Nordic Semiconductor Adds Entry-Level Bluetooth LE SoCs to nRF54L Series
The nRF54LS05A and nRF54LS05B SoCs target cost-sensitive applications, including sensors, tags, and PC peripherals, giving developers the flexibility to address basic, entry-level SoC needs.
Nordic Semiconductor announced two new additions to its nRF54L series: the nRF54LS05A and nRF54LS05B. The components can function as the main wireless SoC in single-chip systems or as Bluetooth LE companion devices in multi-chip systems. The new parts round out the lower end of the nRF54L portfolio, giving developers a path into the series without paying for memory and peripherals they don’t need.
Nordic Semiconductor expands its nRF54L series with the n54LS05A and n54LS05B entry-level Bluetooth LE SoCs. Image used courtesy of Nordic Semiconductor
Hardware at a Glance
Both new nRF54L series SoCs combine a 128 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 with low-leakage RAM and include Nordic’s 4th-generation Bluetooth LE radio, baseline security, and pin-to-pin compatibility with selected SoCs in the series. The radio supports data rates up to 4 Mbps and up to 8 dBm TX power with -96 dBm RX sensitivity.
The two parts are nearly identical, differing only in RAM. Both offer 0.5 MB of NVM; the nRF54LS05A provides 64 KB of RAM, while the nRF54LS05B steps up to 96 KB for applications that need a bit more headroom. On the peripheral side, both include a 4-channel successive-approximation ADC capable of 14-bit resolution at 31.25 ksps with oversampling, or 10-bit at up to 1 Msps, as well as a PWM controller with autonomous waveform generation. A Global RTC can remain active in System-OFF mode with current consumption down to 0.8 µA at 3.0 V, and an integrated RISC-V coprocessor is available to handle time-critical tasks or offload work from the main Cortex-M33.
Nordic’s nRF54L series SoCs feature an Arm Cortex M33 running at 128 MHz. Image used courtesy of Nordic Semiconductor
Target Applications and Series Context
The streamlined hardware makes Nordic’s new SoCs well-suited for sensors, tags, beacons, remote controls, and PC peripherals. They fit squarely at the bottom of what is now a fairly broad lineup of nRF54L devices. The nRF54L series spans 0.5 MB to 2 MB of NVM and 96 KB to 512 KB of RAM across its members, with the nRF54LM20A at the high end featuring 2 MB NVM and 512 KB RAM for demanding applications like gaming peripherals and Matter-connected smart home devices.
For engineers already working with the nRF52 series, Nordic says the nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal option and a smooth migration path from the nRF52 series help speed development and simplify transitions to the nRF54L architecture. The nRF54L platform is built on a 22 nm process node, which underpins the power savings compared to previous generations.
The nRF54LS05 DK development kit for the nRF54LS05A and nRF54LS05 SoCs. Image used courtesy of Nordic Semiconductor
Software and Certification
Both chips use the same certified Bluetooth LE stack found across the wider nRF54L series, enabling developers to reuse certifications and benefit from Nordic’s longstanding involvement in Bluetooth standards development. That’s a practical advantage for teams building products that need to pass regulatory hurdles without having to start the certification process from scratch.
Development tools include the nRF Connect SDK, documentation, and hands-on online training. Nordic also offers nRF Cloud services to provide a secure, scalable firmware update and device management stack.
Availability
The nRF54LS05A and nRF54LS05B are now ready for evaluation and development, with production expected to start in Q3 2026. An nRF54LS05-DK development kit based on the nRF54LS05B, with emulation support for the nRF54LS05A’s reduced RAM configuration, is also available through the early access program. Interested developers can contact Nordic’s sales team to request samples and development kits.
