Nordic Uart Example RX Reset and multiple Peripherals

[l.r.97]

Hello,
I currently use the uart-ble-central example with the 6.1.0 stack. I would like to make two changes.
1.) In the case of received data via Uart, the board jumps directly into the error case. Error 0x01 is stored in the error mask. Even after increasing the buffer size, this does not change. In addition, this case only occurs when the rx-pin is connected. The pure tx use works flawlessly.
2.) I would like to connect two peripherals with the central one. By adjusting the Counk_Links but no connection is possible.

Many thanks for your help.

[MartinBL]

1) Have you changed anything in the uart-ble-central example? Are you transmitting a lot of data via UART to the DK? What baud rates are you using? Have you tried enabling flow control?

2) I don't see any questions here? Do you have a problem? Maybe you can get some inspiration from the Central BLE Multi-link Example.

[l.r.97]

Hello I have solved the problem to the first question.

To the second question. I have integrated the code of the multilink into the uart central example. The project can be built without error. however, it is not possible to establish a connection to the peripheral devices on which no code change has been made. In the SDK-config, I set NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT and NRF_SDH_BLE_TOTAL_LINK_COUNT to 8, respectively. I have adjusted the main following.

/**
* Copyright (c) 2016 - 2018, Nordic Semiconductor ASA
*
* All rights reserved.
*
* Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
* are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
*
* 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
* list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
*
* 2. Redistributions in binary form, except as embedded into a Nordic
* Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit in a product or a software update for
* such product, must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of
* conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
* materials provided with the distribution.
*
* 3. Neither the name of Nordic Semiconductor ASA nor the names of its
* contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this
* software without specific prior written permission.
*
* 4. This software, with or without modification, must only be used with a
* Nordic Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit.
*
* 5. Any software provided in binary form under this license must not be reverse
* engineered, decompiled, modified and/or disassembled.
*
* THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS
* OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
* OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
* DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
* LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
* CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE
* GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
* HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
* LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
* OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
*
*/
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "nordic_common.h"
#include "app_error.h"
#include "app_uart.h"
#include "ble_db_discovery.h"
#include "app_timer.h"
#include "app_util.h"
#include "bsp_btn_ble.h"
#include "ble.h"
#include "ble_gap.h"
#include "ble_hci.h"
#include "nrf_sdh.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_ble.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_soc.h"
#include "ble_advdata.h"
#include "ble_nus_c.h"
#include "nrf_ble_gatt.h"
#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"
#include "nrf_drv_uart.h"
#include "nrf_log.h"
#include "nrf_log_ctrl.h"
#include "nrf_log_default_backends.h"
#include "nrf_ble_scan.h"


#define APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG 1 /**< A tag that refers to the BLE stack configuration we set with @ref sd_ble_cfg_set. Default tag is @ref BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG_DEFAULT. */
#define APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO 3 /**< Application's BLE observer priority. You shoulnd't need to modify this value. */

#define UART_TX_BUF_SIZE 1024 /**< UART TX buffer size. */
#define UART_RX_BUF_SIZE 1024 /**< UART RX buffer size. */

#define NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE BLE_UUID_TYPE_VENDOR_BEGIN /**< UUID type for the Nordic UART Service (vendor specific). */

#define SCAN_INTERVAL 0x00A0 /**< Determines scan interval in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_WINDOW 0x0050 /**< Determines scan window in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_DURATION 0x0000 /**< Timout when scanning. 0x0000 disables timeout. */

#define MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(20, UNIT_1_25_MS) /**< Determines minimum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(75, UNIT_1_25_MS) /**< Determines maximum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define SLAVE_LATENCY 0 /**< Determines slave latency in counts of connection events. */
#define SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT MSEC_TO_UNITS(4000, UNIT_10_MS) /**< Determines supervision time-out in units of 10 millisecond. */

#define ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA 1 /**< Echo the UART data that is received over the Nordic UART Service back to the sender. */


BLE_NUS_C_ARRAY_DEF(m_ble_nus_c, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT); /**< BLE NUS service client instance. */
NRF_BLE_GATT_DEF(m_gatt); /**< GATT module instance. */
BLE_DB_DISCOVERY_ARRAY_DEF(m_db_disc, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT); /**< Database discovery module instances. */
NRF_BLE_SCAN_DEF(m_scan);

static uint16_t m_ble_nus_max_data_len = BLE_GATT_ATT_MTU_DEFAULT - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH; /**< Maximum length of data (in bytes) that can be transmitted to the peer by the Nordic UART service module. */
static uint8_t data_array[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
static uint8_t data_crc[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event);
static char const m_target_periph_name[] = "Nordic_UART";

/**@brief Connection parameters requested for connection. */
static ble_gap_conn_params_t const m_connection_param =
{
(uint16_t)MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL, // Minimum connection
(uint16_t)MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL, // Maximum connection
(uint16_t)SLAVE_LATENCY, // Slave latency
(uint16_t)SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT // Supervision time-out
};

static uint8_t m_scan_buffer_data[BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN]; /**< buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */

/**@brief Pointer to the buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */
static ble_data_t m_scan_buffer =
{
m_scan_buffer_data,
BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN
};

/** @brief Parameters used when scanning. */
static ble_gap_scan_params_t const m_scan_params =
{
.active = 1,
.interval = SCAN_INTERVAL,
.window = SCAN_WINDOW,
.timeout = SCAN_DURATION,
.scan_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS,
.filter_policy = BLE_GAP_SCAN_FP_ACCEPT_ALL,
};

/**@brief NUS uuid. */
static ble_uuid_t const m_nus_uuid =
{
.uuid = BLE_UUID_NUS_SERVICE,
.type = NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE
};

static void scan_evt_handler(scan_evt_t const * p_scan_evt)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

switch(p_scan_evt->scan_evt_id)
{
case NRF_BLE_SCAN_EVT_CONNECTING_ERROR:
{
err_code = p_scan_evt->params.connecting_err.err_code;
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
} break;

default:
break;
}
}

static void scan_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code;
nrf_ble_scan_init_t init_scan;

memset(&init_scan, 0, sizeof(init_scan));

init_scan.connect_if_match = true;
init_scan.conn_cfg_tag = APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG;

err_code = nrf_ble_scan_init(&m_scan, &init_scan, scan_evt_handler);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filter_set(&m_scan, SCAN_NAME_FILTER, m_target_periph_name);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filters_enable(&m_scan, NRF_BLE_SCAN_NAME_FILTER, false);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}
/**@brief Function for asserts in the SoftDevice.
*
* @details This function will be called in case of an assert in the SoftDevice.
*
* @warning This handler is an example only and does not fit a final product. You need to analyze
* how your product is supposed to react in case of Assert.
* @warning On assert from the SoftDevice, the system can only recover on reset.
*
* @param[in] line_num Line number of the failing ASSERT call.
* @param[in] p_file_name File name of the failing ASSERT call.
*/
void assert_nrf_callback(uint16_t line_num, const uint8_t * p_file_name)
{
app_error_handler(0xDEADBEEF, line_num, p_file_name);
}


/**@brief Function to start scanning. */
static void scan_start(void)
{
ret_code_t ret;

NRF_LOG_INFO("Start scanning for device name %s.", (uint32_t)m_target_periph_name);
ret = nrf_ble_scan_start(&m_scan);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
// Turn on the LED to signal scanning.

}


/**@brief Function for handling database discovery events.
*
* @details This function is callback function to handle events from the database discovery module.
* Depending on the UUIDs that are discovered, this function should forward the events
* to their respective services.
*
* @param[in] p_event Pointer to the database discovery event.
*/
static void db_disc_handler(ble_db_discovery_evt_t * p_evt)
{
NRF_LOG_DEBUG("call to ble_lbs_on_db_disc_evt for instance %d and link 0x%x!",
p_evt->conn_handle,
p_evt->conn_handle);

ble_nus_c_on_db_disc_evt(&m_ble_nus_c[p_evt->conn_handle], p_evt);
}


/**@brief Function for handling characters received by the Nordic UART Service.
*
* @details This function takes a list of characters of length data_len and prints the characters out on UART.
* If @ref ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA is set, the data is sent back to sender.
*/
static uint32_t ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(uint8_t * p_data, uint16_t data_len)
{
ret_code_t ret_val;
uint8_t byte[1024] = {0};
uint32_t check = 0;

NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Receiving data.");
NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(p_data, data_len);


for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
{
do
{
ret_val = app_uart_put(p_data[i]);
if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
{
NRF_LOG_ERROR("app_uart_put failed for index 0x%04x.", i);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
}
} while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
}
if (p_data[data_len-1] == '\r')
{
while (app_uart_put('\n') == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
}
if (ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA)
{
// Send data back to peripheral.
do
{
ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(&m_ble_nus_c, p_data, data_len);
if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
{
NRF_LOG_ERROR("Failed sending NUS message. Error 0x%x. ", ret_val);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
}
} while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
}
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
{
byte[i] = p_data[i];
}
bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
return nrf_drv_uart_tx(&app_uart_inst,byte,data_len);

}


/**@brief Function for handling app_uart events.
*
* @details This function will receive a single character from the app_uart module and append it to
* a string. The string will be be sent over BLE when the last character received was a
* 'new line' '\n' (hex 0x0A) or if the string has reached the maximum data length.
*/
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event)
{

static uint16_t index = 0;
uint8_t rx_byte;
uint32_t ret_val;
uint32_t get_state;

switch (p_event->evt_type)
{
/**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
case APP_UART_DATA_READY:

do
{
get_state = app_uart_get(&rx_byte);
if(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS)
{
data_array[index] = rx_byte;
if( data_array[index] == 0x03 || index + 1 >= m_ble_nus_max_data_len )
{

bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Ready to send data over BLE NUS");
NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(data_array, index);

if(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle != BLE_CONN_HANDLE_INVALID)
{

do
{
ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(&m_ble_nus_c, data_array, index);
if(0)
{
APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);

}
} while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
}
index = 0;
}
else
{
index++;
if(index > sizeof(data_array))
{
index = 0;
}
}
}
}
while(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS);
break;

