-Foundries 22FDX® and TSMC 22ULL® leading process nodes.
The next-generation of wireless SoCs, taking the popular nRF52 Series to the next level
Built on the experience from the successful nRF52 Series—shipped in the billions and trusted by thousands of developers—the nRF54L Series is set to be a worthy successor. The nRF54L Series enables the creation of innovative next-generation IoT products. It simplifies design challenges and ensures reliable wireless communication while raising the bar on achievable battery lifetime.
High performance MCU: Arm Cortex-M33 at 128 MHz, offering 2× the processing power and 3× the efficiency of the nRF52840, with lower energy use thanks to 22nm technology.
Ultra-low-power radio: New 2.4 GHz radio reduces power consumption in Bluetooth LE use cases, with up to 8 dBm TX power and -96 dBm RX sensitivity.
Protocol support: Multiprotocol capabilities including Bluetooth LE (with Bluetooth 6.0 features), Bluetooth Mesh, Matter, Thread, Zigbee, and proprietary 2.4 GHz modes. Compatible with ecosystems like Amazon Sidewalk, Google Find Hub, and Apple Find My. The nRF54LM20A and nRF54L15 can run a Wi-Fi stack for the companion ICs from the nRF70 Series.
Advanced security: Features include secure boot, firmware updates, storage, TrustZone, cryptographic acceleration, tamper detection, and side-channel protection.
Integrated peripherals & coprocessor: Extended interfaces, 14-bit ADC, ultra-low-power RTC, and a RISC-V coprocessor for time-critical tasks or custom protocols.
Design flexibility: Multiple memory sizes, compact CSP and QFN packages with pin-to-pin compatibility for cost-sensitive products.
Modules: Ready-to-use modules for Bluetooth LE, Matter, Thread, and Zigbee simplify hardware development, available via Rutronik module partners.
nRF54LM20A
nRF54LM20A
3.85 x 3.67 mm CSP98 66 GPIO
nRF54LM20A
6 x 6 mm QFN52 35 GPIO
nRF54LM20
Development Kit
nRF54L15 | nRF54L10 | nRF54L05
nRF54L15
2.4 x 2.2 mm CSP47 32 GPIO
nRF54L15
6 x 6 mm QFN48 31 GPIO
nRF54L10
6 x 6 mm QFN48 31 GPIO
nRF54L05
6 x 6 mm QFN48 31 GPIO
nRF54L15
Development Kit
nRF54L Series Selection Guide
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nRF54LM20A |
nRF54L15 |
nRF54L10 |
nRF54L05 |
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Processor |
128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 |
128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 |
128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 |
128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 |
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Coprocessor |
128 MHz FLPR |
128 MHz FLPR |
128 MHz FLPR |
128 MHz FLPR |
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NVM |
2 MB |
1.5 MB |
1.0 MB |
0.5 MB |
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RAM |
512 KB |
256 KB |
192 KB |
96 KB |
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Bluetooth |
Bluetooth LE, Channel Sounding |
Bluetooth LE, Channel Sounding, Mesh |
Bluetooth LE, Channel Sounding, Mesh |
Bluetooth LE, Channel Sounding, Mesh |
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Additional Protocols |
Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Aliro |
Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Aliro, Amazon Sidewalk |
Zigbee, Thread, Matter, Aliro, Amazon Sidewalk |
Zigbee, Thread |
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TX Power |
Up to 8 dBm |
Up to 8 dBm |
Up to 7 dBm |
Up to 7 dBm |
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RX Sensitivity |
-96 dBm |
-96 dBm |
-96 dBm |
-96 dBm |
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Digital interfaces |
High-speed USB, High-speed SPI/UART, 6x SPI/UART/TWI, PDM, TDM, PWM, QDEC |
High-speed SPI/UART, 4x SPI/UART/TWI, PDM, I2S, PWM, QDEC |
High-speed SPI/UART, 4x SPI/UART/TWI, PDM, I2S, PWM, QDEC |
High-speed SPI/UART, 4x SPI/UART/TWI, PDM, I2S, PWM, QDEC |
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Security |
Regulatory compliance (RED, CRA, PSTI) Crypto Engine, Tamper Detection, Side-Channel Protection, Trustzone |
Regulatory compliance (RED, CRA, PSTI) Crypto Engine, Tamper Detection, Side-Channel Protection, Trustzone |
Regulatory compliance (RED, CRA, PSTI) Crypto Engine, Tamper Detection, Side-Channel Protection, Trustzone |
Regulatory compliance (RED, CRA, PSTI) Crypto Engine, Tamper Detection, Side-Channel Protection, Trustzone |
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Operating Temperatures |
-40 to +85ºC |
-40 to +105ºC |
-40 to +105ºC |
-40 to +105ºC |
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Supply Voltage |
1.7 to 3.6 V |
1.7 to 3.6 V |
1.7 to 3.6 V |
1.7 to 3.6 V |
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GPIOs |
Up to 66 |
Up to 35 |
Up to 35 |
Up to 35 |
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Package Options |
3.9 x 3.7 mm CSP98 6 x 6 mm QFN52 |
2.4 x 2.2 mm CSP47 6 x 6 mm QFN52 6 x 6 mm QFN48 5 x 5 mm QFN40 |
6 x 6 mm QFN52 6 x 6 mm QFN48 5 x 5 mm QFN40 |
6 x 6 mm QFN52 6 x 6 mm QFN48 5 x 5 mm QFN40 |
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