The SparkFun Thing Plus NINA-B306 is a compact embedded device optimized for portable and wireless applications. This product is enabled with BLE 5.0 connectivity and it features a MicroSD card slot, 6-DoF IMU, an Environmental sensor and LiPo battery management.

According to the datasheet, the NINA-B306 module integrates a Arm Cortex M4 with FPU, 1MB Flash and 256kB RAM. Additionally, the NINA-B306 features an internal PCB antenna from Proant AB with extensive range (~1400m).

  
NINA-B306 block diagram (left) and features (right)
(click images to enlarge)

The 6-DoF IMU is a System-in-Package from STMicroelectronics featuring a 3D digital accelerometer, a 3D digital gyroscope and a temperature sensor (~40 to 105 °C). The SiP features the following event-detection interrupts: Free-fall, Wakeup, 6D orientation, Click and double-click sensing, Activity/inactivity recognition and Stationary/Motion detection.

Top view (left) and bottom view (right)
(click images to enlarge)

The BME280 is a temperature (0°C to 65°C, ±1.0°C), barometric (300 to 1100 hPa, ±1 hPa) and humidity sensor (0 to 100% RH, ±3%) from BOSCH. The BME280 sensor and the 6-DoF IMU can be interfaced using I2C communication.

The MAX17048 is described as a 3μA 1-cell fuel gauge with Maxim’s ModelGauge to track the relative State-of-Charge of the LiPo battery. The device features the following configurable alert indicators: Low SOC, 1% Change in SOC, Battery Undervoltage/Overvoltage and VRESET Alert.

The SparkFun’s GitHub repository includes documentation, schematics and Arduino libraries for the BME280 sensor, IS330DHCX sensor and the MAX17048 fuel gauge.

SparkFun Thing Plus NINA-B306
(click image to enlarge)

Specification listed for the SparkFun Thing Plus NINA-B306:

• Storage:
  • 1x MicroSD card slot
• I/O Interfaces:
  • Up to 21x GPIOs
  • 6x Analog pins
  • 8x Digital pins
  • 4-pin JST Qwicc connector
• Sensors:
  • BME280 Environmental Sensor
  • ISM330DHCX 6DoF IMU
• USB:
  • 1x USB Type-C
• Other Features:
  • 2-pin JST LiPo battery connector
  • MC73831 Single-Cell LiPo Charger (500mA)
  • MAX17048 Single-Cell LiPo Fuel Gauge
  • 1x Reset button
  • 3x Status LED
• Power:
  • 3.3V DC (via USB Type-C)
• Mechanical:
  • 58.42 x 22.86mm
  • 2x Mounting holes

Further information

The SparkFun Thing Plus NINA-B306 is available for $89.95 on their online store.