BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Johnnywen — Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:37:49 GMT

Hi Kenneth,

There is nothing preventing you from doing the same approach as for DTM:
https://nrfconnectdocs.nordicsemi.com/pdf/nan_34/nan_34.pdf

==> Actually, we have always conducted BLE OTA testing using DTM mode before,

but for now, we do not want to use this approach any more as it need an UART connection, and prefer to that wireless approach such like by BLE connection.

BTW, with the esp32 solution from Expressif, it can work well with CMW500 based on BLE connection approach to do BLE OTA testing. FYI.

Thanks.

Wen Jun

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Kenneth — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 11:58:46 GMT

There is nothing preventing you from doing the same approach as for DTM:
https://nrfconnectdocs.nordicsemi.com/pdf/nan_34/nan_34.pdf

But instead of running DTM you simply check that the link is able to maintain in the same setup.

In terms of R&S, the correct behaviour of the CMW500 could be to use the ATT read request packet to read handle 0. This would always trigger a response and does not break any BT spec.

Kenneth

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Johnnywen — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:31:59 GMT

Hi Kenneth,

I see, but how do Nordic handle the request like doing BLE OTA testing based on BLE connection not by DTM mode?

And R&S have already discussed it with Nordic team, not sure if Nordic and R&S go on same page for this issue?

I believe you could agree that this function is very useful for application vendors wherever it can be implemented in soft device or on app layer.

Many thanks

Wen Jun

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Kenneth — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:44:38 GMT

I am going to be honest, the chances of doing any changes to the nR5 SDK (unless it's related to security) is not going to happen.

Kenneth

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Johnnywen — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:22:54 GMT

Hi Kenneth,

OK, looking forward to your comment,

Thanks.

Wen Jun

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Kenneth — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:13:28 GMT

Hello,

The input have been forwarded, if I hear anything back I will let you know.

Kenneth

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Johnnywen — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:33:21 GMT

Hi Kenneth,

Thanks for your information.

Actually, we have already checked it with R&S several months ago,

Here I would like to put their comments for your reference.

Looks like they already discussed it with Nordic team and not sure if you have the same page for this issue?

As it is not possible to implement it on app layer as you said, if Nordic can make any change in soft device for it as I believe many vendors have this request like doing BLE OTA testing not by DTM mode but BLE connection.

Could you please help double check it?

Many thanks.

==> Comments from R&S for your reference,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The 'Connection mode' measurement on the CMW platform uses the LL_Feature_Req/Rsp as the mechanism to perform receiver (PER) measurements.
So, we are using this measurement mode as a way of allowing customers to test RF performance OTA.
However, in order to allow this mode of operation to work means ‘bending the rules’ of the Core Specification – I.e. it has been done by design and not by accident.

If we didn't do this then the measurement would not be possible.

Other devices don't have a issue with this approach.

We have already discussed it with the Nordic engineering team

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RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Kenneth — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 11:23:51 GMT

Hello,

It's not possible for the application to override this, the problem in this case is that Rohde & Schwarz are violation of BT core spec, from volume 6, Part B, chapter 5 it says:

"only one Link Layer control procedure shall be initiated in the Link Layer at a time per connection per device. A new Link Layer control procedure shall not be initiated until any previous Link Layer control procedure initiated by the same device on the same connection has completed."

You should reach out to Rohde & Schwarz and ask them to change their test, it is possible to do this other ways than violation of spec, but it must be implemented by Rohde & Schwarz.

Kenneth

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Johnnywen — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:25:37 GMT

Hi Kenneth,

As I mentioned, we are checking this issue in ticket 352770

And Nordic engineer request to create a new ticket for it,

If Nordic can not make change in soft device , is it possible Nordic help to give some instruction for how to implement it on app layer, as I believe our request is very useful for vendors based on nRF52840 to develop product and so have a request for BLE OTA testing(not based on DTM mode but BLE connection)

Thanks.

Wen Jun

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Kenneth — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:54:22 GMT

I can see you are working on the nRF5 SDK, unfortunately I think it's unlikely we will do changes at this time in the softdevice controller that allow what you request. If you are already in contact with Nordic in other ways (e.g. e-mail or teams) then I suggest you continue discussion there.

Kenneth

RE: BLE OTA by BLE connection not by DTM mode

Johnnywen — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:21:37 GMT

I would like to give some more information, what I mentioned is BLE OTA testing,that is, RF performance testing, not means DFU, thanks.