/**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
case APP_UART_COMMUNICATION_ERROR:
NRF_LOG_ERROR("Communication error occurred while handling UART.");
APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_communication);
break;

case APP_UART_FIFO_ERROR:
NRF_LOG_ERROR("Error occurred in FIFO module used by UART.");
APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_code);
break;

default:
break;
}
}


/**@brief Callback handling NUS Client events.
*
* @details This function is called to notify the application of NUS client events.
*
* @param[in] p_ble_nus_c NUS Client Handle. This identifies the NUS client
* @param[in] p_ble_nus_evt Pointer to the NUS Client event.
*/

/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */
static void ble_nus_c_evt_handler(ble_nus_c_t * p_ble_nus_c, ble_nus_c_evt_t const * p_ble_nus_evt)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

switch (p_ble_nus_evt->evt_type)
{
case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCOVERY_COMPLETE:
NRF_LOG_INFO("Discovery complete.");
err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(p_ble_nus_c, p_ble_nus_evt->conn_handle, &p_ble_nus_evt->handles);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

err_code = ble_nus_c_tx_notif_enable(p_ble_nus_c);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
NRF_LOG_INFO("Connected to device with Nordic UART Service.");
break;

case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_NUS_TX_EVT:
ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(p_ble_nus_evt->p_data, p_ble_nus_evt->data_len);
break;

case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCONNECTED:
NRF_LOG_INFO("Disconnected.");
scan_start();
break;
}
}
/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */


/**
* @brief Function for shutdown events.
*
* @param[in] event Shutdown type.
*/
static bool shutdown_handler(nrf_pwr_mgmt_evt_t event)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_IDLE);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

switch (event)
{
case NRF_PWR_MGMT_EVT_PREPARE_WAKEUP:
// Prepare wakeup buttons.
err_code = bsp_btn_ble_sleep_mode_prepare();
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
break;

default:
break;
}

return true;
}

NRF_PWR_MGMT_HANDLER_REGISTER(shutdown_handler, APP_SHUTDOWN_HANDLER_PRIORITY);


/**@brief Function for handling the advertising report BLE event.
*
* @param[in] p_adv_report Advertising report from the SoftDevice.
*/
static void on_adv_report(ble_gap_evt_adv_report_t const * p_adv_report)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

if (ble_advdata_uuid_find(p_adv_report->data.p_data, p_adv_report->data.len, &m_nus_uuid))
{
err_code = sd_ble_gap_connect(&p_adv_report->peer_addr,
&m_scan_params,
&m_connection_param,
APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG);

if (err_code == NRF_SUCCESS)
{
// scan is automatically stopped by the connect
err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_IDLE);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
NRF_LOG_INFO("Connecting to target %02x%02x%02x%02x%02x%02x",
p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[0],
p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[1],
p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[2],
p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[3],
p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[4],
p_adv_report->peer_addr.addr[5]
);
}
}
else
{
err_code = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL, &m_scan_buffer);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}
}


/**@brief Function for handling BLE events.
*
* @param[in] p_ble_evt Bluetooth stack event.
* @param[in] p_context Unused.
*/
static void ble_evt_handler(ble_evt_t const * p_ble_evt, void * p_context)
{
ret_code_t err_code;
ble_gap_evt_t const * p_gap_evt = &p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt;

switch (p_ble_evt->header.evt_id)
{
case BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT:
on_adv_report(&p_gap_evt->params.adv_report);
break; // BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT

case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONNECTED:
NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection 0x%x established, starting DB discovery.",
p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(&m_ble_nus_c[p_gap_evt->conn_handle], p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, NULL);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_CONNECTED);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(&m_db_disc[p_gap_evt->conn_handle],
p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
// start discovery of services. The NUS Client waits for a discovery result
err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(&m_db_disc, p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle);
if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_BUSY)
{
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}
break;

case BLE_GAP_EVT_TIMEOUT:
if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_SCAN)
{
NRF_LOG_INFO("Scan timed out.");
scan_start();
}
else if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_CONN)
{
NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection Request timed out.");
}
break;

case BLE_GAP_EVT_SEC_PARAMS_REQUEST:
// Pairing not supported
err_code = sd_ble_gap_sec_params_reply(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, BLE_GAP_SEC_STATUS_PAIRING_NOT_SUPP, NULL, NULL);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
break;

case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONN_PARAM_UPDATE_REQUEST:
// Accepting parameters requested by peer.
err_code = sd_ble_gap_conn_param_update(p_gap_evt->conn_handle,
&p_gap_evt->params.conn_param_update_request.conn_params);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
break;

case BLE_GAP_EVT_PHY_UPDATE_REQUEST:
{
NRF_LOG_DEBUG("PHY update request.");
ble_gap_phys_t const phys =
{
.rx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
.tx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
};
err_code = sd_ble_gap_phy_update(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, &phys);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
} break;

case BLE_GATTC_EVT_TIMEOUT:
// Disconnect on GATT Client timeout event.
NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Client Timeout.");
err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gattc_evt.conn_handle,
BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
break;

case BLE_GATTS_EVT_TIMEOUT:
// Disconnect on GATT Server timeout event.
NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Server Timeout.");
err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gatts_evt.conn_handle,
BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
break;

default:
break;
}
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the BLE stack.
*
* @details Initializes the SoftDevice and the BLE event interrupt.
*/
static void ble_stack_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

err_code = nrf_sdh_enable_request();
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

// Configure the BLE stack using the default settings.
// Fetch the start address of the application RAM.
uint32_t ram_start = 0;
err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_default_cfg_set(APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG, &ram_start);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

// Enable BLE stack.
err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_enable(&ram_start);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

// Register a handler for BLE events.
NRF_SDH_BLE_OBSERVER(m_ble_observer, APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO, ble_evt_handler, NULL);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the GATT library. */
void gatt_evt_handler(nrf_ble_gatt_t * p_gatt, nrf_ble_gatt_evt_t const * p_evt)
{
if (p_evt->evt_id == NRF_BLE_GATT_EVT_ATT_MTU_UPDATED)
{
NRF_LOG_INFO("ATT MTU exchange completed.");

m_ble_nus_max_data_len = p_evt->params.att_mtu_effective - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH;
NRF_LOG_INFO("Ble NUS max data length set to 0x%X(%d)", m_ble_nus_max_data_len, m_ble_nus_max_data_len);
}
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the GATT library. */
void gatt_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_init(&m_gatt, gatt_evt_handler);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_att_mtu_central_set(&m_gatt, NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the BSP module.
*
* @param[in] event Event generated by button press.
*/
void bsp_event_handler(bsp_event_t event)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

switch (event)
{
case BSP_EVENT_SLEEP:
nrf_pwr_mgmt_shutdown(NRF_PWR_MGMT_SHUTDOWN_GOTO_SYSOFF);
break;

case BSP_EVENT_DISCONNECT:
err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle,
BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_INVALID_STATE)
{
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}
break;

default:
break;
}
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the UART. */
static void uart_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code;

app_uart_comm_params_t const comm_params =
{
.rx_pin_no = RX_PIN_NUMBER,
.tx_pin_no = TX_PIN_NUMBER,
.rts_pin_no = RTS_PIN_NUMBER,
.cts_pin_no = CTS_PIN_NUMBER,
.flow_control = APP_UART_FLOW_CONTROL_DISABLED,
.use_parity = false,
.baud_rate = UART_BAUDRATE_BAUDRATE_Baud115200
};

APP_UART_FIFO_INIT(&comm_params,
UART_RX_BUF_SIZE,
UART_TX_BUF_SIZE,
uart_event_handle,
APP_IRQ_PRIORITY_LOWEST,
err_code);

APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the NUS Client. */
static void nus_c_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code;
ble_nus_c_init_t init;

init.evt_handler = ble_nus_c_evt_handler;

err_code = ble_nus_c_init(&m_ble_nus_c, &init);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing buttons and leds. */
static void buttons_leds_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code;
bsp_event_t startup_event;

err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_LEDS, bsp_event_handler);
err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_BUTTONS, bsp_event_handler);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

err_code = bsp_btn_ble_init(NULL, &startup_event);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the timer. */
static void timer_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code = app_timer_init();
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the nrf log module. */
static void log_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code = NRF_LOG_INIT(NULL);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

NRF_LOG_DEFAULT_BACKENDS_INIT();
}


/**@brief Function for initializing power management.
*/
static void power_management_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code;
err_code = nrf_pwr_mgmt_init();
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/** @brief Function for initializing the Database Discovery Module. */
static void db_discovery_init(void)
{
ret_code_t err_code = ble_db_discovery_init(db_disc_handler);
APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling the idle state (main loop).
*
* @details Handle any pending log operation(s), then sleep until the next event occurs.
*/
static void idle_state_handle(void)
{
if (NRF_LOG_PROCESS() == false)
{
nrf_pwr_mgmt_run();
}
}


int main(void)
{
// Initialize.
log_init();
timer_init();
uart_init();
buttons_leds_init();
db_discovery_init();
power_management_init();
ble_stack_init();
gatt_init();
nus_c_init();

// Start execution.
printf("BLE UART central example started.\r\n");
NRF_LOG_INFO("BLE UART central example started.");
scan_start();

// Enter main loop.
for (;;)
{
idle_state_handle();
}
}

For whatever reason, you can not establish a connection.
the debug terminal shows the following:

<warning> nrf_sdh_ble: Insufficient RAM allocated for the SoftDevice.
<warning> nrf_sdh_ble: Change the RAM start location from 0x200029E0 to 0x200086F8.
<warning> nrf_sdh_ble: Maximum RAM size for application is 0x37908.
<error> nrf_sdh_ble: sd_ble_enable() returned NRF_ERROR_NO_MEM.
<error> app: Fatal error

[MartinBL]

Why are you not calling scan_init() in your code? The Scanning Module must be initialized. 

Make sure to enable the DEBUG flag and compile your code with optimization set to O0. That way the Error module will print out more informative messages and it will be easier to debug. When you see messages like the one above you should search for the function name in our infocenter and see what kind of errors the function returns and what it means. You can also search for the function names and/or error codes or here on devzone and you will most likely find other relevant cases. 

