nrf52840 BLE stack test suite

[Edwin B]

Our customer has requested access to any test suites the BLE IC vendor can provide which can be used to provide objective evidence of testing & specific test cases.

We started the design using a chip down approach due to an overestimation of the annual volumes.  We have since migrated to an NRF52840 module...

What SW test suites does Nordic provide which can be executed against a custom HW using the NRF52840 IC?

Are there any test suites which can be used for the following:

1) BLE stack compliance with BLE 5.0

2) Cybersecurity penetration test cases, etc...

Any help is appreciated.

[Marjeris Romero]

Hi,

We already perform testing and qualification of our BLE stack (Softdevice) and nRF devices. You can take a look at the QDID for each chip + Softdevice combination (qualified designs) in our infocenter, for example for nRF52840:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/comp_matrix_nrf52840/COMP/nrf52840/nrf52840_ble_qdid_qual_matrix.html 

For details on each QDID you can take a look on the Bluetooth SIG website:

https://launchstudio.bluetooth.com/ListingDetails/94511

This means that you as a customer don't need to certified "with required testing", but you still need to perform DTM testing to check that the RF-PHY layer for custom HW is in compliance.

You can find a DTM example in the nRF5 SDK under folder examples\dtm\direct_test_mode and read the documentation of the example in our infocenter, here.

We do internal testing of the Softdevice to be in compliance with the BLE specification, so we test for all test cases in the BT TCRL, but we do not offer any way to do your own stack compliance.

Best regards,

Marjeris

[Edwin B]

Hi Marjeris,

This is very helpful! Thank you. Which TCRL has the soft core been tested against?  We have no interest in repeating tests, we just need the evidence & reference data of which tests have been completed.

Does Nordic have a cybersecurity test suite which is executed against the soft core?  

Our aim is to not repeat testing but obtain & provide the objective evidence of the previously executed Nordic tests.

Regards,

Edwin B

[Marjeris Romero]

Hi Edwin,

Sorry for the late reply. You can check which TCRL is used in Launchstudio, for example for the combination I linked to ealier (nRF52 + S140 v7.0.1) it says that:

TCRL Version

TCRL 2018-2

For security testing please refer to this answer: https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/17667/are-ble-softdevices-security-audited/67963#67963

Our SoftDevices are qualified Bluetooth Low Energy implementations adhering to, and tested against, all requirements with regard to security. In addition, Nordic tests SoftDevices for valid and invalid application and peer behavior towards the API and wireless interfaces.

So in general internal testing audits are not something we share with customers, if you have further questions send me a PM and I can put you in contact with your Regional Sales Manager.

BR,

Marjeris