Which Nordic chip should we use ?

[Bndit]

We have to pick a BLE very quickly , and up till now we used to work with modules which are expensive in mass but easy to work with (e.g RN4020)

I am looking for a chip with a VERY fast learning curve, that does not requires firmware flashing. It only has to be able to accept data as peripheral from mobile, and connect with an ARM processor ( such as SAMD21,etc).

1. I can see that the 8001 is such an option, is it going to stay alive and not becoming obsolete ? is it too old to start with it now ? seems that everyone already using the new one .
2. If so, what would be the most minimal circuit (link) for 8001 that we can use? something such as Adafruit module? (it seems to require too many components around) learn.adafruit.com/.../downloads

Any good new alternatives with high learning curve and no firmware flash required ? Thank you !

[awneil]

What you're describing is often called a "Network Co-Processor" or NCP.

Many manufacturers make such chips - but, obviously, the Nordic Semiconductor site is not the place to promote competitor's products! (although, as you're using an Atmel processor, I guess I could mention that Atmel do have such chips...)

There are many modules based on Nordic chips - no doubt some of these can be used as an NCP?

Many are listed here: www.nordicsemi.com/.../3rd-Party-Bluetooth-low-energy-Modules

Although it's true that you don't load any firmware into the nRF8001 itself, you will still have to do a significant amount of firmware work in the "Host" microcontroller to drive it.

There is an Arduino SDK:

github.com/.../ble-sdk-arduino

You would have to port this you your "Host" microcontroller, and then write the "application" code around that...

[Bndit]

Thanks very much for your answer, well I still did not get what I needed :) First I came here obviously to pick a Nordic chip , second, I don't want a module, i want a chip that will be on our custom pcb . So the question remains, should we use the 8001 ? will it become obsolete? is it too old? if we should, what would be a minimal circuit for it? what about the 51822 ?

[awneil]

The emphasis in your OP seemed to be on the "No Firmware"?

Do you have the necessary RF design skills to use a bare chip?

For "roadmap" questions, you will need to contact your local nRF sales department.

[Bndit]

We are a company :) yes we have the skills to design the RF ( and its pretty easy to be honest ), and we explored all your chips deeply. Since we are going to a meeting with key investors, we needed a fast solution, and I am still trying to understand, if the 8001 is recommended as something that is going to have a long life or is there an option that you will stop making it. I can see here that almost everyone is using the 51822.

[awneil]

Note that most repsondents - me included - on this forum are not Nordic staff!

As I said, for "roadmap" questions - product lifecycles, etc - you need to contact Nordic direct

www.nordicsemi.com/.../Contact-us

[Bndit]

I see, thanks a lot :) btw, is the 8001 the only chip that does not require firmware? is there a new one like this to Nordic ?