[l.r.97]

I have called following the scan initialization function after all other initialization functions. The optimizations were already set to zero. The debug flag was also already set. And solved the emerging error. Well started scanning, but no connection can be established. Since neither an error nor a warning is displayed, I now miss the starting point for further troubleshooting. Do you have another idea? 

[l.r.97]

The Sniff shows the following result. So the central really starts scanning. 

[MartinBL]

Hi,

Have you made any progress? Can you upload the latest version of your code?

[l.r.97]

/**
 * Copyright (c) 2016 - 2018, Nordic Semiconductor ASA
 * 
 * All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
 * are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
 * 
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
 *    list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 * 
 * 2. Redistributions in binary form, except as embedded into a Nordic
 *    Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit in a product or a software update for
 *    such product, must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of
 *    conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
 *    materials provided with the distribution.
 * 
 * 3. Neither the name of Nordic Semiconductor ASA nor the names of its
 *    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this
 *    software without specific prior written permission.
 * 
 * 4. This software, with or without modification, must only be used with a
 *    Nordic Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit.
 * 
 * 5. Any software provided in binary form under this license must not be reverse
 *    engineered, decompiled, modified and/or disassembled.
 * 
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS
 * OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
 * OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
 * DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
 * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
 * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE
 * GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
 * HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
 * LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
 * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 * 
 */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "nordic_common.h"
#include "app_error.h"
#include "app_uart.h"
#include "ble_db_discovery.h"
#include "app_timer.h"
#include "app_util.h"
#include "bsp_btn_ble.h"
#include "ble.h"
#include "ble_gap.h"
#include "ble_hci.h"
#include "nrf_sdh.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_ble.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_soc.h"
#include "ble_advdata.h"
#include "ble_nus_c.h"
#include "nrf_ble_gatt.h"
#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"
#include "nrf_drv_uart.h"
#include "nrf_log.h"
#include "nrf_log_ctrl.h"
#include "nrf_log_default_backends.h"
#include "nrf_ble_scan.h"


#define APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG    1                                       /**< A tag that refers to the BLE stack configuration we set with @ref sd_ble_cfg_set. Default tag is @ref BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG_DEFAULT. */
#define APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO   3                                       /**< Application's BLE observer priority. You shoulnd't need to modify this value. */

#define UART_TX_BUF_SIZE        1024                                     /**< UART TX buffer size. */
#define UART_RX_BUF_SIZE        1024                                     /**< UART RX buffer size. */

#define NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE   BLE_UUID_TYPE_VENDOR_BEGIN              /**< UUID type for the Nordic UART Service (vendor specific). */

#define SCAN_INTERVAL           0x00A0                                  /**< Determines scan interval in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_WINDOW             0x0050                                  /**< Determines scan window in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_DURATION           0x0000                                  /**< Timout when scanning. 0x0000 disables timeout. */

#define MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(20, UNIT_1_25_MS)         /**< Determines minimum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(75, UNIT_1_25_MS)         /**< Determines maximum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define SLAVE_LATENCY           0                                       /**< Determines slave latency in counts of connection events. */
#define SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT     MSEC_TO_UNITS(4000, UNIT_10_MS)         /**< Determines supervision time-out in units of 10 millisecond. */

#define ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA  1                                       /**< Echo the UART data that is received over the Nordic UART Service back to the sender. */


BLE_NUS_C_ARRAY_DEF(m_ble_nus_c, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT);                                             /**< BLE NUS service client instance. */
NRF_BLE_GATT_DEF(m_gatt);                                               /**< GATT module instance. */
BLE_DB_DISCOVERY_ARRAY_DEF(m_db_disc, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT);  /**< Database discovery module instances. */
NRF_BLE_SCAN_DEF(m_scan);   

static uint16_t m_ble_nus_max_data_len = BLE_GATT_ATT_MTU_DEFAULT - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH; /**< Maximum length of data (in bytes) that can be transmitted to the peer by the Nordic UART service module. */
static uint8_t data_array[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
static uint8_t data_crc[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event);
static char const m_target_periph_name[] = "Nordic_UART"; 

/**@brief Connection parameters requested for connection. */
static ble_gap_conn_params_t const m_connection_param =
{
    (uint16_t)MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL,  // Minimum connection
    (uint16_t)MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL,  // Maximum connection
    (uint16_t)SLAVE_LATENCY,            // Slave latency
    (uint16_t)SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT       // Supervision time-out
};

static uint8_t m_scan_buffer_data[BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN]; /**< buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */

/**@brief Pointer to the buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */
static ble_data_t m_scan_buffer =
{
    m_scan_buffer_data,
    BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN
};

/** @brief Parameters used when scanning. */
static ble_gap_scan_params_t const m_scan_params =
{
    .active   = 1,
    .interval = SCAN_INTERVAL,
    .window   = SCAN_WINDOW,
    .timeout          = SCAN_DURATION,
    .scan_phys        = BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS,
    .filter_policy    = BLE_GAP_SCAN_FP_ACCEPT_ALL,
};

/**@brief NUS uuid. */
static ble_uuid_t const m_nus_uuid =
{
    .uuid = BLE_UUID_NUS_SERVICE,
    .type = NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE
};

static void scan_evt_handler(scan_evt_t const * p_scan_evt)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch(p_scan_evt->scan_evt_id)
    {
        case NRF_BLE_SCAN_EVT_CONNECTING_ERROR:
        {
            err_code = p_scan_evt->params.connecting_err.err_code;
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
        } break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}

static void scan_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t          err_code;
    nrf_ble_scan_init_t init_scan;

    memset(&init_scan, 0, sizeof(init_scan));

    init_scan.connect_if_match = true;
    init_scan.conn_cfg_tag     = APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG;

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_init(&m_scan, &init_scan, scan_evt_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filter_set(&m_scan, SCAN_NAME_FILTER, m_target_periph_name);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filters_enable(&m_scan, NRF_BLE_SCAN_NAME_FILTER, false);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}
/**@brief Function for asserts in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @details This function will be called in case of an assert in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @warning This handler is an example only and does not fit a final product. You need to analyze
 *          how your product is supposed to react in case of Assert.
 * @warning On assert from the SoftDevice, the system can only recover on reset.
 *
 * @param[in] line_num     Line number of the failing ASSERT call.
 * @param[in] p_file_name  File name of the failing ASSERT call.
 */
void assert_nrf_callback(uint16_t line_num, const uint8_t * p_file_name)
{
    app_error_handler(0xDEADBEEF, line_num, p_file_name);
}


/**@brief Function to start scanning. */
static void scan_start(void)
{
    ret_code_t ret;

    NRF_LOG_INFO("Start scanning for device name %s.", (uint32_t)m_target_periph_name);
    ret = nrf_ble_scan_start(&m_scan);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
    // Turn on the LED to signal scanning.
    bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_3);
}


/**@brief Function for handling database discovery events.
 *
 * @details This function is callback function to handle events from the database discovery module.
 *          Depending on the UUIDs that are discovered, this function should forward the events
 *          to their respective services.
 *
 * @param[in] p_event  Pointer to the database discovery event.
 */
static void db_disc_handler(ble_db_discovery_evt_t * p_evt)
{
     NRF_LOG_DEBUG("call to ble_lbs_on_db_disc_evt for instance %d and link 0x%x!",
                  p_evt->conn_handle,
                  p_evt->conn_handle);

    ble_nus_c_on_db_disc_evt(&m_ble_nus_c[p_evt->conn_handle], p_evt);
}


/**@brief Function for handling characters received by the Nordic UART Service.
 *
 * @details This function takes a list of characters of length data_len and prints the characters out on UART.
 *          If @ref ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA is set, the data is sent back to sender.
 */
static uint32_t ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(uint8_t * p_data, uint16_t data_len)
{
    ret_code_t ret_val;
    uint8_t byte[1024] = {0}; 
    uint32_t check = 0;

    NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Receiving data.");
    NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(p_data, data_len);
    

    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
    {
        do
        {
            ret_val = app_uart_put(p_data[i]);
            if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
            {
                NRF_LOG_ERROR("app_uart_put failed for index 0x%04x.", i);
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
            }
        } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    if (p_data[data_len-1] == '\r')
    {
        while (app_uart_put('\n') == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    if (ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA)
    {
        // Send data back to peripheral.
        do
        {
            ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(m_ble_nus_c, p_data, data_len);
            if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
            {
                NRF_LOG_ERROR("Failed sending NUS message. Error 0x%x. ", ret_val);
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
            }
        } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
        {
          byte[i] = p_data[i];
        }
    bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
    return nrf_drv_uart_tx(&app_uart_inst,byte,data_len); 

}


/**@brief   Function for handling app_uart events.
 *
 * @details This function will receive a single character from the app_uart module and append it to
 *          a string. The string will be be sent over BLE when the last character received was a
 *          'new line' '\n' (hex 0x0A) or if the string has reached the maximum data length.
 */
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event)
{
    
    static uint16_t index = 0;
    uint8_t rx_byte;
    uint32_t ret_val;
    uint32_t get_state;

    switch (p_event->evt_type)
    {
        /**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
        case APP_UART_DATA_READY:
          
           do
          {
             get_state = app_uart_get(&rx_byte);
             if(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS)
             {
               data_array[index] = rx_byte;
               if( data_array[index] == 0x03  || index + 1 >= m_ble_nus_max_data_len )
               {

                   bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
                    NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Ready to send data over BLE NUS");
                    NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(data_array, index);

                    if(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle != BLE_CONN_HANDLE_INVALID)
                    {

                      do
                      {
                          ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(m_ble_nus_c, data_array, index);
                          if(0)
                          {
                              APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
               
                          }
                      } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);            
                    }
                    index = 0;                    
               }
                else
                {              
                  index++;
                  if(index > sizeof(data_array))
                  {
                    index = 0;
                  } 
                }
              }
          }
          while(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS);
          break;

