Using custom BLE image on nRF52840 Dongle with Softdevice API on PC?

[Andreas Schurz]

Hi,

according to my system architect it should be possible to use a standard https://github.com/NordicSemiconductor/pc-ble-driver on the nRF52840 Dongle for implementing a BLE CDC on the dongle just by adjusting the relevant windows code.

What we want to achieve on the dongle:

Connect dongle to a PC, connect multiple devices (mobile phones) via BLE to the dongle

Provide a BLE Service with 2 characteristics

1. Read incoming string data with variable length from BLE connected device (mobile phone) and forward it to USB COM port, so that we can read it with a 3rd party software from the USB COM port.

2. Read incoming string data with variable length from USB COM port (3rd party writes to USB COM port), notify and forward it to connected BLE device (mobile phone)

This should be achievable by installation of a ready-to-use image on the dongle and all programming should be done on the windows side then. So that the dongle implementation must be never touched again.

Question:

Is this (still) possible? What is the latest solution on how to implement this?

I am aware that the pc-ble-driver is deprecated.

As already stated the idea is to update the device implementation without flashing the device.

If communication via USB COM is not possible this could also be handled within our Windows Softdevice API Application. USB COM would be more flexible.

Many thanks in advance.

Regards, Andreas

[Andreas Schurz]

Thanks for the response. That makes it all clear. We're planning to use a custom HW rather than the Dongle later, because the missing bridge is making it somehow more complicated. Therefore I will just develop it on a development board using the UART-to-USB bridge in the first step.

[Vidar Berg]

A development board is much more suited for development since it comes with an onboard Jlink debugger, so it is a good idea to use that. If you get a nRF52840 DK, you can use the second USB port on the side of the board if you later want to test the nRF USB, unless you plan to use a UART-to-USB bridge on your custom board as well.