Training - New to Nordic APIs, BLE and ANT

[c cook]

Does anyone know of training that would help get a novice off the ground with the Nordic nRF51 devices? I'm new to Bluetooth and ANT, and while I have figured a few things out, I feel like I spend most of my time spinning my wheels.

I've done hardware design for years, with some C code development but I'm by no means a great C programmer (one of the reasons I'm struggling). I'm also new to Bluetooth development. I could really use some training that would get me started off on the right foot, and tie in all the different pieces I'm trying to come up to speed on.

If anyone knows of any training - Online, or in person that could help me out I would really appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks Clint

[Paul Russell]

I'm in same boat. All I can suggest start with examples at:

• devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../index.html

• Get all the nRF51 Apps for your smartphone (iPhone, Android4.4, Maybe Android4.3)

• To Start buy the nRF51822-EK, This includes a JLink and a Product Key so you can download the tools (Later may get nRFgo Starter Kit, nRF51822 DK, mbed, Beacon, etc).

• Get latest documents and tools for these when enter product key from the antistatic envelope label on your Nordic MyPage

• When have Product key can install Tools, Use latest version of everything: nRFgoStudio, SDK(6.1), s110(v7.1), Keil (5.12), MCP

• I'm using free version of Keil compiler, I haven't had success with Eclipse+gcc yet. I think nAN-29 needs an update.

• nAN-36 seems to be mostly obsolete, newest info in SDK Docs. Some steps in nAN-36 help with Keil, but if you see anything about Legacy then you are using obsolete stuff.

Paul

===20141029_NST1528===

Try using nRFgo Studio to:

1. Select the connected nRF51822 PCB

2. Erase All (This messed me up several times)

3. Program Soft Device Hex file.

4. Program Application Compiled from Latest SDK zip (not nAN-36, not sure about GitHub status).

*. Ensure you have a matching pair of SDK example and Softdevice, if not the iROM and iRAM addresses and sizes in example may not match up with softdevice.

*. I'm using example from SDK6.1 zip with hex from s110v7.1.0 on nRF51822-EK

Paul

[c cook]

Paul - Thanks for the suggestions. I've done all those things, and I've had some success. I'm having problems getting all the components to mesh together in my mind.

Here's an example: I downloaded from GitHub the Ble_lbs example, I was able to modify the code to add two specific services. That code was running just fine. My company decided that including the ANT protocol was the right direction to go. I bought the nRF51422 eval board, I loaded it with the s110 stack and my firmware and it ran. Two weeks later I was asked to get a nRF51 board to run with my firmware. I can't get it to run (two weeks ago it was working). I tried, but I've been getting errors, when I try to access the s110 stack. I still have not tracked down why I'm getting the errors. Two weeks ago my firmware was running without any problems. I can't figure what has changed. It worked a couple of weeks ago, now it crashes. I'd be happy to pay for someone to walk me through what was going on, but right now, I'm just spinning my wheels.

If there is anyone who feels confident in walking someone through the whole Nordic BLE, API and AND, using the Keil IDE, I'd gladly pay them. Right now I'm spinning my wheels, and even if I get it to work, I"m skeptical that I will understand why.

My company would be willing to pay for me to travel and spend a few days(3-4 days) working with someone who not only understands the Nordic Stack(s), but would be willing to take a few days to help me come up to speed.

-Clint

[Stefan Birnir Sverrisson]

In addition to the very good tips already posted on your thread, this blog post may be helpful.

[Dermot]

Hello Clint, I too am in exactly the same situation. Did you get any further in your search for training? I'd be very interested in it. -Dermot

[mark waldin]

I have to reiterate what you are saying.  I am perhaps in a worse position than you!  High level programming is not a problem for me.  I understand many/most of the concepts of low level programming such as ram/rom/flash allocations and segmenting but I have no overall schema in my mind on the components that come together to actually build a solution running ble based application but have great trouble determining how to proceed.

I can run the examples and follow what is going on for the most part but trying to combine functionality from two examples and make things work has been a nightmare.  I understand it is because I am a novice.  I am willing to put in the time and effort to come up to speed.  I am even willing to put in the money for a class or more to build a solid foundation.  So far I have not found a book, tutorial etc that can get me over the hump.

I hate bothering knowledgeable people on this forum with novice questions also.  Last time I asked one I was told my question was extremely basic.  I felt pretty bad having asked it.  Now I don't know what is a smart question and what is a dumb question.

Very frustrating.  I know this thread is 4 years old so I am hoping that things have progressed and maybe there are more solutions for novices than there have been.  Are there anyone knows about?