Arduino ABX00131 Stella

The Arduino ABX00131 Stella is an ultra-wideband (UWB)-enabled development board designed for high-precision location tracking. It integrates the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 microcontroller with the Truesense DCU040 UWB module, enabling centimeter-level accuracy in real-time positioning tasks. The board supports interoperability with Arduino Portenta UWB Shield and UWB-enabled smartphones, ensuring flexible deployment. 

The nRF52840 microcontroller provides high processing capabilities with a 64MHz Arm Cortex-M4 CPU, 1MB of Flash, and 256kB of RAM, along with Bluetooth 5 and other wireless protocols. The Truesense DCU040 UWB module delivers accurate 2-way ranging with less than ±10cm accuracy. Connectivity is streamlined through a USB Type-C port and integration with various APIs, including Apple's Nearby Interaction and Android's UWB Jetpack library. The board also includes an SC7A20 3-axis accelerometer for motion detection and a FUET-5020 buzzer, making it a versatile platform for precision tracking.

Arduino ABX00131 Stella Features  

The Arduino ABX00131 Stella is a location tracking board integrating a Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 microcontroller and a Truesense DCU040 UWB module. This combination facilitates real-time, high-precision positioning for various technical applications. Let’s go through its features in detail: 

Processing and Connectivity

The Arduino ABX00131 Stella is equipped with the Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840, a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M4 CPU with a floating-point unit operating at 64MHz. This microcontroller has 1MB of Flash memory and 256kB of RAM. It incorporates an Arm TrustZone CryptoCell cryptographic unit for security. The board supports multiple interfaces, including UART, SPI, TWI, PDM, I2S, QSPI, PWM, a 12-bit ADC, and NFC-A, with a USB 2.0 port for power and data. Wireless connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.0 and UWB CH5/CH9.

UWB and Sensing Capabilities

The Truesense DCU040 UWB module, based on the NXP Trimension™ SR040 IC, supports two-way ranging with <±10 cm accuracy over a 6.24–8.24 GHz frequency range and up to 14.7 dBm output power (EIRP). Motion sensing is enabled by the SC7A20 3-axis MEMS accelerometer, offering selectable ranges of ±2G, ±4G, ±8G, and ±16G. It supports 6D/4D orientation, motion detection, free-fall, single/double click events, and includes an interrupt generator, FIFO memory, self-test functions, and 10,000G shock survivability.

Peripherals and Expansion

Peripheral components include a FUET-5020 buzzer (4 kHz frequency, 75 dB at 10 cm), one user-programmable button, one reset button, a programmable LED, and an I²C QWIIC connector for external modules. Debugging and programming are supported via JTAG/SWD. The board measures 38 mm × 38 mm.

Power and Operating Conditions

Power options include a USB Type-C input, a single-cell CR2032 battery, or an external supply via J-Link connector. Electrical specifications include a 5.0 V USB input, a 2.0–3.3 V battery input, and a 3.0–3.6 V J-Link input. Operating temperatures range from -20°C to +70°C. Typical current consumption is 7 mA in normal mode with BLE advertising (10 Hz, 100 ms) and 10.6 mA in UWB ranging mode (5 Hz, 200 ms).

Applications

The Arduino ABX00131 Stella is suited for various technical applications demanding precision location and motion data. Its UWB capabilities facilitate human-machine interaction, enabling intuitive device control and real-time feedback. In logistics, the board can be integrated into autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) for dynamic "follow-me" functionality in warehouse environments. For security, it allows for secure item transportation by providing real-time proximity alerts and tracking high-value assets. Additionally, the Stella can be applied to residential access control, automating door access based on UWB-enabled devices, and for EV automatic recharge, where precise vehicle positioning triggers the charging process.