The nRF21540 device is an RF front-end module (FEM) that improves range and connection robustness for Nordic Semiconductor's short-range wireless portfolio.
nRF21540 is a plug and play range extender that can be used with the nRF52 and nRF53 Series advanced multiprotocol wireless SoCs, requiring a minimal amount of external components. The +13 dB RX gain and low noise figure of 2.5 dB, in addition to up to +21 dBm TX output power, ensure a superior link budget for IoT applications. For example, when combined with an nRF52840 SoC running Bluetooth® Low Energy at 1 Mbps, the nRF21540 improves the RX sensitivity by 5 dBm to -100 dBm. Coupled with the increased output power, the connection link budget is increased by 18 dBm. For nRF52 and nRF53 Series devices with less than +8 dBm TX power, the range can reach up to 16x farther.
The nRF21540 device is a valuable addition for all applications requiring increased range or robust coverage. Because it can operate within an extended temperature range of -40°C to +105°C, nRF21540 can be used with nRF52833 and nRF5340 SoCs for industrial applications such as professional lighting. Other example applications include asset tracking, remote controlled toys, audio, and smart home use.