Cost estimation for nRF5x BT module & device in terms of qualification and listing.

[YILMAZ KIRCICEK]

Hi,

We intend to use nRF5x as main uC for our upcoming 4 new design. (diff. kind of measurement devices)

Instead of qualifiying each new device, we have intended to design a small Bluetooth module and using this in all 4 devices to reduce qualification cost.

[https://www.bluetooth.com/develop-with-bluetooth/qualification-listing/do-i-need-to-list-qualify-my-product]

According to link above; since we will use pre-qualified stack (unmodifable) we will skip the "Qualification Testing and Documentation" step.

Only "Product Listing and Declaration" step is required for us.

Our module with nRF5x will require RF-PHY. What is the cost for this test ?

We will pay $7500 for associate membership. Then $4000 for listing & declaration fee.

Then we are going to use this qualified and listed module in 4 different device design. Now we have to list & declare these 4 devices. Do we need to paid for each one or once for all ? Please consider the image below.

Also is there any other cost (excluding CE/FCC) that I could not foresee.

Regards.

Yılmaz K.

[Luis]

I really have no idea about this topic, I understood from your question that you were asking about RF certification process using a precertified HW module... But now, after reading it again, it looks like it has nothing to do with HW but you are asking about the BLE implementation certification? Do you know if the associate membership and listing and declaration fees are mandatory for every product that uses nRF5x BLE? I had no idea about this.

[YILMAZ KIRCICEK]

Dear Luis, As I learn, BlueTooth is patended technology and in every case one have to paid to able to use Bluetooth tech. and name/logo. BT implementation requires both SW and HW qualification, but using pre-qualified stack just eleminates protocol testing but RF-PHY test is still mondatory nearly in all cases. That is the focus of BT SIG. But as you know ceretification for CE/UL/FCC/CAS... still an other pre-request according to you market.

[Luis]

Thank you Yilmaz, I'm reading more about the subject. :)