        /**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
        case APP_UART_COMMUNICATION_ERROR:
            NRF_LOG_ERROR("Communication error occurred while handling UART.");
            APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_communication);
            break;

        case APP_UART_FIFO_ERROR:
            NRF_LOG_ERROR("Error occurred in FIFO module used by UART.");
            APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Callback handling NUS Client events.
 *
 * @details This function is called to notify the application of NUS client events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_nus_c   NUS Client Handle. This identifies the NUS client
 * @param[in]   p_ble_nus_evt Pointer to the NUS Client event.
 */

/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */
static void ble_nus_c_evt_handler(ble_nus_c_t * p_ble_nus_c, ble_nus_c_evt_t const * p_ble_nus_evt)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (p_ble_nus_evt->evt_type)
    {
        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCOVERY_COMPLETE:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Discovery complete.");
            err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(p_ble_nus_c, p_ble_nus_evt->conn_handle, &p_ble_nus_evt->handles);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

            err_code = ble_nus_c_tx_notif_enable(p_ble_nus_c);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Connected to device with Nordic UART Service.");
            break;

        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_NUS_TX_EVT:
            ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(p_ble_nus_evt->p_data, p_ble_nus_evt->data_len);
            break;

        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCONNECTED:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Disconnected.");
            scan_start();
            break;
    }
}
/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */


/**
 * @brief Function for shutdown events.
 *
 * @param[in]   event       Shutdown type.
 */
static bool shutdown_handler(nrf_pwr_mgmt_evt_t event)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_IDLE);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    switch (event)
    {
        case NRF_PWR_MGMT_EVT_PREPARE_WAKEUP:
            // Prepare wakeup buttons.
            err_code = bsp_btn_ble_sleep_mode_prepare();
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }

    return true;
}

NRF_PWR_MGMT_HANDLER_REGISTER(shutdown_handler, APP_SHUTDOWN_HANDLER_PRIORITY);


/**@brief Function for handling the advertising report BLE event.
 *
 * @param[in] p_adv_report  Advertising report from the SoftDevice.
 */
static void on_adv_report(ble_gap_evt_adv_report_t const * p_adv_report)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
      
    NRF_LOG_INFO("Packet received");
      

    if (ble_advdata_name_find(p_adv_report->data.p_data,
                              p_adv_report->data.len,
                              m_target_periph_name))
    {
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Device name found");
        err_code = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL, &m_scan_buffer);
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
    }
    else
    {
        err_code = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL, &m_scan_buffer);
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
    }
}


/**@brief Function for handling BLE events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_evt   Bluetooth stack event.
 * @param[in]   p_context   Unused.
 */
static void ble_evt_handler(ble_evt_t const * p_ble_evt, void * p_context)
{
    ret_code_t            err_code;
    ble_gap_evt_t const * p_gap_evt = &p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt;

    switch (p_ble_evt->header.evt_id)
    {
        case BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT:
            on_adv_report(&p_gap_evt->params.adv_report);
            break; // BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONNECTED:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection 0x%x established, starting DB discovery.",
                         p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
            err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(&m_ble_nus_c[p_gap_evt->conn_handle], p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, NULL);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

            err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_CONNECTED);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(&m_db_disc[p_gap_evt->conn_handle],
                                              p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
            // start discovery of services. The NUS Client waits for a discovery result
            err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(m_db_disc, p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle);
            if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_BUSY)
            {
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            }
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_SCAN)
            {
                NRF_LOG_INFO("Scan timed out.");
                scan_start();
            }
            else if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_CONN)
            {
                NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection Request timed out.");
                
            }
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_SEC_PARAMS_REQUEST:
            // Pairing not supported
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_sec_params_reply(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, BLE_GAP_SEC_STATUS_PAIRING_NOT_SUPP, NULL, NULL);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONN_PARAM_UPDATE_REQUEST:
            // Accepting parameters requested by peer.
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_conn_param_update(p_gap_evt->conn_handle,
                                                    &p_gap_evt->params.conn_param_update_request.conn_params);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_PHY_UPDATE_REQUEST:
        {
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("PHY update request.");
            ble_gap_phys_t const phys =
            {
                .rx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
                .tx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
            };
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_phy_update(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, &phys);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
        } break;

        case BLE_GATTC_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            // Disconnect on GATT Client timeout event.
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Client Timeout.");
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gattc_evt.conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GATTS_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            // Disconnect on GATT Server timeout event.
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Server Timeout.");
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gatts_evt.conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the BLE stack.
 *
 * @details Initializes the SoftDevice and the BLE event interrupt.
 */
static void ble_stack_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_sdh_enable_request();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Configure the BLE stack using the default settings.
    // Fetch the start address of the application RAM.
    uint32_t ram_start = 0;
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_default_cfg_set(APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG, &ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Enable BLE stack.
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_enable(&ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Register a handler for BLE events.
    NRF_SDH_BLE_OBSERVER(m_ble_observer, APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO, ble_evt_handler, NULL);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the GATT library. */
void gatt_evt_handler(nrf_ble_gatt_t * p_gatt, nrf_ble_gatt_evt_t const * p_evt)
{
    if (p_evt->evt_id == NRF_BLE_GATT_EVT_ATT_MTU_UPDATED)
    {
        NRF_LOG_INFO("ATT MTU exchange completed.");

        m_ble_nus_max_data_len = p_evt->params.att_mtu_effective - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH;
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Ble NUS max data length set to 0x%X(%d)", m_ble_nus_max_data_len, m_ble_nus_max_data_len);
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the GATT library. */
void gatt_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_init(&m_gatt, gatt_evt_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_att_mtu_central_set(&m_gatt, NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the BSP module.
 *
 * @param[in] event  Event generated by button press.
 */
void bsp_event_handler(bsp_event_t event)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (event)
    {
        case BSP_EVENT_SLEEP:
            nrf_pwr_mgmt_shutdown(NRF_PWR_MGMT_SHUTDOWN_GOTO_SYSOFF);
            break;

        case BSP_EVENT_DISCONNECT:
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_INVALID_STATE)
            {
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            }
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the UART. */
static void uart_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    app_uart_comm_params_t const comm_params =
    {
        .rx_pin_no    = RX_PIN_NUMBER,
        .tx_pin_no    = TX_PIN_NUMBER,
        .rts_pin_no   = RTS_PIN_NUMBER,
        .cts_pin_no   = CTS_PIN_NUMBER,
        .flow_control = APP_UART_FLOW_CONTROL_DISABLED,
        .use_parity   = false,
        .baud_rate    = UART_BAUDRATE_BAUDRATE_Baud115200
    };

    APP_UART_FIFO_INIT(&comm_params,
                       UART_RX_BUF_SIZE,
                       UART_TX_BUF_SIZE,
                       uart_event_handle,
                       APP_IRQ_PRIORITY_LOWEST,
                       err_code);

    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the NUS Client. */
static void nus_c_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t       err_code;
    ble_nus_c_init_t init;

    init.evt_handler = ble_nus_c_evt_handler;

    err_code = ble_nus_c_init(&m_ble_nus_c, &init);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing buttons and leds. */
static void buttons_leds_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    bsp_event_t startup_event;

    err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_LEDS, bsp_event_handler);
    err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_BUTTONS, bsp_event_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = bsp_btn_ble_init(NULL, &startup_event);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the timer. */
static void timer_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = app_timer_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the nrf log module. */
static void log_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = NRF_LOG_INIT(NULL);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    NRF_LOG_DEFAULT_BACKENDS_INIT();
}


/**@brief Function for initializing power management.
 */
static void power_management_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    err_code = nrf_pwr_mgmt_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/** @brief Function for initializing the Database Discovery Module. */
static void db_discovery_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = ble_db_discovery_init(db_disc_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling the idle state (main loop).
 *
 * @details Handle any pending log operation(s), then sleep until the next event occurs.
 */
static void idle_state_handle(void)
{
    if (NRF_LOG_PROCESS() == false)
    {
        nrf_pwr_mgmt_run();
    }
}


int main(void)
{
    // Initialize.
    
    log_init();
    timer_init();
    uart_init();
    buttons_leds_init();
    db_discovery_init();
    power_management_init();
    ble_stack_init();
    gatt_init();
    nus_c_init();
    scan_init();

    // Start execution.
    printf("BLE UART central example started.\r\n");
    NRF_LOG_INFO("BLE UART central example started.");
    scan_start();

    // Enter main loop.
    for (;;)
    {
        idle_state_handle();
    }
}

Hi Martin, 

this is the latest version of my Code. I updatet also the SDK version from 15.1.0 to 15.2.0.

Many thanks for your help. 

[MartinBL]

What kind of compiler are you using? When I try that code i get both compile errors and warnings:

If I work around the errors I get error 8 returned from sd_ble_gap_scan_start():

How far do you get? Have you tried debugging? 

[l.r.97]

I use Segger Embeded Studio 3.34 with the gnu compiler. Oh I'm sorry, i didn't give youe the latest version. This is the right one. 

