Why MCU ATSAM3U2CA-AU is required if we select nRF52832-QFAA Bluetooth SoC which is having inbuilt ARM Cortex M4 MCU

[dineshk]

I'm Dinesh Katkar, trying to adapt new IoT design and development and planning to build wearable device based on nRF52832 Bluetooth SoC chip and ordered nRF52 Development Kit and nRF51822 beacon development Kit for learning purpose.But I would like to request you to suggest me that with inbuilt ARM Cortex M4 functionality I can do all communications functionality with smartphone Application or do we need separate MCU chip for the communication with Application on smartphone. Request you to answer me for the below question as I'm hardware design and willing to enter into the firmware design & development.

1. Why MCU ATSAM3U2CA-AU is used in nRF52 DK even if nRF52832-QFAA Bluetooth SoC which is having inbuilt ARM Cortex M4 MCU.

2. Do I need also to use MCU chip for my end application of wearable device?

Thanks and Warm Regards, Dinesh Katkar

[Øyvind Karlsen]

Hi,

On the development kit we have an interface MCU is used to program and debug the chip, this is not needed in a final design.

The cortex M4F processor is a powerful MCU that can do a wide range of tasks and is suited well for wearables. You must evaluate if the processing power is enoguh for your specific application.

Best regards,

Øyvind

[dineshk]

Dear Mr. Karlsen,

Thank you for your soonest feedback!!!

If I plan to use nRF52832 Bluetooth Soc chip in my end application,then how to do debug and programming for this Bluetooth SoC.Previously I though to use USB to UART bridge for debugging and programming but now thinking for wireless charging option,so I need your support for programming of the bluetooth chip. Could you please share the detail information or link for reading and getting know how to do application programming and programming of the Chip through Keil.

Appreciate the great support!!!

Thanks and Warm Regards Dinesh Katkar

[Øyvind Karlsen]

Hi,

You can use the SWD interface onboard the nRF52 DK to program an external nRF52 device. You can find more information in this blogpost, the video in particular is very useful.

Best regards,

Øyvind