SPARK Microsystems has paired its low-energy ultra-wideband technology with Nordic Semiconductor’s newest Bluetooth system-on-chip to target high-performance gaming mice.
- The partnership pairs the SPARK SR1120 LE-UWB radio with the Nordic nRF54LM20 Bluetooth Low Energy SoC.
- Target applications include low-latency battery-powered peripherals like game controllers and wireless 8k-polling mice.
- SPARK is showcasing the reference design at the electronica 2026 conference in Munich.
Ultra-low-power wireless communication specialist SPARK Microsystems announced a platform design that pairs its SR1120 Low-Energy Ultra Wideband technology with Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF54LM20 Bluetooth Low Energy system-on-chip.
The platform combines Nordic’s nRF54LM20 system-on-chip with a SPARK SR1120. This delivers Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity and SPARK’s proprietary LE-UWB simultaneously through dedicated radios.
The latter technology has already been deployed in SteelSeries’ Sensei Pro and Rival Pro gaming mice. It delivers a lag-free connection at an 8,000Hz polling rate.
Meanwhile, the Nordic chip offers a multi-protocol 2.4GHz with BLE, IEEE 802.15.4, and proprietary modes. It features a single Arm Cortex-M33 core running at up to 128MHz, 512kB of static RAM, 2,036kB of non-volatile memory, and a low-power RISC-V coprocessor running at up to 128MHz.
“Nordic Semiconductor equips device manufacturers with leading-edge Bluetooth LE and MCUs to push performance profiles to new heights. This is where LE-UWB shines,” Fares Mubarak, chief executive officer of SPARK Microsystems, told Hackster.io regarding the partnership.
“Leveraging Nordic’s industry-leading application expertise and leadership in Bluetooth wireless enablement, our collaboration expedites time to market for manufacturers seeking connectivity options that unleash gamer performance,” Mubarak said.
“The nRF54 Series of SoCs exemplifies Nordic’s leadership as a de facto standard for high-performance wireless devices. LE-UWB connectivity from SPARK is a natural complement to enhance the gaming experience,” Øyvind Strøm, executive vice president for short-range devices at Nordic, told Hackster.io.
“Designers and manufacturers seeking the fastest path to powerful performance count on Nordic for innovations like these to differentiate gaming platforms in a competitive market,” Strøm said.
| Platform Component | Technology Provider | Key Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Radio | SPARK Microsystems | SR1120 LE-UWB, 8,000Hz polling rate |
| System-on-Chip | Nordic Semiconductor | nRF54LM20, Arm Cortex-M33 (128MHz) |
| Memory Architecture | Nordic Semiconductor | 512kB SRAM, 2,036kB non-volatile memory |
| Coprocessor | Nordic Semiconductor | Low-power RISC-V (up to 128MHz) |
SPARK Microsystems is showcasing a reference gaming mouse design in Hall C3 Booth #178 at electronica 2026 in Munich this week. The company said that the platform is currently being evaluated by leading gaming peripheral manufacturers.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