/**
 * Copyright (c) 2016 - 2018, Nordic Semiconductor ASA
 * 
 * All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
 * are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
 * 
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
 *    list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 * 
 * 2. Redistributions in binary form, except as embedded into a Nordic
 *    Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit in a product or a software update for
 *    such product, must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of
 *    conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
 *    materials provided with the distribution.
 * 
 * 3. Neither the name of Nordic Semiconductor ASA nor the names of its
 *    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this
 *    software without specific prior written permission.
 * 
 * 4. This software, with or without modification, must only be used with a
 *    Nordic Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit.
 * 
 * 5. Any software provided in binary form under this license must not be reverse
 *    engineered, decompiled, modified and/or disassembled.
 * 
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS
 * OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
 * OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
 * DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
 * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
 * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE
 * GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
 * HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
 * LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
 * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 * 
 */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "nordic_common.h"
#include "app_error.h"
#include "app_uart.h"
#include "ble_db_discovery.h"
#include "app_timer.h"
#include "app_util.h"
#include "bsp_btn_ble.h"
#include "ble.h"
#include "ble_gap.h"
#include "ble_hci.h"
#include "nrf_sdh.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_ble.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_soc.h"
#include "ble_advdata.h"
#include "ble_nus_c.h"
#include "nrf_ble_gatt.h"
#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"
#include "nrf_drv_uart.h"
#include "nrf_log.h"
#include "nrf_log_ctrl.h"
#include "nrf_log_default_backends.h"
#include "nrf_ble_scan.h"


#define APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG    1                                       /**< A tag that refers to the BLE stack configuration we set with @ref sd_ble_cfg_set. Default tag is @ref BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG_DEFAULT. */
#define APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO   3                                       /**< Application's BLE observer priority. You shoulnd't need to modify this value. */

#define UART_TX_BUF_SIZE        1024                                     /**< UART TX buffer size. */
#define UART_RX_BUF_SIZE        1024                                     /**< UART RX buffer size. */

#define NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE   BLE_UUID_TYPE_VENDOR_BEGIN              /**< UUID type for the Nordic UART Service (vendor specific). */

#define SCAN_INTERVAL           0x00A0                                  /**< Determines scan interval in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_WINDOW             0x0050                                  /**< Determines scan window in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_DURATION           0x0000                                  /**< Timout when scanning. 0x0000 disables timeout. */

#define MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(20, UNIT_1_25_MS)         /**< Determines minimum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(75, UNIT_1_25_MS)         /**< Determines maximum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define SLAVE_LATENCY           0                                       /**< Determines slave latency in counts of connection events. */
#define SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT     MSEC_TO_UNITS(4000, UNIT_10_MS)         /**< Determines supervision time-out in units of 10 millisecond. */

#define ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA  1                                       /**< Echo the UART data that is received over the Nordic UART Service back to the sender. */


BLE_NUS_C_ARRAY_DEF(m_ble_nus_c, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT);                                             /**< BLE NUS service client instance. */
NRF_BLE_GATT_DEF(m_gatt);                                               /**< GATT module instance. */
BLE_DB_DISCOVERY_ARRAY_DEF(m_db_disc, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT);  /**< Database discovery module instances. */
NRF_BLE_SCAN_DEF(m_scan);   

static uint16_t m_ble_nus_max_data_len = BLE_GATT_ATT_MTU_DEFAULT - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH; /**< Maximum length of data (in bytes) that can be transmitted to the peer by the Nordic UART service module. */
static uint8_t data_array[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
static uint8_t data_crc[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event);
static char const m_target_periph_name[] = "Nordic_UART"; 

/**@brief Connection parameters requested for connection. */
static ble_gap_conn_params_t const m_connection_param =
{
    (uint16_t)MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL,  // Minimum connection
    (uint16_t)MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL,  // Maximum connection
    (uint16_t)SLAVE_LATENCY,            // Slave latency
    (uint16_t)SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT       // Supervision time-out
};

static uint8_t m_scan_buffer_data[BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN]; /**< buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */

/**@brief Pointer to the buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */
static ble_data_t m_scan_buffer =
{
    m_scan_buffer_data,
    BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN
};

/** @brief Parameters used when scanning. */
static ble_gap_scan_params_t const m_scan_params =
{
    .active   = 1,
    .interval = SCAN_INTERVAL,
    .window   = SCAN_WINDOW,
    .timeout          = SCAN_DURATION,
    .scan_phys        = BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS,
    .filter_policy    = BLE_GAP_SCAN_FP_ACCEPT_ALL,
};

/**@brief NUS uuid. */
static ble_uuid_t const m_nus_uuid =
{
    .uuid = BLE_UUID_NUS_SERVICE,
    .type = NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE
};

static void scan_evt_handler(scan_evt_t const * p_scan_evt)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch(p_scan_evt->scan_evt_id)
    {
        case NRF_BLE_SCAN_EVT_CONNECTING_ERROR:
        {
            err_code = p_scan_evt->params.connecting_err.err_code;
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
        } break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}

static void scan_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t          err_code;
    nrf_ble_scan_init_t init_scan;

    memset(&init_scan, 0, sizeof(init_scan));

    init_scan.connect_if_match = true;
    init_scan.conn_cfg_tag     = APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG;

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_init(&m_scan, &init_scan, scan_evt_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filter_set(&m_scan, SCAN_NAME_FILTER, m_target_periph_name);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filters_enable(&m_scan, NRF_BLE_SCAN_NAME_FILTER, false);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}
/**@brief Function for asserts in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @details This function will be called in case of an assert in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @warning This handler is an example only and does not fit a final product. You need to analyze
 *          how your product is supposed to react in case of Assert.
 * @warning On assert from the SoftDevice, the system can only recover on reset.
 *
 * @param[in] line_num     Line number of the failing ASSERT call.
 * @param[in] p_file_name  File name of the failing ASSERT call.
 */
void assert_nrf_callback(uint16_t line_num, const uint8_t * p_file_name)
{
    app_error_handler(0xDEADBEEF, line_num, p_file_name);
}


/**@brief Function to start scanning. */
static void scan_start(void)
{
    ret_code_t ret;

    NRF_LOG_INFO("Start scanning for device name %s.", (uint32_t)m_target_periph_name);
    ret = nrf_ble_scan_start(&m_scan);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
    // Turn on the LED to signal scanning.
    bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_3);
}


/**@brief Function for handling database discovery events.
 *
 * @details This function is callback function to handle events from the database discovery module.
 *          Depending on the UUIDs that are discovered, this function should forward the events
 *          to their respective services.
 *
 * @param[in] p_event  Pointer to the database discovery event.
 */
static void db_disc_handler(ble_db_discovery_evt_t * p_evt)
{
     NRF_LOG_DEBUG("call to ble_lbs_on_db_disc_evt for instance %d and link 0x%x!",
                  p_evt->conn_handle,
                  p_evt->conn_handle);

    ble_nus_c_on_db_disc_evt(&m_ble_nus_c[p_evt->conn_handle], p_evt);
}


/**@brief Function for handling characters received by the Nordic UART Service.
 *
 * @details This function takes a list of characters of length data_len and prints the characters out on UART.
 *          If @ref ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA is set, the data is sent back to sender.
 */
static uint32_t ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(uint8_t * p_data, uint16_t data_len)
{
    ret_code_t ret_val;
    uint8_t byte[1024] = {0}; 
    uint32_t check = 0;

    NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Receiving data.");
    NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(p_data, data_len);
    

    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
    {
        do
        {
            ret_val = app_uart_put(p_data[i]);
            if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
            {
                NRF_LOG_ERROR("app_uart_put failed for index 0x%04x.", i);
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
            }
        } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    if (p_data[data_len-1] == '\r')
    {
        while (app_uart_put('\n') == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    if (ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA)
    {
        // Send data back to peripheral.
        do
        {
            ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(m_ble_nus_c, p_data, data_len);
            if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
            {
                NRF_LOG_ERROR("Failed sending NUS message. Error 0x%x. ", ret_val);
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
            }
        } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
        {
          byte[i] = p_data[i];
        }
    bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
    return nrf_drv_uart_tx(&app_uart_inst,byte,data_len); 

}


/**@brief   Function for handling app_uart events.
 *
 * @details This function will receive a single character from the app_uart module and append it to
 *          a string. The string will be be sent over BLE when the last character received was a
 *          'new line' '\n' (hex 0x0A) or if the string has reached the maximum data length.
 */
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event)
{
    
    static uint16_t index = 0;
    uint8_t rx_byte;
    uint32_t ret_val;
    uint32_t get_state;

    switch (p_event->evt_type)
    {
        /**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
        case APP_UART_DATA_READY:
          
           do
          {
             get_state = app_uart_get(&rx_byte);
             if(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS)
             {
               data_array[index] = rx_byte;
               if( data_array[index] == 0x03  || index + 1 >= m_ble_nus_max_data_len )
               {

                   bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
                    NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Ready to send data over BLE NUS");
                    NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(data_array, index);

                    if(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle != BLE_CONN_HANDLE_INVALID)
                    {

                      do
                      {
                          ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(m_ble_nus_c, data_array, index);
                          if(0)
                          {
                              APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
               
                          }
                      } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);            
                    }
                    index = 0;                    
               }
                else
                {              
                  index++;
                  if(index > sizeof(data_array))
                  {
                    index = 0;
                  } 
                }
              }
          }
          while(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS);
          break;

        /**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
        case APP_UART_COMMUNICATION_ERROR:
            NRF_LOG_ERROR("Communication error occurred while handling UART.");
            APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_communication);
            break;

        case APP_UART_FIFO_ERROR:
            NRF_LOG_ERROR("Error occurred in FIFO module used by UART.");
            APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Callback handling NUS Client events.
 *
 * @details This function is called to notify the application of NUS client events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_nus_c   NUS Client Handle. This identifies the NUS client
 * @param[in]   p_ble_nus_evt Pointer to the NUS Client event.
 */

/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */
static void ble_nus_c_evt_handler(ble_nus_c_t * p_ble_nus_c, ble_nus_c_evt_t const * p_ble_nus_evt)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (p_ble_nus_evt->evt_type)
    {
        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCOVERY_COMPLETE:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Discovery complete.");
            err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(p_ble_nus_c, p_ble_nus_evt->conn_handle, &p_ble_nus_evt->handles);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

            err_code = ble_nus_c_tx_notif_enable(p_ble_nus_c);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Connected to device with Nordic UART Service.");
            break;

        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_NUS_TX_EVT:
            ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(p_ble_nus_evt->p_data, p_ble_nus_evt->data_len);
            break;

        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCONNECTED:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Disconnected.");
            scan_start();
            break;
    }
}
/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */


/**
 * @brief Function for shutdown events.
 *
 * @param[in]   event       Shutdown type.
 */
static bool shutdown_handler(nrf_pwr_mgmt_evt_t event)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_IDLE);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    switch (event)
    {
        case NRF_PWR_MGMT_EVT_PREPARE_WAKEUP:
            // Prepare wakeup buttons.
            err_code = bsp_btn_ble_sleep_mode_prepare();
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }

    return true;
}

NRF_PWR_MGMT_HANDLER_REGISTER(shutdown_handler, APP_SHUTDOWN_HANDLER_PRIORITY);


