Power vs. Efficiency: A Deep Dive into Nordic's Newest Bluetooth SoCs

A few months ago Nordic Semiconductor, the leading global provider of Bluetooth communication solutions, unveiled its latest fourth-generation wireless SoCs: the nRF54H20 and the nRF54L15. These advanced chips represent a significant leap forward in IoT technology, each tailored for distinct application domains. While both devices utilize ARM Cortex-M33 cores and share a range of common features, the nRF54H20 is specifically engineered for edge AI processing and high-performance wireless connectivity. In contrast, the nRF54L15 is finely tuned for ultra-low power consumption Bluetooth connectivity, making it ideal for mainstream IoT deployments where energy efficiency is critical.

Leveraging over six years of experience working with Nordic's platforms, and being Nordic's first Latin American Design Partner, Focus has gained unique early access to both the nRF54H20 and nRF54L15 SoCs ahead of their official release. This opportunity has provided our team with valuable hands-on experience and meaningful insights into the practical applications and comparative advantages of these innovative SoCs in real-world projects that we want to share with our followers.

Let's deep dive into the nuances of these two platforms!

nRF54H20: Enabling Next-Gen Edge AI and Advanced Connectivity

Nordic's nRF54H20 is described as a high-performance, multi-core wireless chip designed specifically for demanding next-generation applications. This "H" series device features multiple Arm Cortex-M33 processors running at up to 320 MHz, alongside specialized RISC-V coprocessors, delivering more than double the processing power of its predecessor, the nRF5340. With 2 MB of Flash memory and 1 MB of RAM, the nRF54H20 provides ample resources to handle computationally intensive tasks, such as sensor fusion and on-device ML/AI, enabling sophisticated edge computing with reduced latency and decreased dependence on cloud services.

Its multiprotocol 2.4 GHz radio supports Bluetooth LE, Thread, Matter, and Nordic's proprietary Enhanced ShockBurst (ESB) protocol (a highly beneficial yet often overlooked protocol for low-latency, high-throughput applications). Furthermore, the nRF54H20 includes advanced integrated peripherals like High-Speed USB and a CAN FD controller (a first for Nordic!), broadening its suitability for automotive, robotics, and industrial IoT applications.

At Focus, we view the nRF54H20 as transformative for demanding IoT scenarios, effectively combining robust processing power, versatile connectivity options, and strong security measures. We are currently implementing it in a communication module for an innovative micromobility solution, leveraging its CAN FD interface and dual-core architecture to manage real-time vehicle data and secure wireless communications.

nRF54L15: Successor to Nordic's IoT SoCs with Efficiency and Reliability

The Nordic nRF54L15 is designed as the successor to the widely used nRF52 series, emphasizing ultra-low-power wireless performance. The "L" series builds upon chips such as the nRF52840, doubling the processing power of the previous generation and significantly enhancing battery efficiency, as highlighted by Nordic.

Unlike its more powerful sibling, the nRF54L15 runs on a single Arm Cortex-M33 core at 128 MHz, twice the speed of the widely respected nRF52840. Thanks to a new 22 nm silicon process and targeted design optimizations, it achieves threefold energy efficiency improvements. With 1.5 MB of Flash memory and 256 KB RAM, it provides plenty of memory space for code and buffers, making it ideal for cost-sensitive, high-volume IoT applications.

In terms of wireless capability, the nRF54L15 also offers a multiprotocol Bluetooth 6.0 radio supporting BLE (including Bluetooth LE Audio and mesh), Thread, Zigbee, Matter, and ESB, matching the nRF54H20's connectivity features.

The nRF54L15 is particularly well-suited for next-generation Bluetooth Low Energy devices, including wearables, smart home sensors, fitness trackers, and industrial IoT nodes, thanks to its compact size, efficiency, and reliability. Nordic's signature low sleep currents are complemented by additional features such as a 14-bit ADC and an always-on low-power RTC, simplifying circuitry and extending battery life.

Our team is currently utilizing the nRF54L15 to update the design of Wonder Workshop's Dash robot, an educational platform aimed at STEM applications. Originally based on an nRF51-series chip, the upgrade to the nRF54L15 has significantly increased battery life and processing capabilities, revitalizing a decade-old product with new features and performance improvements.

From a developer's perspective, transitioning the legacy firmware from nRF5 SDK to The Zephyr Project's Zephyr OS, while preserving complex functionalities, was an insightful experience. Nordic's extensive technical support effectively streamlined this process.

What other vendors offer?

In recent months, Focus has developed a high-performance, video-based application that requires substantial processing power while also being cost-sensitive. In this scenario, we opted for the recently introduced ESP32-P4 from Espressif. This MCU features a dual-core, 32-bit RISC-V processor clocked at up to 400 MHz, around 1 MB of various types of RAM, and external Flash support. Unlike the nRF54H20, the ESP32-P4 targets image and video processing applications with features like a MIPI-CSI camera interface and hardware H.264 encoding accelerators. However, it lacks built-in wireless connectivity and thus depends on a companion ESP32-C6 coprocessor for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, resulting in higher power consumption but a lower overall bill of materials (BOM) cost.

The nRF54H20, on the other hand, stands out with integrated high-speed USB, CAN FD, multiple I3C, and TDM interfaces, along with native Zephyr OS support, which represents a significant advantage over Espressif, currently lacking Zephyr integration.

On the low-power front, our technical team has substantial experience with the Onsemi RSL10, renowned for its extremely low sleep current (40nA). Despite its exceptional efficiency, the challenging development experience due to its SDK complexities often deters designers. In comparison, the nRF54L15 offers a near-equivalent low-power performance with a considerably better development experience, making it highly attractive for similar low-power IoT applications.

Final Thoughts

The nRF54H20 and nRF54L15 address distinct segments of the IoT market, each tailored to specific application needs. The nRF54H20 is built for high-performance use cases that demand robust processing capabilities and rich connectivity options. In contrast, the nRF54L15 is optimized for energy-efficient, cost-sensitive deployments where low power consumption is critical. Together, these two SoCs significantly expand Nordic Semiconductor's portfolio, enabling solutions that span from advanced edge AI applications to large-scale, mainstream IoT products.

This strategic product pairing reinforces Nordic's leadership in the Bluetooth SoC market. By meeting the demands of both cutting-edge and ultra-low-power applications, Nordic continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in wireless IoT.

However, it's not just the hardware that sets Nordic apart; the developer experience is equally exceptional. With comprehensive, well-maintained SDKs, deep integration with Zephyr RTOS, and an active, responsive support ecosystem, Nordic empowers engineers to innovate and iterate with confidence. Their clear documentation, strong community presence, and forward-looking roadmap ensure a smooth, efficient, and scalable development process, making Nordic not just a chip supplier but a trusted partner in IoT innovation.