Bluetooth Channel Sounding support on nRF54LM20B – feasibility and enablement steps

[Subhiksha]

Hello Nordic Team,

We are currently working with the nRF54LM20B device and would like to understand whether Bluetooth Channel Sounding is supported on this SoC.

Specifically, we would like clarification on the following points:

1. Is Bluetooth Channel Sounding (used for high‑accuracy ranging / direction finding) supported on the nRF54LM20B hardware?
2. If yes:
   • Which Bluetooth Core specification version and nRF Connect SDK version are required?
   • Is there any reference or sample application available that demonstrates Channel Sounding usage?

Thank you for your support.

Best regards,

Subhiksha

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi, 

• Is Bluetooth Channel Sounding (used for high‑accuracy ranging / direction finding) supported on the nRF54LM20B hardware?

Yes, see the https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/nRF54LM20B 

Which Bluetooth Core specification version and nRF Connect SDK version are required?

Channel Sounding was introduced in Bluetooth Core Specification v6.0. The nRF54L Series has official support for Channel Sounding, with a Bluetooth qualified host and controller available in nRF Connect SDK from v3.0.1 and onwards. See https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Wireless/Bluetooth-Low-Energy/Channel-Sounding 

Is there any reference or sample application available that demonstrates Channel Sounding usage?

See 

• Bluetooth: Channel Sounding Initiator with Ranging Requestor
• Bluetooth: Channel Sounding Reflector with Ranging Responder
• blog: Evaluating Bluetooth®︎ Channel Sounding with our open-source Android app on Google Pixel 10  

I would suggest you start from the latest NCS v3.3.0. 

Regards,
Amanda H.

[Subhiksha]

Hi Amanda,

Thank you for the clarification.

Acknowledged that Bluetooth Channel Sounding is supported on nRF54LM20B, with support available from NCS v3.0.1 onwards, and we’ll start our evaluation using NCS v3.3.0. We’ll begin with the shared Channel Sounding Initiator/Reflector samples.

We’ll reach out if we have further questions.

Best regards,
Subhiksha

[Subhiksha]

Hi Amanda,

We have a one more query regarding Bluetooth Direction Finding support on the nRF54LM20B.

Could you please confirm:

1. Whether Bluetooth Direction Finding is supported on nRF54LM20B hardware
2. The required Bluetooth Core specification version and nRF Connect SDK version
3. Any available sample/reference applications (Initiator/Reflector or Locator/Tag) to get started

Additionally, please advise if any external antenna or antenna switching requirements need to be considered for Direction Finding evaluation.

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Best regards,
Subhiksha

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi Subhiksha,

Subhiksha said:

Whether Bluetooth Direction Finding is supported on nRF54LM20B hardware

Yes, Bluetooth Direction Finding is supported on the nRF54LM20B, but it is currently at Experimental maturity level.  See https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/releases_and_maturity/software_maturity.html#bluetooth_features_support 

Please be aware that for the nRF54L Series (including nRF54LM20B), only the AoA (Angle of Arrival) transmitter role is supported. Full AoA/AoD receiver functionality is not indicated as supported.

Subhiksha said:

The required Bluetooth Core specification version and nRF Connect SDK version

Direction Finding was introduced in Bluetooth Core Specification 5.1. For NCS, please use the latest version v3.3.0 to support nRF54LM20 B.

Subhiksha said:

Any available sample/reference applications (Initiator/Reflector or Locator/Tag) to get started

See 

• Bluetooth: Direction finding connectionless beacon
• Bluetooth: Direction finding peripheral

The locator/receiver side samples (direction_finding_connectionless_rx, direction_finding_central) doesn't support nRF54L. 

Subhiksha said:

Additionally, please advise if any external antenna or antenna switching requirements need to be considered for Direction Finding evaluation.

An antenna matrix is required when operating in Angle of Departure (AoD) mode. Given that only the AoA transmitter role is confirmed for the nRF54L Series, you should primarily target AoA use cases. 

-Amanda H.