/**@brief Function for handling the advertising report BLE event.
 *
 * @param[in] p_adv_report  Advertising report from the SoftDevice.
 */
static void on_adv_report(ble_gap_evt_adv_report_t const * p_adv_report)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
      
    NRF_LOG_INFO("Packet received");
      

    if (ble_advdata_name_find(p_adv_report->data.p_data,
                              p_adv_report->data.len,
                              m_target_periph_name))
    {
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Device name found");
        err_code = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL, &m_scan_buffer);
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
    }
    else
    {
        err_code = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL, &m_scan_buffer);
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
    }
}


/**@brief Function for handling BLE events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_evt   Bluetooth stack event.
 * @param[in]   p_context   Unused.
 */
static void ble_evt_handler(ble_evt_t const * p_ble_evt, void * p_context)
{
    ret_code_t            err_code;
    ble_gap_evt_t const * p_gap_evt = &p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt;

    switch (p_ble_evt->header.evt_id)
    {
        case BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT:
            on_adv_report(&p_gap_evt->params.adv_report);
            break; // BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONNECTED:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection 0x%x established, starting DB discovery.",
                         p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
            err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(&m_ble_nus_c[p_gap_evt->conn_handle], p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, NULL);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

            err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_CONNECTED);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(&m_db_disc[p_gap_evt->conn_handle],
                                              p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
            // start discovery of services. The NUS Client waits for a discovery result
            err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(m_db_disc, p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle);
            if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_BUSY)
            {
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            }
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_SCAN)
            {
                NRF_LOG_INFO("Scan timed out.");
                scan_start();
            }
            else if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_CONN)
            {
                NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection Request timed out.");
                
            }
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_SEC_PARAMS_REQUEST:
            // Pairing not supported
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_sec_params_reply(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, BLE_GAP_SEC_STATUS_PAIRING_NOT_SUPP, NULL, NULL);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONN_PARAM_UPDATE_REQUEST:
            // Accepting parameters requested by peer.
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_conn_param_update(p_gap_evt->conn_handle,
                                                    &p_gap_evt->params.conn_param_update_request.conn_params);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_PHY_UPDATE_REQUEST:
        {
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("PHY update request.");
            ble_gap_phys_t const phys =
            {
                .rx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
                .tx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
            };
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_phy_update(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, &phys);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
        } break;

        case BLE_GATTC_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            // Disconnect on GATT Client timeout event.
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Client Timeout.");
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gattc_evt.conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GATTS_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            // Disconnect on GATT Server timeout event.
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Server Timeout.");
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gatts_evt.conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the BLE stack.
 *
 * @details Initializes the SoftDevice and the BLE event interrupt.
 */
static void ble_stack_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_sdh_enable_request();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Configure the BLE stack using the default settings.
    // Fetch the start address of the application RAM.
    uint32_t ram_start = 0;
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_default_cfg_set(APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG, &ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Enable BLE stack.
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_enable(&ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Register a handler for BLE events.
    NRF_SDH_BLE_OBSERVER(m_ble_observer, APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO, ble_evt_handler, NULL);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the GATT library. */
void gatt_evt_handler(nrf_ble_gatt_t * p_gatt, nrf_ble_gatt_evt_t const * p_evt)
{
    if (p_evt->evt_id == NRF_BLE_GATT_EVT_ATT_MTU_UPDATED)
    {
        NRF_LOG_INFO("ATT MTU exchange completed.");

        m_ble_nus_max_data_len = p_evt->params.att_mtu_effective - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH;
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Ble NUS max data length set to 0x%X(%d)", m_ble_nus_max_data_len, m_ble_nus_max_data_len);
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the GATT library. */
void gatt_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_init(&m_gatt, gatt_evt_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_att_mtu_central_set(&m_gatt, NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the BSP module.
 *
 * @param[in] event  Event generated by button press.
 */
void bsp_event_handler(bsp_event_t event)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (event)
    {
        case BSP_EVENT_SLEEP:
            nrf_pwr_mgmt_shutdown(NRF_PWR_MGMT_SHUTDOWN_GOTO_SYSOFF);
            break;

        case BSP_EVENT_DISCONNECT:
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_INVALID_STATE)
            {
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            }
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the UART. */
static void uart_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    app_uart_comm_params_t const comm_params =
    {
        .rx_pin_no    = RX_PIN_NUMBER,
        .tx_pin_no    = TX_PIN_NUMBER,
        .rts_pin_no   = RTS_PIN_NUMBER,
        .cts_pin_no   = CTS_PIN_NUMBER,
        .flow_control = APP_UART_FLOW_CONTROL_DISABLED,
        .use_parity   = false,
        .baud_rate    = UART_BAUDRATE_BAUDRATE_Baud115200
    };

    APP_UART_FIFO_INIT(&comm_params,
                       UART_RX_BUF_SIZE,
                       UART_TX_BUF_SIZE,
                       uart_event_handle,
                       APP_IRQ_PRIORITY_LOWEST,
                       err_code);

    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the NUS Client. */
static void nus_c_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t       err_code;
    ble_nus_c_init_t init;

    init.evt_handler = ble_nus_c_evt_handler;

    err_code = ble_nus_c_init(m_ble_nus_c, &init);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing buttons and leds. */
static void buttons_leds_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    bsp_event_t startup_event;

    err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_LEDS, bsp_event_handler);
    err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_BUTTONS, bsp_event_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = bsp_btn_ble_init(NULL, &startup_event);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the timer. */
static void timer_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = app_timer_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the nrf log module. */
static void log_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = NRF_LOG_INIT(NULL);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    NRF_LOG_DEFAULT_BACKENDS_INIT();
}


/**@brief Function for initializing power management.
 */
static void power_management_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    err_code = nrf_pwr_mgmt_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/** @brief Function for initializing the Database Discovery Module. */
static void db_discovery_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = ble_db_discovery_init(db_disc_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling the idle state (main loop).
 *
 * @details Handle any pending log operation(s), then sleep until the next event occurs.
 */
static void idle_state_handle(void)
{
    if (NRF_LOG_PROCESS() == false)
    {
        nrf_pwr_mgmt_run();
    }
}


int main(void)
{
    // Initialize.
    
    log_init();
    timer_init();
    uart_init();
    buttons_leds_init();
    db_discovery_init();
    power_management_init();
    ble_stack_init();
    gatt_init();
    nus_c_init();
    scan_init();

    // Start execution.
    printf("BLE UART central example started.\r\n");
    NRF_LOG_INFO("BLE UART central example started.");
    scan_start();

    // Enter main loop.
    for (;;)
    {
        idle_state_handle();
    }
}

The Output shows no errors.

  If I starting debugging, he says the following: 

 After this function return he jumps into the on_adv_report(); 

so I see the same error code. 

The following is described in the definition for the Invalid_state: 

@retval ::NRF_ERROR_INVALID_STATE Invalid state to perform operation. Either:
 *                                   - Scanning is already ongoing and p_scan_params was not NULL
 *                                   - Scanning is not running and p_scan_params was NULL.
 *                                   - The scanner has timed out when this function is called to continue scanning.

However, the scan is already running and the parameter NULL is passed, so it should not actually come to this error code or have I overlooked something?

[l.r.97]

Update: I have solved the connection problem by now. It works with the following code.

/**
 * Copyright (c) 2016 - 2018, Nordic Semiconductor ASA
 * 
 * All rights reserved.
 * 
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
 * are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
 * 
 * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this
 *    list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 * 
 * 2. Redistributions in binary form, except as embedded into a Nordic
 *    Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit in a product or a software update for
 *    such product, must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of
 *    conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
 *    materials provided with the distribution.
 * 
 * 3. Neither the name of Nordic Semiconductor ASA nor the names of its
 *    contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this
 *    software without specific prior written permission.
 * 
 * 4. This software, with or without modification, must only be used with a
 *    Nordic Semiconductor ASA integrated circuit.
 * 
 * 5. Any software provided in binary form under this license must not be reverse
 *    engineered, decompiled, modified and/or disassembled.
 * 
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS
 * OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES
 * OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT, AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
 * DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL NORDIC SEMICONDUCTOR ASA OR CONTRIBUTORS BE
 * LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR
 * CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE
 * GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
 * HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
 * LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT
 * OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 * 
 */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include "nordic_common.h"
#include "ble_conn_state.h"
#include "app_error.h"
#include "app_uart.h"
#include "ble_db_discovery.h"
#include "app_timer.h"
#include "app_util.h"
#include "bsp_btn_ble.h"
#include "ble.h"
#include "ble_gap.h"
#include "ble_hci.h"
#include "nrf_sdh.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_ble.h"
#include "nrf_sdh_soc.h"
#include "ble_advdata.h"
#include "ble_nus_c.h"
#include "nrf_ble_gatt.h"
#include "nrf_pwr_mgmt.h"
#include "nrf_drv_uart.h"
#include "nrf_log.h"
#include "nrf_log_ctrl.h"
#include "nrf_log_default_backends.h"
#include "nrf_ble_scan.h"


#define APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG    1                                       /**< A tag that refers to the BLE stack configuration we set with @ref sd_ble_cfg_set. Default tag is @ref BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG_DEFAULT. */
#define APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO   3                                       /**< Application's BLE observer priority. You shoulnd't need to modify this value. */

#define UART_TX_BUF_SIZE        1024                                     /**< UART TX buffer size. */
#define UART_RX_BUF_SIZE        1024                                     /**< UART RX buffer size. */

#define NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE   BLE_UUID_TYPE_VENDOR_BEGIN              /**< UUID type for the Nordic UART Service (vendor specific). */

#define SCAN_INTERVAL           0x00A0                                  /**< Determines scan interval in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_WINDOW             0x0050                                  /**< Determines scan window in units of 0.625 millisecond. */
#define SCAN_DURATION           0x0000                                  /**< Timout when scanning. 0x0000 disables timeout. */

