Using Softdevice S332 (ANT+ & BLE) on an nRF 52832 is making me headache

[Flemming Jensen]

HI,

I am super confused about which direction to go forward...

I need example code and tool chain where I can build a

1) ble bootloader that supports the Nordic Semi DFU app (using S332)

2) being able to develop an app that both can send ANT+ packets and also bluetooth peripharal with S332 as softdevice

What is the way to go forward in your opinion?

nRF Connect 2.9? This makes me even more confused and I can only get the "hello world" and "bluetooth" quick examples to work.

I cant seem to be able to build examples from the SDK in VS Code with alle the extensions

BR Flemming

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi,

Assuming you already have a project with the nRF5 SDK.

1) ble bootloader that supports the Nordic Semi DFU app (using S332)

The nRF Connect SDK does not support DFU in the bootloader. In the nRF Connect SDK, the application has to do DFU.
If you want to use BLE directly from the bootloader, I suggest you stay with the nRF5 SDK.

2) being able to develop an app that both can send ANT+ packets and also bluetooth peripharal with S332 as softdevice

The nRF Connect SDK no longer uses softdevices in the same manner as the nRF5 SDK. See the nRF Connect SDK and nRF5 SDK statement for more info.

I cant seem to be able to build examples from the SDK in VS Code with alle the extensions

Nordic Developer Academy as an excellent place to start learning the nRF Connect SDK.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

[Flemming Jensen]

Hi, 

Yes I already have an application + bootloader written in Keil MDK 5 plus SDK 10 / 11 Softdevice S310 on a nRF51422

1) so you suggest staying with nRF5 SDK? Which toolchain? Which softdevice? (I need BLE and ANT+)

2) Do you have any examples using BLE and ANT+ with S332 on nRF52832

Still confused

[Flemming Jensen]

But thanks for your suggestions ;)

I will try and no the nRF5 17.1.0 SDK route

And I assume I works best with the supplied msi installer IAR compiler?

[Kenneth]

Hello,

If you are on the nRF51-series, the only and latest nRF5 SDK available is v12.3.0:
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/comp_matrix_nrf51/page/COMP/nrf51/nRF51422_nRF51822_ic_rev_sdk_sd_comp_matrix.html 

The supported IDE for nRF5 SDK v12.3.0 are listed here (make sure to use the specific version):
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/sdk_nrf5_v12.3.0/page/index_1.html 

If you want to go to the nRF52832, the supported nRF5 SDK and nRF Connect SDK are:
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/comp_matrix_nrf52832/page/COMP/nrf52832/ic_rev_sdk_sd_comp_matrix.html 

There is no ANT support for the nRF52832 in the nRF Connect SDK, so the latest then is nRF5 SDK v17.1.0:
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/sdk_nrf5_v17.1.0/page/index_1.html 

The Segger Embedded Studio is likely the easiest to use with the nRF5 SDK v17.1.0, make sure to use the release specified in the above release notes.

If you want to use the nRF Connect SDK to develop ANT products, then you can use nRF Connect SDK v2.7.0, but it will only work with the nRF5340 or nRF52840. Likely the nRF52840 might be the easiest suggestion if you are used with the nRF51-series already. To install ANT support in nRF Connect SDK you need to check out:
https://www.thisisant.com/APIassets/ANTnRFConnectDoc/doc/getting_started.html 

To get familiar with nRF Connect SDK check out:
https://academy.nordicsemi.com/ 

Kenneth

[Flemming Jensen]

Hi Kenneth, thanks for the brilliant answer and insight!!

So SDK 17.1.0 cannot be used with nrf51422 and S310?

But it would be a good idea to use SDK 17.1.0 for the nrf52832 with S332?

I only find a secure bootloader not an open ble bootloader in the examples - so maybe I should go with the secure one

So you recommend Segger Embedded Studio? I will try that

I am also a bit confused about a page on Nordic Semi - (cant find it right now)

Where you can download license files for BSD / Nordic for all tool chains??

Keil, IAR, GCC, CMake and so forth

What are these used for?

[Kenneth]

Flemming Jensen said:

So SDK 17.1.0 cannot be used with nrf51422 and S310?

Correct.

Flemming Jensen said:

But it would be a good idea to use SDK 17.1.0 for the nrf52832 with S332?

Yes, that will work well.

Flemming Jensen said:

Where you can download license files for BSD / Nordic for all tool chains??

I believe this guide will still work:
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ug_gsg_ses/page/UG/gsg/install_segger_tools.html 

Flemming Jensen said:

Keil, IAR, GCC, CMake and so forth

What are these used for?

These are the IDE's used for development, if you use SES (GCC) (Segger Embedded Studio) then the license should be free yes. 

https://kb.segger.com/How_to_get_a_free_commercial_license_for_Embedded_Studio 

https://kb.segger.com/Get_a_License_for_Nordic_Semiconductor_Devices 

https://license.segger.com/Nordic.cgi 

Kenneth