BLE-Dongle

PyJig BLE-Dongle

$--

SKU: PYJ-BLE-DNG-R1 · Revision 1

A programmable USB BLE development dongle built on Zephyr shell firmware. Use it for development and debugging — flash your own firmware, or pair it with the open-source Python companion library to talk to BLE devices from your tools, scripts, and test setups.

Buy dongle

Firmware, software, and hardware design files are all open source. Explore the repos on GitHub.

Covered by our 1-year warranty · see returns.

Why developers choose the BLE-Dongle

Programmable

Flash your own Zephyr firmware and repurpose the dongle for your workflow. The firmware is open source, so you own the build and can extend it.

Built for development & debugging

A host-side BLE interface meant for product development, debugging, and test. Plug it into USB and drive BLE from your computer — no separate debugger or logic analyzer chain required.

Python driver included

The BLE-Dongle-Python package gives your scripts a clean API over the BLE shell for scripting and automation, so test setups can be written in a language your team already knows.

Open source, end to end

Firmware (MIT), the Python driver (MIT), and the hardware design files (CERN Open Hardware License) are all on GitHub. Inspect everything, or build your own.

Based on Zephyr

Built on Zephyr's RTOS shell over BLE — a modern, widely adopted embedded foundation that's easy to flash, configure, and extend.

Development & evaluation hardware

Distributed as a development tool for engineers, not a finished consumer product. See the regulatory section below for its FCC classification.

Who it's for

The BLE-Dongle is a programmable USB BLE device used for development and debugging.

Development & evaluation hardware

Think of it like a Nordic PCA10059 USB dongle — a flexible, programmable BLE development tool you flash, script, and debug against while you bring up your own products. Because the firmware is Zephyr-based and the Python library is open source, you can adapt it to the exact workflow your team uses.

Who typically uses it

Hardware engineers
Firmware engineers
BLE developers
Test engineers
Manufacturing engineers
Companies developing BLE products
System integrators
Universities and labs

Not a finished consumer product

BLE-Dongle is development and evaluation hardware intended for product developers, software developers, and system integrators. It is not a finished consumer product.

Regulatory classification

Because it is a development and evaluation tool rather than a finished end product, the BLE-Dongle is not subject to FCC equipment certification or testing.

FCC 47 CFR § 2.803(c)(2)(iv)

The BLE-Dongle falls under the FCC's provisions for development equipment. Under 47 CFR § 2.803(c)(2)(iv), devices marketed and used for development, evaluation, and system integration by professional engineers are exempt from the equipment authorization requirement that applies to finished consumer products.

Development kit status

This product is distributed to qualified engineers and developers for product development, testing, and evaluation — the same model used by Nordic's PCA10059 and comparable vendor development kits. It is not offered to end consumers as a finished BLE product.

This summary is provided for general information. Final decisions about regulatory compliance should be confirmed with the FCC or qualified counsel.

Technical specifications

Role	Programmable USB BLE development and debugging dongle
Host connection	USB
Wireless	Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Firmware	Zephyr shell firmware — open source (MIT)
Software library	Python driver — open source (MIT)
Hardware design	Open source — CERN Open Hardware License
Power	USB powered
Regulatory class	Development / evaluation hardware — not subject to FCC certification (47 CFR § 2.803(c)(2)(iv))
Chip	--
Bluetooth version	--
Memory / flash	--
Dimensions	--
Certification	--

How it compares

The BLE-Dongle sits in the same working space as vendor BLE development dongles, but it is the only one of the three that is open source end to end.

Spec	PyJig BLE-Dongle	Nordic PCA10059	BleuIO Pro
Type	Open-source dev / evaluation dongle	Vendor development dongle	Commercial BLE USB dongle
Chip / SoC	--	nRF52840 (64 MHz Cortex-M4F)	Renesas DA14695 (96 MHz)
Bluetooth	--	BLE 5.x (nRF52840)	BLE 5.2 (1M / 2M PHY)
Memory	--	1 MB flash / 256 KB RAM	32 Mbit (4 MB) QSPI flash
Host interface	USB	USB 2.0 full-speed	USB (virtual serial)
Control interface	Python driver over BLE shell	nRF Connect for Desktop / nRFutil	AT commands + language libraries
Firmware	Open source (MIT)	Nordic SDK / Zephyr (source available)	Proprietary
Hardware design	Open source (CERN OHL)	Not open source	Not open source
Software	Open source (MIT)	nRF Connect suite	Libraries for Python / JS / C# / C
Regulatory	Dev / eval — FCC 47 CFR § 2.803(c)(2)(iv) exempt	Development board	CE, FCC, RoHS, REACH
Typical price	--	~$11	$35

Nordic and BleuIO figures are from their public product literature and are indicative. Entries marked -- for the BLE-Dongle will be filled as final hardware specifications are confirmed.

Components and source

The BLE-Dongle is made up of three open-source repositories: firmware, hardware design files, and a Python driver.

Firmware — BLE-Dongle-FW MIT License

Zephyr-based firmware for the dongle, centered around a shell interface over BLE. Build, flash, and configure the dongle as the foundation for your wireless test setups.

View on GitHub

Hardware — BLE-Dongle-HW CERN Open Hardware License

PCB and mechanical design files for the dongle, released under the CERN Open Hardware License. Schematic, layout, and manufacturing files for building or adapting your own units.

View on GitHub

Python driver — BLE-Dongle-Python MIT License

A companion Python package that talks to the dongle, giving your scripts a clean API over the BLE shell. Designed to slot into PyJig and your existing hardware tooling.

View on GitHub

Get in touch

Interested in using the BLE-Dongle or contributing? We'd love to hear from you.

Contact us