#define MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(20, UNIT_1_25_MS)         /**< Determines minimum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL MSEC_TO_UNITS(75, UNIT_1_25_MS)         /**< Determines maximum connection interval in millisecond. */
#define SLAVE_LATENCY           0                                       /**< Determines slave latency in counts of connection events. */
#define SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT     MSEC_TO_UNITS(4000, UNIT_10_MS)         /**< Determines supervision time-out in units of 10 millisecond. */

#define ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA  1                                       /**< Echo the UART data that is received over the Nordic UART Service back to the sender. */


BLE_NUS_C_ARRAY_DEF(m_ble_nus_c, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT);                                             /**< BLE NUS service client instance. */
NRF_BLE_GATT_DEF(m_gatt);                                               /**< GATT module instance. */
BLE_DB_DISCOVERY_ARRAY_DEF(m_db_disc, NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT);  /**< Database discovery module instances. */
NRF_BLE_SCAN_DEF(m_scan);   

static uint16_t m_ble_nus_max_data_len = BLE_GATT_ATT_MTU_DEFAULT - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH; /**< Maximum length of data (in bytes) that can be transmitted to the peer by the Nordic UART service module. */
static uint8_t data_array[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
static uint8_t data_crc[BLE_NUS_MAX_DATA_LEN];
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event);
static char const m_target_periph_name[] = "Nordic_UART"; 

/**@brief Connection parameters requested for connection. */
static ble_gap_conn_params_t const m_connection_param =
{
    (uint16_t)MIN_CONNECTION_INTERVAL,  // Minimum connection
    (uint16_t)MAX_CONNECTION_INTERVAL,  // Maximum connection
    (uint16_t)SLAVE_LATENCY,            // Slave latency
    (uint16_t)SUPERVISION_TIMEOUT       // Supervision time-out
};

static uint8_t m_scan_buffer_data[BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN]; /**< buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */

/**@brief Pointer to the buffer where advertising reports will be stored by the SoftDevice. */
static ble_data_t m_scan_buffer =
{
    m_scan_buffer_data,
    BLE_GAP_SCAN_BUFFER_MIN
};

/** @brief Parameters used when scanning. */
static ble_gap_scan_params_t const m_scan_params =
{
    .active   = 1,
    .interval = SCAN_INTERVAL,
    .window   = SCAN_WINDOW,
    .timeout          = SCAN_DURATION,
    .scan_phys        = BLE_GAP_PHY_1MBPS,
    .filter_policy    = BLE_GAP_SCAN_FP_ACCEPT_ALL,
};

/**@brief NUS uuid. */
static ble_uuid_t const m_nus_uuid =
{
    .uuid = BLE_UUID_NUS_SERVICE,
    .type = NUS_SERVICE_UUID_TYPE
};

static void scan_evt_handler(scan_evt_t const * p_scan_evt)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch(p_scan_evt->scan_evt_id)
    {
        case NRF_BLE_SCAN_EVT_CONNECTING_ERROR:
        {
            err_code = p_scan_evt->params.connecting_err.err_code;
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
        } break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}

static void scan_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t          err_code;
    nrf_ble_scan_init_t init_scan;

    memset(&init_scan, 0, sizeof(init_scan));

    init_scan.connect_if_match = true;
    init_scan.conn_cfg_tag     = APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG;

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_init(&m_scan, &init_scan, scan_evt_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filter_set(&m_scan, SCAN_NAME_FILTER, m_target_periph_name);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_scan_filters_enable(&m_scan, NRF_BLE_SCAN_NAME_FILTER, false);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}
/**@brief Function for asserts in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @details This function will be called in case of an assert in the SoftDevice.
 *
 * @warning This handler is an example only and does not fit a final product. You need to analyze
 *          how your product is supposed to react in case of Assert.
 * @warning On assert from the SoftDevice, the system can only recover on reset.
 *
 * @param[in] line_num     Line number of the failing ASSERT call.
 * @param[in] p_file_name  File name of the failing ASSERT call.
 */
void assert_nrf_callback(uint16_t line_num, const uint8_t * p_file_name)
{
    app_error_handler(0xDEADBEEF, line_num, p_file_name);
}


/**@brief Function to start scanning. */
static void scan_start(void)
{
    ret_code_t ret;

    NRF_LOG_INFO("Start scanning for device name %s.", (uint32_t)m_target_periph_name);
    ret = nrf_ble_scan_start(&m_scan);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret);
    // Turn on the LED to signal scanning.
    bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_3);
}


/**@brief Function for handling database discovery events.
 *
 * @details This function is callback function to handle events from the database discovery module.
 *          Depending on the UUIDs that are discovered, this function should forward the events
 *          to their respective services.
 *
 * @param[in] p_event  Pointer to the database discovery event.
 */
static void db_disc_handler(ble_db_discovery_evt_t * p_evt)
{
     NRF_LOG_DEBUG("call to ble_lbs_on_db_disc_evt for instance %d and link 0x%x!",
                  p_evt->conn_handle,
                  p_evt->conn_handle);

    ble_nus_c_on_db_disc_evt(&m_ble_nus_c[p_evt->conn_handle], p_evt);
}


/**@brief Function for handling characters received by the Nordic UART Service.
 *
 * @details This function takes a list of characters of length data_len and prints the characters out on UART.
 *          If @ref ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA is set, the data is sent back to sender.
 */
static uint32_t ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(uint8_t * p_data, uint16_t data_len)
{
    ret_code_t ret_val;
    uint8_t byte[1024] = {0}; 
    uint32_t check = 0;

    NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Receiving data.");
    NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(p_data, data_len);
    

    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
    {
        do
        {
            ret_val = app_uart_put(p_data[i]);
            if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
            {
                NRF_LOG_ERROR("app_uart_put failed for index 0x%04x.", i);
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
            }
        } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    if (p_data[data_len-1] == '\r')
    {
        while (app_uart_put('\n') == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    if (ECHOBACK_BLE_UART_DATA)
    {
        // Send data back to peripheral.
        do
        {
            ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(m_ble_nus_c, p_data, data_len);
            if ((ret_val != NRF_SUCCESS) && (ret_val != NRF_ERROR_BUSY))
            {
                NRF_LOG_ERROR("Failed sending NUS message. Error 0x%x. ", ret_val);
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
            }
        } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);
    }
    for (uint32_t i = 0; i < data_len; i++)
        {
          byte[i] = p_data[i];
        }
    bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
    return nrf_drv_uart_tx(&app_uart_inst,byte,data_len); 

}


/**@brief   Function for handling app_uart events.
 *
 * @details This function will receive a single character from the app_uart module and append it to
 *          a string. The string will be be sent over BLE when the last character received was a
 *          'new line' '\n' (hex 0x0A) or if the string has reached the maximum data length.
 */
void uart_event_handle(app_uart_evt_t * p_event)
{
    
    static uint16_t index = 0;
    uint8_t rx_byte;
    uint32_t ret_val;
    uint32_t get_state;

    switch (p_event->evt_type)
    {
        /**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
        case APP_UART_DATA_READY:
          
           do
          {
             get_state = app_uart_get(&rx_byte);
             if(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS)
             {
               data_array[index] = rx_byte;
               if( data_array[index] == 0x03  || index + 1 >= m_ble_nus_max_data_len )
               {

                   bsp_board_led_invert(BSP_BOARD_LED_0);
                    NRF_LOG_DEBUG("Ready to send data over BLE NUS");
                    NRF_LOG_HEXDUMP_DEBUG(data_array, index);

                    if(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle != BLE_CONN_HANDLE_INVALID)
                    {

                      do
                      {
                          ret_val = ble_nus_c_string_send(m_ble_nus_c, data_array, index);
                          if(0)
                          {
                              APP_ERROR_CHECK(ret_val);
               
                          }
                      } while (ret_val == NRF_ERROR_BUSY);            
                    }
                    index = 0;                    
               }
                else
                {              
                  index++;
                  if(index > sizeof(data_array))
                  {
                    index = 0;
                  } 
                }
              }
          }
          while(get_state == NRF_SUCCESS);
          break;

        /**@snippet [Handling data from UART] */
        case APP_UART_COMMUNICATION_ERROR:
            NRF_LOG_ERROR("Communication error occurred while handling UART.");
            APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_communication);
            break;

        case APP_UART_FIFO_ERROR:
            NRF_LOG_ERROR("Error occurred in FIFO module used by UART.");
            APP_ERROR_HANDLER(p_event->data.error_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Callback handling NUS Client events.
 *
 * @details This function is called to notify the application of NUS client events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_nus_c   NUS Client Handle. This identifies the NUS client
 * @param[in]   p_ble_nus_evt Pointer to the NUS Client event.
 */

/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */
static void ble_nus_c_evt_handler(ble_nus_c_t * p_ble_nus_c, ble_nus_c_evt_t const * p_ble_nus_evt)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (p_ble_nus_evt->evt_type)
    {
        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCOVERY_COMPLETE:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Discovery complete.");
            err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(p_ble_nus_c, p_ble_nus_evt->conn_handle, &p_ble_nus_evt->handles);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

            err_code = ble_nus_c_tx_notif_enable(p_ble_nus_c);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Connected to device with Nordic UART Service.");
            break;

        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_NUS_TX_EVT:
            ble_nus_chars_received_uart_print(p_ble_nus_evt->p_data, p_ble_nus_evt->data_len);
            break;

        case BLE_NUS_C_EVT_DISCONNECTED:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Disconnected.");
            scan_start();
            break;
    }
}
/**@snippet [Handling events from the ble_nus_c module] */


/**
 * @brief Function for shutdown events.
 *
 * @param[in]   event       Shutdown type.
 */
static bool shutdown_handler(nrf_pwr_mgmt_evt_t event)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = bsp_indication_set(BSP_INDICATE_IDLE);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    switch (event)
    {
        case NRF_PWR_MGMT_EVT_PREPARE_WAKEUP:
            // Prepare wakeup buttons.
            err_code = bsp_btn_ble_sleep_mode_prepare();
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }

    return true;
}

NRF_PWR_MGMT_HANDLER_REGISTER(shutdown_handler, APP_SHUTDOWN_HANDLER_PRIORITY);


