Nordic Thingy:53 IoT prototyping platform

Multi-protocol IoT prototyping platform

The Nordic Thingy:53™ is an easy-to-use IoT prototyping platform. It makes it possible to create prototypes and proofs-of-concept without building custom hardware. The Thingy:53 is built around the nRF5340 SoC, our flagship dual-core wireless SoC. The processing power and memory size of its dual Arm Cortex-M33 processors enables it to run embedded machine learning (ML) models directly on the device.

The nRF Edge Impulse app enables users to connect their Nordic Thingy:53 to their Edge Impulse studio account through a mobile device. It allows them to wirelessly transfer sensor data over Bluetooth LE to the mobile device and upload it to the cloud for training and download trained ML models to the Thingy:53 for deployment and inferencing. The app also acts as the GUI for viewing inferencing results from a running ML model.

The Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) radio allows updating firmware and communication over Bluetooth LE, and the radio also supports other protocols like Bluetooth mesh, Thread, Zigbee, and proprietary 2.4 GHz protocols. The Thread protocol compatibility also makes it a great choice when developing products for the new Matter ecosystem. Matter is a standardized application layer for connected home applications, using the Internet Protocol (IP) as the network layer. 

The Thingy:53 also includes many different integrated sensors, like environmental-, and color and light sensors, accelerometers, and a magnetometer, which all can be taken advantage of without additional hardware. It is powered by a rechargeable Li-Po battery that can be charged via USB-C. There is also an external 4-pin JST connector compatible with the Stemma/Qwiic/Grove standards for hardware accessories.

Every Thingy:53 comes pre-installed with the firmware to work with the nRF Edge Impulse app for iOS and Android. Also released with the Thingy:53 is the nRF Programmer app for updating the device firmware directly over the air from a mobile device.

 

Download PDFDownload Nordic Thingy:53 product brief [PDF]

Key features
  • Supports Bluetooth LE, Bluetooth mesh, Thread, Zigbee, Matter, proprietary 2.4 GHz, and NFC
  • Enabled for embedded machine learning (ML)
  • Environmental sensor for temperature, humidity, air quality and air pressure
  • Color and light sensor
  • Low-power accelerometer and inertial measurement unit (IMU)
  • High-quality MEMS microphone and buzzer
  • User-programmable buttons and RGB LED
  • Rechargeable Li-Po battery

Precompiled application firmware

Changelog:

2.7.0

Precompiled firmware based on nRF Connect SDK v2.7.0

Changelog:

  • All samples updated to nRF Connect SDK v2.7.0
  • Added Wi-Fi Thread Coexistence sample 

2.6.0

Precompiled firmware based on nRF Connect SDK version 2.6.0 

Changelog: 

  • Resolved compiler issue for the Matter Weather Station sample for Thingy:53 + nRF7002 EB 

2.5.0

Precompiled firmware based on nRF Connect SDK version 2.5.0 

Changelog: 

  • New Edge Impulse sample compatible with sampling data over Wi-Fi by adding the nRF7002 Expansion Board
  • New Matter Weather Station sample compatible with Matter over Wi-Fi by adding the nRF7002 Expansion Board
  • New Wi-Fi samples: Bluetooth LE coexistence, provisioning service, scan, shell and station, for use with the nRF7002 Expansion Board 
  • New Bosch BME68x sensor sample

2.4.2

Precompiled firmware based on nRF Connect SDK version 2.4.2 

Changelog: 

  • Includes updated sample firmware for Matter Weather Station and Zigbee Weather Station

2.4.0

Precompiled firmware based on nRF Connect SDK version 2.4.0 

Changelog: 

  • Thingy:53 now supports the Peripheral Status sample and Wi-Fi samples, additional hardware is required for Wi-Fi. 

2.3.0

Precompiled firmware from the nRF Connect SDK v2.3.0 release

Hardware  files

Selected version
1.1.0 Layout and BOM resources

Changelog:

1.1.0 Layout and BOM resources

  • Added RC filter to ADXL362 VDD input
  • Added DPDT switch (U16) to route GPIOs connected to nPM1100 CHG and ERR pins to P9 connector to support nRF7002 EB COEX interface.
  • Updated VM3011 revision from VM3011-U1 to VM3011AB 
  • Added closed solder bridges between nPM1100 ERR and CHG pins and connection to P9 connector
  • SB7 changed from open to closed solder bridge
  • Added UKCA, CE mark and FCC ID: 2ANPOTHINGY53 to silkscreen

1.0.0 Layout and BOM resources

  • Removed NL17SG32P5T5G (U16)
  • Changed Q3 and Q4 MPN from TSM250N02DCQ RFG Dual N-MOS to DMN1029UFDB-7 dual N-MOS
  • Added 0 Ohm resistor on SB7
  • Updated nRF21540 revision from GA0 to G00
  • Added 33k resistor(R6) between nRF5340 P1.12 and nRF21540 MODE pin.
  • Updated nPM1100 revision to nPM1100-CAAA-E0

0.8.0 Layout and BOM resources

Hardware layout files for the Thingy:53

CE Certification

Selected version
EU declaration of conformity

Changelog:

EU declaration of conformity

EU declaration of conformity

UK declaration of conformity

UK declaration of conformity