Pre-Qualified module with custom firmware

[trigerion]

I hope someone is able to answer a few question. 

I read quite a lot but still some things are still confusing.

If we use e.g. the AMB2621 Module of Würth, is skipping the required testing during qualification only possible if using the default firmware provided by Würth?

If yes, the phy test can be skipped as the hardware design itself is not altered or?

Has anyone some information how much it would cost approximately in case the skipping of the testing is not possible?

Would an own qualified end product  need requalification in case the soft device is changed to a newer version?

Thanks.

[ketiljo]

The module most probably comes without any firmware.

For the RF-PHY, check with the module manufacturer if they have testes it and have a QDID. If not, you can use Nordic's but you should re-test the RF-PHY. Note that the RF-PHY it testes independently of the stack.

For other parts, like the stack, profiles etc. you can refer to Nordic's QDIDs. 

No re-qualification is needed unless you are using new features that wasn't part of the original listing. 

[trigerion]

Thanks for the quick response. The AMB2621 comes with a pre-installed firmware. The QDID for the module is 90212 but it is listed as End Product. This would include the RF-PHY check or? 

Do I unterstand you right that using a Softdevice for BLE 5.0 would not be allowed if the initial test was against 4.2? I saw that Nordic has its own QDID for each Softdevice version e.g. 3.0, 4.0, etc. Can I update from 3.0 to 4.0 without relisting?

[ketiljo]

The QDID for the module should include the RF-PHY as well, so you can refer to this. 

BLE 4.2 doesn't have 2 Mbps, while BLE 5 has. If you don't use this, you can update without re-listing. You only need to re-list of you're using new features, like 2 Mbps or long range.

[Hauser]

Hi Trigerion,

questions concerning radio modules of Würth Elektronik can be directly send to the Würth Elektronik support system:

Würth Elektronik Support for radio modules and sensors

They can help you in module specific questions in more details.

BR Hauser

PS: Their Bluetooth Low Energy modules are called "Proteus":

• Proteus-I (formerly known as AMB2621)
• Proteus-II (formerly known as AMB2623)
• ...

[krndhub]

So basically - if I acces the SoftDevice (BLE stack) in another way than before (2Mbps, changing connection parameters, changing/adding/removing services, ...) I have to re-qualify. But if I update the firmware in the way eg. just changing the protocol used on top of the Nordic UART service no re-qualification is necessary.

Do I get that right?
(I want to use a pre-qualified nRF52805 module with S113.)