/**@brief Function for handling the advertising report BLE event.
 *
 * @param[in] p_adv_report  Advertising report from the SoftDevice.
 */
static void on_adv_report(ble_gap_evt_adv_report_t const * p_adv_report)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
      
    NRF_LOG_INFO("Packet received");
      

    if (ble_advdata_name_find(p_adv_report->data.p_data,
                              p_adv_report->data.len,
                              m_target_periph_name))
    {
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Device name found");
        err_code = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL,&m_scan_buffer);
        //APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
    }
    else
    {
        err_code = sd_ble_gap_scan_start(NULL, &m_scan_buffer);
        APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
    }
}


/**@brief Function for handling BLE events.
 *
 * @param[in]   p_ble_evt   Bluetooth stack event.
 * @param[in]   p_context   Unused.
 */
static void ble_evt_handler(ble_evt_t const * p_ble_evt, void * p_context)
{
    ret_code_t            err_code;
    ble_gap_evt_t const * p_gap_evt = &p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt;

    switch (p_ble_evt->header.evt_id)
    {
        case BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT:
            on_adv_report(&p_gap_evt->params.adv_report);
            break; // BLE_GAP_EVT_ADV_REPORT

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONNECTED:
            NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection 0x%x established, starting DB discovery.",
                         p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK_BOOL(p_gap_evt->conn_handle < NRF_SDH_BLE_CENTRAL_LINK_COUNT);
            err_code = ble_nus_c_handles_assign(&m_ble_nus_c[p_gap_evt->conn_handle], p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, NULL);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

           
            err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(&m_db_disc[p_gap_evt->conn_handle],
                                              p_gap_evt->conn_handle);
            // start discovery of services. The NUS Client waits for a discovery result
            err_code = ble_db_discovery_start(m_db_disc, p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle);
            if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_BUSY)
            {
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            }
            if (ble_conn_state_central_conn_count() == 2)
            {
                break;
            }
            else
            {
                // Resume scanning.
                bsp_board_led_on(BSP_BOARD_LED_3);
                scan_start();
            }
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_SCAN)
            {
                NRF_LOG_INFO("Scan timed out.");
                scan_start();
            }
            else if (p_gap_evt->params.timeout.src == BLE_GAP_TIMEOUT_SRC_CONN)
            {
                NRF_LOG_INFO("Connection Request timed out.");
                
            }
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_SEC_PARAMS_REQUEST:
            // Pairing not supported
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_sec_params_reply(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, BLE_GAP_SEC_STATUS_PAIRING_NOT_SUPP, NULL, NULL);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_CONN_PARAM_UPDATE_REQUEST:
            // Accepting parameters requested by peer.
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_conn_param_update(p_gap_evt->conn_handle,
                                                    &p_gap_evt->params.conn_param_update_request.conn_params);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GAP_EVT_PHY_UPDATE_REQUEST:
        {
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("PHY update request.");
            ble_gap_phys_t const phys =
            {
                .rx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
                .tx_phys = BLE_GAP_PHY_AUTO,
            };
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_phy_update(p_ble_evt->evt.gap_evt.conn_handle, &phys);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
        } break;

        case BLE_GATTC_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            // Disconnect on GATT Client timeout event.
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Client Timeout.");
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gattc_evt.conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        case BLE_GATTS_EVT_TIMEOUT:
            // Disconnect on GATT Server timeout event.
            NRF_LOG_DEBUG("GATT Server Timeout.");
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(p_ble_evt->evt.gatts_evt.conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the BLE stack.
 *
 * @details Initializes the SoftDevice and the BLE event interrupt.
 */
static void ble_stack_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_sdh_enable_request();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Configure the BLE stack using the default settings.
    // Fetch the start address of the application RAM.
    uint32_t ram_start = 0;
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_default_cfg_set(APP_BLE_CONN_CFG_TAG, &ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Enable BLE stack.
    err_code = nrf_sdh_ble_enable(&ram_start);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    // Register a handler for BLE events.
    NRF_SDH_BLE_OBSERVER(m_ble_observer, APP_BLE_OBSERVER_PRIO, ble_evt_handler, NULL);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the GATT library. */
void gatt_evt_handler(nrf_ble_gatt_t * p_gatt, nrf_ble_gatt_evt_t const * p_evt)
{
    if (p_evt->evt_id == NRF_BLE_GATT_EVT_ATT_MTU_UPDATED)
    {
        NRF_LOG_INFO("ATT MTU exchange completed.");

        m_ble_nus_max_data_len = p_evt->params.att_mtu_effective - OPCODE_LENGTH - HANDLE_LENGTH;
        NRF_LOG_INFO("Ble NUS max data length set to 0x%X(%d)", m_ble_nus_max_data_len, m_ble_nus_max_data_len);
    }
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the GATT library. */
void gatt_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_init(&m_gatt, gatt_evt_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = nrf_ble_gatt_att_mtu_central_set(&m_gatt, NRF_SDH_BLE_GATT_MAX_MTU_SIZE);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling events from the BSP module.
 *
 * @param[in] event  Event generated by button press.
 */
void bsp_event_handler(bsp_event_t event)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    switch (event)
    {
        case BSP_EVENT_SLEEP:
            nrf_pwr_mgmt_shutdown(NRF_PWR_MGMT_SHUTDOWN_GOTO_SYSOFF);
            break;

        case BSP_EVENT_DISCONNECT:
            err_code = sd_ble_gap_disconnect(m_ble_nus_c->conn_handle,
                                             BLE_HCI_REMOTE_USER_TERMINATED_CONNECTION);
            if (err_code != NRF_ERROR_INVALID_STATE)
            {
                APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
            }
            break;

        default:
            break;
    }
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the UART. */
static void uart_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;

    app_uart_comm_params_t const comm_params =
    {
        .rx_pin_no    = RX_PIN_NUMBER,
        .tx_pin_no    = TX_PIN_NUMBER,
        .rts_pin_no   = RTS_PIN_NUMBER,
        .cts_pin_no   = CTS_PIN_NUMBER,
        .flow_control = APP_UART_FLOW_CONTROL_DISABLED,
        .use_parity   = false,
        .baud_rate    = UART_BAUDRATE_BAUDRATE_Baud115200
    };

    APP_UART_FIFO_INIT(&comm_params,
                       UART_RX_BUF_SIZE,
                       UART_TX_BUF_SIZE,
                       uart_event_handle,
                       APP_IRQ_PRIORITY_LOWEST,
                       err_code);

    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}

/**@brief Function for initializing the NUS Client. */
static void nus_c_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t       err_code;
    ble_nus_c_init_t init;

    init.evt_handler = ble_nus_c_evt_handler;

    err_code = ble_nus_c_init(m_ble_nus_c, &init);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing buttons and leds. */
static void buttons_leds_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    bsp_event_t startup_event;

    err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_LEDS, bsp_event_handler);
    err_code = bsp_init(BSP_INIT_BUTTONS, bsp_event_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    err_code = bsp_btn_ble_init(NULL, &startup_event);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the timer. */
static void timer_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = app_timer_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for initializing the nrf log module. */
static void log_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = NRF_LOG_INIT(NULL);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);

    NRF_LOG_DEFAULT_BACKENDS_INIT();
}


/**@brief Function for initializing power management.
 */
static void power_management_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    err_code = nrf_pwr_mgmt_init();
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/** @brief Function for initializing the Database Discovery Module. */
static void db_discovery_init(void)
{
    ret_code_t err_code = ble_db_discovery_init(db_disc_handler);
    APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code);
}


/**@brief Function for handling the idle state (main loop).
 *
 * @details Handle any pending log operation(s), then sleep until the next event occurs.
 */
static void idle_state_handle(void)
{
    if (NRF_LOG_PROCESS() == false)
    {
        nrf_pwr_mgmt_run();
    }
}


int main(void)
{
    // Initialize.
    
    log_init();
    timer_init();
    uart_init();
    buttons_leds_init();
    db_discovery_init();
    power_management_init();
    ble_stack_init();
    gatt_init();
    nus_c_init();
    scan_init();

    // Start execution.
    printf("BLE UART central example started.\r\n");
    NRF_LOG_INFO("BLE UART central example started.");
    scan_start();

    // Enter main loop.
    for (;;)
    {
        idle_state_handle();
    }
}

However, only the Peripheral may send the first message to the Central. The connection is available for both

[MartinBL]

Commenting out APP_ERROR_CHECK(err_code) to circumvent a function that returns an error is a bold move, and a move that is likely to come back to haunt you. It is much better to figure out why the function returns an error to start with, and what to do about it. 

What happens in your case is that you are using the Scanning Module and in scan_init() you tell the module to auto-connect by setting connect_if_match set to true. If you dive into the code you can see that the module stops scanning whenever it auto-connects:

static void nrf_ble_scan_connect_with_target(nrf_ble_scan_t           const * const p_scan_ctx,
                                             ble_gap_evt_adv_report_t const * const p_adv_report)
{
    ret_code_t err_code;
    scan_evt_t scan_evt;

    // For readability.
    ble_gap_addr_t const        * p_addr        = &p_adv_report->peer_addr;
    ble_gap_scan_params_t const * p_scan_params = &p_scan_ctx->scan_params;
    ble_gap_conn_params_t const * p_conn_params = &p_scan_ctx->conn_params;
    uint8_t                       con_cfg_tag   = p_scan_ctx->conn_cfg_tag;

    // Return if the automatic connection is disabled.
    if (!p_scan_ctx->connect_if_match)
    {
        return;
    }

    // Stop scanning.
    nrf_ble_scan_stop();

And as you mention this causes sd_ble_gap_scan_start() to return NRF_ERROR_INVALID_STATE because scanning is not running and p_scan_params is NULL. 

I suggest that you look at the BLE Multi-link Example and how it continues to scan using nrf_ble_scan_start(). Note also how it configures an array of m_lbs_c instances in lbs_c_init(). You should probably implement something similar for your array of m_ble_nus_c instances. This might solve your current problem.