What is Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense?
The Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense is a compact development board based on the Nordic nRF52840 chipset. What sets it apart is the integration of an IMU six-axis sensor (LSM6DS3TR-C) and a PDM microphone, making it ideal for AI, sound recognition, and motion-detection projects.
Key features include:
- Microcontroller: Nordic nRF52840 (Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, ZigBee support)
- Memory: 1MB Flash and 256KB RAM
- Interfaces: I2C, UART, SPI, PWM, ADC, and more
- Built-in Sensors: Six-axis IMU and Digital Microphone
- Size: 21mm x 17.5mm, only 4g
- Software Support: Arduino, MicroPython, Zephyr, and Edge Impulse (for AI)
What is Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840?
The Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 shares the same core chipset but does not include built-in sensors. It is designed for flexible Bluetooth and IoT development, giving developers the freedom to attach external peripherals based on their project needs.
Main features:
- Microcontroller: Nordic nRF52840
- Memory: 1MB Flash, 256KB RAM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, ZigBee, NFC
- Expansion: 14 GPIO pins for maximum flexibility
- Size: Ultra-compact and lightweight design
- Software Compatibility: Arduino IDE, PlatformIO, MicroPython
Explore the official Wiki for documentation.
What are the Differences Between Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840?
Although both boards share the same core hardware, there are important differences in their built-in features and target applications:
| Feature | XIAO nRF52840 Sense | XIAO nRF52840 |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in Sensors | Yes (IMU + Microphone) | No |
| Target Applications | AI, motion tracking, voice recognition, smart wearables | General Bluetooth, IoT prototyping, custom sensor integration |
| AI/ML Support | Edge Impulse ready | Requires external sensors for AI tasks |
| Price Point | Slightly higher | More affordable |
| Out-of-the-box Usage | Faster for sensing projects | Requires sensor additions depending on use case |
In simple terms:
- Choose XIAO nRF52840 Sense if you need immediate motion or sound sensing capabilities.
- Choose XIAO nRF52840 if you prefer building highly customized Bluetooth or IoT projects from scratch.
For full technical details, you can refer to the nRF52840 Full Specification (PDF) .
Which Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Version is Best for Your Project?
- When to choose XIAO nRF52840 Sense: If your project involves AI-powered motion detection, audio analysis, smart wearables, or needs rapid prototyping with built-in sensors, the Sense version will save you time and effort.
- When to choose XIAO nRF52840: If you are developing highly customized IoT nodes, Bluetooth mesh devices, or want total flexibility over your external hardware setup, the standard version is a better choice and more budget-friendly.
Conclusion
Both Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 are powerful, ultra-compact development boards designed to meet different needs. Choosing the right board depends on whether your project demands integrated sensors or customizable expansion.
To explore more tutorials and project examples, visit the Seeed Studio official Wiki.
FAQ
What firmware and development platforms, including PlatformIO, are supported by Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and XIAO nRF52840?
Both Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and XIAO nRF52840 support a wide range of firmware and development environments, including:
- Arduino Core for nRF52: Ideal for rapid prototyping.
- MicroPython: Lightweight and flexible for scripting applications.
- Zephyr RTOS: Suitable for real-time and IoT networking tasks.
- PlatformIO: Fully supported, offering seamless integration for multi-platform development, library management, and automated build systems.
- Edge Impulse (for Sense version): Perfect for deploying AI models such as motion and sound recognition.
Firmware flashing is easy via USB DFU mode or SWD debugging interface. You can find detailed instructions in the official Seeed Wiki.
Does Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and XIAO nRF52840 support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)?
Yes, both Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and XIAO nRF52840 fully support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0. Features include:
- BLE 5.0 high speed and long-range capabilities
- BLE Mesh networking
- Ultra-low power consumption ideal for portable IoT applications
You can easily build BLE projects using Arduino, Zephyr, Nordic SDK, or PlatformIO.
Can Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and XIAO nRF52840 be used for NFC applications?
Yes, both boards support NFC-A Tag mode based on the nRF52840 chipset. Although NFC functionality is disabled by default to free up more GPIO pins, it can be enabled via firmware when using Nordic SDK, Zephyr, or PlatformIO for advanced NFC development.
What types of IoT projects are ideal for Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and XIAO nRF52840?
- Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense: AI wearables, voice recognition devices, motion-tracking sensors, and smart environment monitors.
- Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840: General-purpose Bluetooth devices, custom IoT nodes, BLE Mesh gateways, and NFC authentication modules.
Both boards integrate smoothly with PlatformIO, Arduino IDE, and Zephyr RTOS, offering maximum flexibility for developers.
How to update firmware on Seeed Studio XIAO nRF52840 Sense and XIAO nRF52840?
You can update firmware using two main methods:
- USB DFU Mode: Enter bootloader mode by double-tapping the reset button, then simply drag-and-drop the firmware file.
- SWD Debugging: Flash the firmware via SWD interface using debuggers like J-Link or CMSIS-DAP.
PlatformIO, Arduino IDE, and Nordic's official tools (e.g., nrfutil) all support firmware updating on these boards.
