Serial Bluetooth 4.0 BLE Module (HM10)

The HM-10 Bluetooth 4.0 BLE Serial Module is one of the most popular and reliable Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceivers for embedded electronics projects. Unlike older Bluetooth 2.0/2.1 modules (such as the HC-05 and HC-06), the HM-10 uses the modern Bluetooth 4.0 BLE standard, which means it can communicate directly with iPhones, iPads, and Android 4.3+ devices — no special pairing or developer accounts required.

This makes the HM-10 the go-to choice for any project that needs to talk to a smartphone or tablet, including custom mobile apps, MIT App Inventor projects, and even direct connections from Apple devices through CoreBluetooth APIs. The module provides TTL-level transparent data transfer, meaning whatever bytes you send on one side appear unchanged on the other — making integration with microcontrollers extremely simple.

The HM-10 can be configured as either a master or a slave device using a comprehensive set of AT commands, giving you full control over baud rate, device name, pairing PIN, role, advertising interval, and more. The default baud rate is 9600, 8N1, which is compatible right out of the box with Arduino's SoftwareSerial library. It comes with a built-in PCB antenna that provides reliable wireless coverage up to 60 meters in open environments.

Power management is a major strength of the HM-10 — its ultra-low standby current of just 400 µA to 800 µA makes it ideal for battery-powered, wearable, and IoT applications. The module accepts a wide input voltage range of 3.6V to 6V DC, with onboard regulation that protects the BLE chip from overvoltage. It also features a STATE pin for external LED status indication and a KEY pin for software control of module power.

Whether you're building a remote-controlled robot from your iPhone, a Bluetooth-enabled sensor logger, a smart home controller, a wearable health monitor, or an Arduino project that needs to talk to a mobile app, the HM-10 delivers reliable BLE performance in a compact, easy-to-integrate package.

Important: Power input must not exceed 6V — higher voltages can permanently damage the module.

Specifications

General

• Module Type: Bluetooth 4.0 BLE Serial Transceiver
• Model: HM-10
• Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 4.0 BLE (Low Energy)
• Antenna: Built-in PCB antenna
• Operating Range: Up to 60 meters (in open space)

Communication

• Interface: TTL Serial (UART)
• Default Baud Rate: 9600, 8N1
• Configurable Baud Rates: Via AT commands
• Data Transmission: Transparent (data passes through unchanged)
• Roles: Master or Slave (configurable)

Power

• Power Input: 3.6V – 6V DC (do not exceed 6V)
• Standby Current: 400 µA – 800 µA (ultra-low power)

Compatibility

• iPhone / iPad (iOS with Bluetooth 4.0+)
• Android 4.3 and above
• Arduino, ESP32, ESP8266, STM32, PIC, and other microcontrollers

Pin Definitions

• STATE: Bluetooth connection state output (can drive external LED)
• RXD: Receive data input
• TXD: Transmit data output
• GND: Power ground
• VCC: DC power input (3.3V – 6V)
• KEY: Power on/off control (1 = OFF, 0 / Open = ON)

Applications

• iOS and Android mobile app projects controlling Arduino-based devices wirelessly
• Remote-controlled robots and RC vehicles operated via smartphone
• Smart home automation for lights, fans, locks, and appliances
• Wireless sensor data logging to mobile devices and cloud platforms
• Wearable health and fitness devices with low power requirements
• IoT prototyping with smartphone-based control panels
• Educational STEM projects teaching wireless communication and mobile integration
• Bluetooth-enabled DIY drones and quadcopters
• Smart locks and access control systems activated by phone
• Custom Bluetooth game controllers for mobile gaming
• Wireless data dashboards in MIT App Inventor and Blynk projects
• Industrial sensor networks with mobile diagnostic tools
• Bluetooth weather stations and environmental monitors
• Indoor positioning and beacon applications using BLE advertising
• Remote firmware updates for embedded devices via smartphone
• DIY musical instruments and effects pedals controlled by mobile apps
• Pet trackers and asset tracking using BLE proximity
• Medical monitoring devices for hobby and educational research
• HID emulation projects (with appropriate firmware modifications)
• Custom keyboard and mouse interfaces for accessibility projects