Bluetooth testing of BT840 with nRF52840

[Abraham_13]

Hi all,

I need to set up the system for the Bluetooth testing (CE and SIG listing) of a custom board using the BT840 from Fanstel (BTLE). So far, I have been told that it has to be done with the nRF52840 development kit from nordic. 

After reading through the documentation of the DK, I assume that the system should be set up as follows: 

• Laptop / nRFConnect: In order to select the freq/channels required for the tests.
• nRF52840: Bluetooth pairing with our custom board (with the BT840).
• Custom board: here the microcontroller has to be able to send the test mode commands, so that the component enters this required modes.

Most of the doubts appear at the last bullet, since I also think that the DTM is carried out connecting the DK to our board and sending the commands through wires. But here, also, I am not aware of where to go and find the answer.

I know I may be mistaken, but I do not know where to find the answer, so some guidance would be very helpful, thank you.

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

For bluetooth PHY related testing, you should use direct_test_mode.

For generic RF PHY related testing (ie. teleregulatory testing), you should use radio_test.

 

Most of the doubts appear at the last bullet, since I also think that the DTM is carried out connecting the DK to our board and sending the commands through wires. But here, also, I am not aware of where to go and find the answer.

DTM can be connected and tested using any UART adapter, on any nRF52840 board. The only requirement is that you have two GPIOs to connect to your uart adapter or dedicated BLE tester.

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[Abraham_13]

Hi,

Thank you for your time, but I still have some questions. 

For the regulatory tests, it is required the DTM and the radio test? For this, how is it managed the change between those modes? 

I mean, I have teh UART available, so I assume I have to connect the development kit to the BT840F with the UART, and then from the nordic nRF Connect, send the order to the development kit, thus making the DK send via UART the commands required? 

Kind regards,

Abraham

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi Abraham,

 

Abraham_13 said:

For the regulatory tests, it is required the DTM and the radio test? For this, how is it managed the change between those modes? 

"radio_test" is recommended for teleregulatory testing, ie. FCC/CE/etc.

Please note that bluetooth listing has different requirements, and will require that you load the direct_test_mode for qualification.

 

You switch between them by flashing the nRF.

Abraham_13 said:

I mean, I have teh UART available, so I assume I have to connect the development kit to the BT840F with the UART, and then from the nordic nRF Connect, send the order to the development kit, thus making the DK send via UART the commands required? 

If you have a custom board, what you need is a powered board, with 2 GPIOs for UART communication.

These 2 gpios needs to be connected to a UART receiver (any USB/UART converter will suffice)

 

Kind regards,

Håkon