Upgrading Softdevice - means upgrading BLE Spec. without modifications on application side?

[Mr_BLE]

Hello,

one small question: If we switch from Softdevice S132 6.1.1 to 7.0.1 without recompiling the application or using a higher SDK, does it mean, that we will automatically upgrade the certificateable BLE Specification from 5.0 to 5.1?

Thank you!
Regards

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi, 

Which device do you use? For example, nRF52840/SDKs and SoftDevices page indicates SDK relays on a specific Softdevice version.  

I would suggest you refer to the Compatibility Matrix to use the compatible version of SDK and Softdevice. 

-Amanda H. 

[Mr_BLE]

Hi,

we use the nRF52832. I know this compatibility matrix. I know that the SD 7.0.1 has new features and only the newest SDK can support this. But we don't use any of them. So my question still remains: Can we replace just the Softdevice 6.1.1 with 7.0.1 and automatically upgrade the qualifiable BLE version from 5.0 to 5.1?

I read that often the BLE version increases if the mandatory features and bug fixes are implemented. The question is, are the fixes implemented just in the Softdevice without affection the SDK?

As mentioned before, the replacement just of the SD works with old SDK 15.2 and we talked back to Nordic. It is compatible.

Do you need any further information on this?

Regards

[Amanda Hsieh]

Not sure I understand the question. 
There is no automatic upgrade to certification, but you can update the Softdevice in your product as long as the ICS is not updated. I.e. as long as you don't use any of the new features you can update the Softdevice without re-certifying your product.

-Amanda H.

[Mr_BLE]

Excuse me, what do you mean with ICS?

I will try to shape my question in other words:

We use the nRF52832, SDK 15.2 and SD S132 v7.0.1. Is this constellation qualifiable to BLE version 5.1?

Thank you!

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi, 

Mr_BLE said:

what do you mean with ICS?

ICs means your chip and hardware.

Mr_BLE said:

We use the nRF52832, SDK 15.2 and SD S132 v7.0.1. Is this constellation qualifiable to BLE version 5.1?

What is the qualification/test/requirements you prepare?

With the same hardware and application, only the SD is updated to 7.0.1. That only indicates it uses the SD which can support BLE5.1. I don't know that it is qualifiable to BLE 5.1 or not because I am not an expert in qualification. You might inquire about Bluetooth SIG. 

-Amanda H.

[Mr_BLE]

The question is: Are the BLE 5.1 mandatory required bug fixes implemented in the Softdevice or in the new SDK?

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi Andre, 

No, but there is a new feature " Direction Finding " in BLE 5.1. Please see the bluetooth core specification 5.1 released by Bluetooth SIG. Also, see this post and this post. 

-Amanda