Panasonic Industry Brings Bluetooth 6.0 to Mass Production with PAN B611-1 Module

Panasonic Industry has moved its latest Bluetooth module, the PAN B611-1, into mass production. Built on Nordic’s new nRF54L15 SoC, the compact module combines support for Bluetooth 6.0, including the emerging Channel Sounding feature, with practical design choices aimed at easing prototyping and reducing development cost.

Bluetooth 6.0 and Channel Sounding

Bluetooth has steadily expanded beyond short-range connectivity, and the introduction of Channel Sounding in Bluetooth 6.0 reflects that shift. The feature allows devices to measure distance with greater accuracy, opening new possibilities for location-aware applications, mesh synchronisation, and secure ranging. For developers, this means more reliable performance in crowded wireless environments and new tools for building smarter IoT networks.

By integrating Bluetooth 6.0 into a production-ready module, Panasonic is helping bring those capabilities into mainstream IoT and Matter devices, from wearables and healthcare monitors to industrial sensors and energy systems.

Practical Design for Engineers

The 10.35 × 9.8 × 1.9 mm module uses a hybrid castellated/LGA package that exposes all 32 pins of the nRF54L15. Edge pins make hand-soldering and optical inspection straightforward, while bottom pads provide access to the full set of GPIOs. This combination means engineers can prototype quickly on two-layer PCBs without investing in costly X-ray inspection equipment, but still scale to more complex designs when needed.

Under the hood, the PAN B611-1 features an ARM Cortex-M33 processor running up to 128 MHz, 256 kB RAM, and 1.5 MB of integrated non-volatile memory, with optional variants adding 4 MB of external flash for more demanding application layers.

Versatility for IoT and Matter

Pascal Maier, Head of IoT Devices at Panasonic Industry, said: “Our latest PAN B611-1 Bluetooth module is a versatile device that can support a variety of applications, from ultra-low power battery-driven solutions to very complex applications like Matter, as well as sophisticated algorithm-heavy features like Channel Sounding. This is why we offer different spec variants to enable a variety of applications. For example, the modules are available with additional integrated slow clock crystal for energy-efficient battery-powered operation and an additional 4 MB Flash Memory for more complex applications. We think our clients will love this module for its versatility and power at a competitive price point.”

With an output power of 8 dBm, the module is optimised for European regulatory environments. Target applications include smart lighting, appliances, medical wearables, industrial sensors, and energy management systems. Its multi-protocol support for Bluetooth LE, Mesh, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter ensures compatibility across ecosystems and the ability to run multiple protocols concurrently.

Certified and Ready

The PAN B611-1 is available in two variants: one with an integrated chip antenna (-1C) and one designed for external antennas (-1B). It carries certifications across Europe, the UK, North America, and Japan, making it easier for manufacturers to move from prototype to deployment.

By combining next-generation Bluetooth features with a developer-friendly design, Panasonic Industry’s PAN B611-1 positions itself as more than just another Bluetooth module; it’s a practical bridge to the next wave of smart, interoperable IoT devices.

Learn more and read the original article on industry.panasonic.eu