nRF5 SDK for Mesh example with Segger Embedded Studio first time setup

[Tirth_S]

Hello,
Currently i am working on ble mesh and specifically on different nodes implementation, Proxy node, LPN node, Friend node.
But when i am starting to implement and testing ble mesh with different nodes, then i am stuck in basic setup of nrfmesh sdk with segger embedded studio,
also i trying to finding complete guide but the conversation is 5-6 years old and the attch link of technical documents are expired.

So, please give me complete guide of nrfblemesh with SES setup with basic example implementation like light_switch.

Thanks in advance. 

[Lorenzo Amicucci]

Segger embedded studio is no longer supported for nRF Connect SDK (deprecated a while ago). Only VS Code or command line can be used out of the box with nRF Connect SDK. Nordic provide the Toolchain Manager for complete easy installation.
 
In general, we don't recommend customers to start new projects on old nRF 5 SDK for BT mesh. Old nRF 5 SDK BT Mesh stack lacks many features, which instead are available on nRF Connect SDK.

Nordic is adding/supporting features for BT Mesh only in nRF Connect SDK, hence this is the recommended sdk and toolchain.

VS Code is free and we have Free courses on how to use it. https://academy.nordicsemi.com/courses/nrf-connect-sdk-fundamentals/ 

I suggest to use nRF Connect SDK  (VS Code or command line) for BT Mesh or to reach out to the local Sales Manager in India for further commercial discussions: https://www.nordicsemi.com/About-us/Contact-Us 

[Edvin]

Hello,

Tirth_S said:

then i start learning mesh and in that i read that for ble mesh implementation 'nrfsdkformesh' is required.

So the question is, do you need to use nrfsdkformesh because you read it in some old guide, or is that a requirement from elsewhere?

also i trying to finding complete guide but the conversation is 5-6 years old and the attch link of technical documents are expired.

That is probably true, but this is because the nRF SDK for Mesh is 5-6 years old. I'll try to summarize:

Back in the days, we used to have a standard SDK called nRF5 SDK, which contained all our normal peripheral samples and Bluetooth Low Energy samples. Then we had some addon SDKs, such as the nRF5 SDK for Mesh, which you would need in addition to the nRF5 SDK to build the mesh example applications. This will still work, and all of the features that you request are also present in the nRF5 SDK (but I must admit it has been a long time since I used it). I see that there is an LPN example found in nrf5SDKforMesh\examples\lpn, and you can read about it here:

https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/nrf5_sdk_mesh/page/md_examples_lpn_README.html

I also don't remember how, but the proxy functionality is available in the nRF5SDK, but not at the same time as being a friend node for a low power node. That is a limitation.

Also, the bootloader in the nRF5 SDK for Mesh is not the standardized Bluetooth Mesh bootloader, using the official Bluetooth Mesh protocol. The Mesh bootloader in NCS is standard. 

So my question is: From where is your requirement to use the nRF5 SDK for Mesh? Is it because of something you read while trying to find support for Mesh, or is it something else?

NB: to use the nRF5 SDK for Mesh, you need to use an older version of Segger Embedded Studio. Please try to use v5.64, as this is the one that was tested with the SDK. I know that versions 6.00 and newer are not working with the nRF5 SDK for Mesh (or any of the nRF5 SDKs).

Please note that no new features or updates are being provided to the nRF5 SDK for Mesh (since the last version was released in 2018? 2019?). I recommend that you consider going with NCS if you start your development at this point in time. No Mesh v1.1 features will be added to the nRF5 SDK for Mesh (such as standardized Mesh DFU). 

Best regards,

Edvin

[Tirth_S]

Thanks for valuable reply Edvin,

Edvin said:

So the question is, do you need to use nrfsdkformesh because you read it in some old guide, or is that a requirement from elsewhere?

I need nrfsdkformesh because i am working on ble mesh different nodes and from different node i implement relay node from nrf sdk but for implement proxy, friend and lpn node i need nrfsdkformesh, because in that lpn, friend and proxy node example available which no in nrf sdk.
As per my understanding.

As per your guidance currently i ma trying segger embedded studio version 5.64 with nrfsdkformesh and then reach out to you.

Thanks again   

[Tirth_S]

Hello Edvin,

I just try segger embedded studio version 5.64 with nrfsdkformesh version 5.0.0.
I tell you my step by step process,
I have nrf52832 custom boards, on which i am testing different nodes, 
firstly i open file from this location, 
C:\nrf5sdkformeshv500src\examples\light_switch\server\light_switch_server_nrf52832_xxAA_s132_7_2_0

in segger embedded studio 5.64 then click on build which show me the error message, which i attach here,
also i notice that main.c and sdk_config.h file in application folder, 
 
 

Please guide me how i solve this error and guide me for segger embedded studio setup also which compatible with nrfsdkformesh.
Also, i try link which you given in upper chart and adding global macro of the nrf sdk as guide in this doc
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/nrf5_sdk_mesh/page/md_doc_getting_started_how_to_build.html#how_to_build_segger

I add global macros like this:
SDK_ROOT=<C:\nrf5sdkformeshv500src\bin>
if i am wrong then please suggest me correct method.

but still facing same issue which mention above.

Please guide me. 

[Edvin]

Hello,

So you currently don't have any other devices using the nRF5 SDK for Mesh?

I would say that while it is still available for download, we highly recommend not to use this for new devices. As mentioned, it is deprecated, and no new features are added to this SDK. In addition, we don't really have the possibility to help you with the implementation, because we don't have anyone currently familiar with this. 

The reason boards.h is not found is because you need to keep a copy of the "normal" nRF5 SDK: "nRF5_SDK_17.0.2_d674dde" in the same folder as your nRF5 SDK for Mesh. You can see from the include directories that this is where it is looking:

But again, I must stress that from the point where you are able to build the example, I don't know how to configure friend nodes, proxy nodes in the nRF5 SDK for Mesh.

Looking at NCS, you will find all our Mesh samples in NCS\nrf\samples\bluetooth\mesh. Also see the sample descriptions here:

https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/samples/mesh.html

In NCS, all samples are proxy nodes by default. For simplicity, I suggest you start using NCS v2.6.X. For the nRF52 series and Mesh, there is really no added functionality in the later NCS versions, but some of our tools are lagging a bit behind. So use the v2.6.3, for example.

The light switch sample in NCS will also demonstrate how you can enter Low Power Mode. As long as there is a friend node (e.g. another device running the Mesh Light sample), you can enter low power mode by pressing button 4 on the DK. 

Other helpful tools are the nRF Mesh app for iOS or Android. You can use this as a provisioner, to set up a Mesh network, and add new nodes. This app uses BLE and connects to a node using the proxy feature, and handles everything through that.

Best regards,

Edvin