Data Sheet

NINA-B40 series - Data sheet
UBX-19049405 - R04 Interfaces Page 9 of 40
C1 - Public
2 Interfaces
2.1 Power management
2.1.1 Module supply input (VCC)
NINA-B40 series modules use integrated step-down converters to transform the supply voltage
presented at the VCC pin into a stable system voltage. Consequently, the modules are compatible for
use in battery powered designs – without the need of an additional voltage converter.
The modules support two on-board converters:
 Low dropout (LDO)
 DC/DC buck
The module automatically switches between these converters to suit the prevailing current
consumption. The DC/DC converter is more efficient under high loads when the radio is active, while
the LDO converter is better suited for power saving modes.
2.1.2 Digital I/O interfaces reference voltage (VCC_IO)
All modules in the NINA series generally provide an additional voltage supply input for setting the I/O
voltage level. In NINA-B40 series modules, the I/O voltage level is similar to the supply voltage and
VCC_IO is internally connected to the supply input. Therefore, only a single supply voltage is needed
for NINA-B40, which makes it ideal for battery powered designs.
☞ The supply arrangements can vary in other modules in the NINA series. A design that that is pin
compatible with other NINA-series modules should keep the VCC and VCC_IO supply rails
separate.
2.2 RF antenna interfaces
2.2.1 2.4 GHz radio (ANT)
NINA-B40 model versions have their own 2.4 GHz antenna solutions:
 NINA-B400 modules use an U.FL connector solution for external antenna. The ANT pin is internally
disconnected on these models.
 NINA-B406 modules use an internal PCB trace antenna integrated into the module PCB. This low-
profile antenna solution is useful in space constrained designs. The ANT pin is internally
disconnected on these models. This solution uses antenna technology licensed from Proant AB.
☞ See the NINA-B4 System integration manual [3] for Antenna reference designs and integration
instructions.
2.2.2 Near Field Communication (NFC)
NINA-B40 series modules include a Near Field Communication interface that can operate as a
13.56 MHz NFC tag that operates at a bit rate of 106 kbps.
As an NFC tag, data can be read from or written to the NINA-B40 modules using an NFC reader.
NINA-B40 modules are not capable of reading other tags or initiating NFC communications.
The NFC interface can be used to wake the module from sleep mode, which means that the module
can be kept in the deepest power save mode and still wake up properly to react to an NFC field.
Two pins are available for connecting to an external NFC antenna: NFC1 and NFC2.