Overview
The FireBeetle 328P is a compact, low-power microcontroller board from DFRobot's FireBeetle series, built for battery-powered and wearable IoT projects. This version pairs the familiar ATmega328P chip with a Dialog Bluetooth 4.1 (BLE) chip, giving you a full Arduino bluetooth module in a single board — no separate wireless module or extra wiring needed.
It's designed as a lower-power alternative to DFRobot's earlier Bluno series, aimed at projects where battery life matters as much as wireless connectivity — think wearables, sensor nodes, or any device that needs to run for extended periods without being plugged in.
Bluetooth Connectivity
This bluetooth module arduino board supports Bluetooth Low Energy 4.1, with a rated standby current of just 25µA and 70µA when interrupts are enabled — figures that make it one of the more power-efficient options for always-on Bluetooth projects. It supports point-to-point wireless programming, serial data transmission over Bluetooth, and can cascade up to 4 devices at once for projects needing multiple connected boards.
Power Management
Beyond its low power bluetooth standby mode, the board includes dual-interrupt wake functionality — the Bluetooth chip can wake the ATmega328P, and the ATmega328P can independently wake the Bluetooth chip, giving you flexibility over how your project manages power depending on which side of the board needs to respond first. It also supports USB charging and can run directly from a lithium battery, making it practical for fully portable builds.
Programming and Compatibility
The board programs through the standard Arduino IDE, using the same bootloader as an Arduino Pro or Pro Mini (ATmega328, 3.3V, 8MHz), so existing Arduino sketches and libraries generally carry over with minimal changes. It's also compatible with DFRobot's earlier Bluno series and supports the Arduino Bluetooth library for managing multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections.
Technical Specifications
- Processor: ATmega328P
- Bootloader: Arduino Pro/Pro Mini, ATmega328 (3.3V, 8MHz)
- Operating Voltage: 3.3V
- VCC I/O Voltage: 3.7V–5.5V
- Lithium Battery Voltage: 3.7V
- Bluetooth Data Rate: Up to 4KB/s (lower with more connected devices)
- Standby Current: 25µA (power down); 70µA (interrupt enabled)
- Max Discharge Current: 600mA (3.3V LDO output)
- Max Charge Current: 400mA
- Digital I/O: 14
- Analog I/O: 6
- Interfaces: 1× SPI, 1× I2C, 1× UART
- Interface Mode: 2.54mm pin/female header, solder-free by default
- Dimensions: 58 × 29 mm
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the FireBeetle 328P compatible with the standard Arduino IDE?
Yes, it uses the same bootloader as an Arduino Pro/Pro Mini (3.3V, 8MHz), so it programs directly through the Arduino IDE.
What makes this board different from a standard Arduino with a separate Bluetooth module?
The Bluetooth 4.1 (BLE) chip is built directly onto the board, so there's no separate module to wire up — and its standby current (25µA) is significantly lower than most add-on Bluetooth modules, which matters for battery-powered projects.
Can I power this board from a lithium battery?
Yes, it supports direct lithium battery power (3.7V) as well as USB charging, making it suitable for portable, battery-run projects.
How many FireBeetle boards can connect to each other over Bluetooth at once?
It supports Bluetooth 4.1 multi-device cascading of up to 4 boards, with data rate decreasing as more devices are connected.
Is this board compatible with DFRobot's Bluno series?
Yes, it's designed to be compatible with the Bluno series (BLE 4.0) while offering improved stability and lower power consumption.
Browse our full Arduino Boards & Shields collection for more compatible boards and accessories for your next Arduino bluetooth module project.