The CC2531 dongle is mostly compatible with CC2530. Therefore, you may use the corresponding firmware, but the USB interface will not work. You can only use it as a power source.

This dongle is a good start point for small DIY projects because it already contains two LEDs and two buttons. The IO connector allows you to connect one or two external sensors.

CC2531 dongle
CC2531 dongle pinout

The basic configuration for this dongle is shown below. In this example, the S2 button controls the Red LED indicator (on/off). The S1 button controls P02 on the IO connector. The Green LED works as a status LED.

Of course, you may adjust other settings:

  • Disable the status LED or change its mode.
  • Change the default reporting interval on the “Expert” tab.
  • Add an external sensor.
Router firmware for CC2531

Comments
Harvey Specter
Posted at 09:49 June 19, 2021
Tobias
Reply
Author

The CC2531 dongle connects after flashing, but I always seem to have to push one of the buttons for it to boot after powering it. Is that intended? What do I have to change so that it starts automatically when powered on?

    Harvey Specter
    Posted at 09:20 June 20, 2021
    Owner
    Reply
    Author

    Hello. It is strange behavior. The device should start automatically.

    Harvey Specter
    Posted at 11:34 August 8, 2021
    Franz
    Reply
    Author

    On serveral cc2531 dongles I experienced similar things, not booting, even though there was power (also with tuneable external power supply, lowest voltage working via usb was 3v but led quite dim then). On the current stick it only worked 1 out of 10 tries. Sometimes dabing the probe with the power helped, but did not look like a soldering hardware issue, played with the power on an independet place. The same hex worked on another stick 2 out of 3. In the firmware configurator I had only selected CC2530 (since I only use usb for power anyway), but now I have switched to “CC2530 (without external oscillator, like ??2531 or Sonoff Basic ZBR3)” and everytime I’ve given it power it has started up (checking with the light) so far.

    Great piece of code by the way, I use it to connect several DS18B20s per stick to IOBroker.

Harvey Specter
Posted at 21:09 March 23, 2021
Damian
Reply
Author

Can I use vcc (3v or 5v) and gnd for external sensors with CC2531? Can I use vdd and gnd from debug connector when powering from USB?

    Harvey Specter
    Posted at 03:46 March 24, 2021
    Owner
    Reply
    Author

    1. You should check a datasheet for your sensors. Some sensors may have a 5V power source, but data lines will have 3.3V.
    2. Again, it depends on your debug connect. The standard CC debugger outputs 3.3V.

      Harvey Specter
      Posted at 07:53 March 24, 2021
      Damian
      Reply
      Author

      Thanks, but there is no pinout for vcc or gnd in CC2531?

        Harvey Specter
        Posted at 08:36 March 24, 2021
        Owner
        Reply
        Author

        From debugger or external power source: VDD pin, 3.3V
        From the USB connector: 5V.

Leave a Reply