Can nfr52833 and nrf52832 support Bluetooth 5.2 SoC？

[helen]

Hi，

I find that nrf52 series can support  Bluetooth 5.2 SoC in nordicsemi page, but it still  shows Bluetooth 5.1 SoC in Product Spec.

Which one is right ? Is it just that the specifications are not updated in time?

Thanks.

[bjorn-spockeli]

Hi Helen, 

the nRF52 Series SoCs are  Bluetooth 5.2 ready, i.e. from a hardware perspective they can support all the new features in the 5.2 spec, i.e.

• Enhanced ATT
• LE Power Control
• LE Isochronous Channels

However, we do not have any Bluetooth Protocol stack that is Bluetooth 5.2. qualified yet, but this will come. 

Best regards

Bjørn

[helen]

Hi，

According to your reply yesterday, can I understand that the 52 series ICs support full functions in hardware, The difference in functions are due to the use of different Bluetooth Protocol stack ?

For examples, nrf52832 can support 125 kbps（long Range） by upgrading the protocol stack.

nrf52840 can support  (AoA) and  (AoD) direction finding using Bluetooth by upgrading the protocol stack.

Best regards

[bjorn-spockeli]

With regards to Bluetooth 5.2 features, its only the BLE protocol stack that need to be updated. With Bluetooth 5.0 and BLuetooth 5.1 there are some hardware differences in the nRF52 Series.

The nRF52832 does not support Coded PHy, i.e. 125 or 500kbps. Coded Phy is supported by the nRF52811, nRF52833 and the nRF52840. 

The nRF52840 does not support Direction Finding, i.e AoA or AoD. Direction Finding is supported by the nrf52811 and the nRF52833.

[NickinFrance]

Will the new 5.2 features (and any BT Audio that follows) be supported via the traditional Soft Devices, or will it all be under the new software architecture ? 

Thanks