nrf52833 AoA getting started

[benkokes]

I am looking for some 'getting started' information on configuring the nrf52833 DK for direction finding.

I have read the thread: https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/53115/nrf52811-direction-finding-aoa-where-should-i-start  where Dmitry gives the overview of steps needed to obtain I/Q data. 

The small issue is: How do you do that with Softdevice?  I am trying to leverage the ble_app_uart project and modify it to send the appropriate tone extension on the advertising packet.  However, I try to modify the DFEMODE (0x40001900) register,  then when softdevice loads, DFEMODE gets reset to 0x0. The SDK states that the radio needs to be disabled before modifying a Radio register. If I try that, softdevice panics and I get sent to the error handler.

I thought that the BLE 5.1 spec said  the tone accompanied the advertising packet.  Is the current Nordic  implication one that I need to omit softdevice and control the radio directly?

Thank you for your insights!

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

Yes, the Softdevice does not allow you tampering with the registers while running, so unfortunately this is not possible and part of the reason why there is no SDK support. For now, you need to use an application that does not use the Softdevice, e.g. the radio examples in the SDK or our Solar Beacon reference design code.

 

Best regards,

Andreas