nRF51840 versions

[Jyrkik]

Hello,

We've several active products utilizing nRF52840-QIAA. Recently it was realized that this version is not recommended for new designs anymore and apparently can be expected to be close to the end of it's life time. On the other hand it has been informed  that the "AA-F" versions will stay in production.

We're planning some HW updates to these active products of us anyhow and would therefore have a change to update the BT HW in the same time.

Now, the question is if the "AA-F" version is a direct replacement for "AA"?

Jyrki

[Elfving]

Hi Jyrki,

Recently it was realized that this version is not recommended for new designs anymore

This is true.

and apparently can be expected to be close to the end of it's life time.

This I am not so sure about. If you have any uncertainty regarding this, please ask your local regional sales manager about it, as he would know this better than I (or ask me for his contact details if you do not know how to contact him).

Now, the question is if the "AA-F" version is a direct replacement for "AA"?

Yes, it is.

We're planning some HW updates to these active products of us anyhow and would therefore have a change to update the BT HW in the same time.

I see. My understanding of this is that for new designs it is recommended to have a version of the SoC with the APPROTECT fix, which version F includes. This fix prevents unauthorized access to the SoC’s debug port, which would allow someone to read the registers of the SoC.

It sounds like a good idea to consider switching to the F version now that you are reworking the HW on your board, though it would also be understandable if you find that you do not need the APPROTECT fix, since what you are creating isn't necessarily considered a "new design" either.

I would recommend reading up on the APPROTECT fix, and consider it (there is some docs here and here), and note that we do recommend it.

Regards,

Elfving