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border router using nrf52

Hi, we have the need to implement the border router functionality for 6loWPAN in our device using a nRF52840.

Essentially we need to replace the Raspberry Pi in your examples with our device having internet connectivity. The device has a custom RTOS - no Linux possible. Preferably all bluetooth related processing to be done in nRF chip, IPv6 routing however will be the device's job.

The client nodes would be smaller battery powered devices with same chip (we are looking for long range coded mode of operation). There is no need for mesh, but simple one to many connections. Bandwidth is not a concern, very small amount of data need to be transferred.

Is such a solution even possible using your chipset / SDK? Is it possible to have multiple L2CAP channels open at the same time to many devices (up to 10)? Which node should be in this case advertising (preferably BR since it has permanent power)?

Any example code?

Regards

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  • I'm still looking into this, but this is my answer right now.

    It should be possible, but we haven't implemented all the pieces.

    If my understanding is correct, you want to run IPSP router role and 6LoWPAN border router on the nRF52840. And then have some serialized interface controlling it from this other device of yours.

    Our SoftDevice supports Connection Oriented Channels with the Credit Based Flow Control Mode in the GAP central role, which is required by IPSP router role.

    We have an IPSP library that supports router role, and we have an example in the SDK using this, see the IPSP initator example. I'm trying to get some more information on how many connections this has been tested with, but I'll have to get back to you on that.

    We have not implemented 6LoWPAN border router, so this is something that you have to implement yourself.

    Also, currently only nRF52832 with S132 is supported. It should work on nRF52840 with S140, but it just hasn't been tested.

  • Hi Petter,

    I am trying to accomplish almost same as the original poster (Ales) - it's been three years, wondering what's changed that I can use today. Biggest difference/ improvement by far NCS, which gives us access to Zephyr's vast networking resources.

    Using nRF52833, the plan, simply put, is to allow mobile device/s (acting as border router, instead of RPi) to connect via BLE to nRF52833.

    Any recommendations you may have will be greatly appreciated. Also looks like "IPv6 Medium Interface library" that you referenced earlier, I can't find it in the current nRF5 v17.0.2. Would also like to get your recommendation if nRF5 or NCS (given resources, components available in those respective environments) would be preferred environment for implementing what I am looking to accomplish?

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  • Hi Petter,

    I am trying to accomplish almost same as the original poster (Ales) - it's been three years, wondering what's changed that I can use today. Biggest difference/ improvement by far NCS, which gives us access to Zephyr's vast networking resources.

    Using nRF52833, the plan, simply put, is to allow mobile device/s (acting as border router, instead of RPi) to connect via BLE to nRF52833.

    Any recommendations you may have will be greatly appreciated. Also looks like "IPv6 Medium Interface library" that you referenced earlier, I can't find it in the current nRF5 v17.0.2. Would also like to get your recommendation if nRF5 or NCS (given resources, components available in those respective environments) would be preferred environment for implementing what I am looking to accomplish?

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