Does NRF52810/NRF52811 chip set support BLE_central mode?

[Quangca]

Hello every body,

Can i ask a question:

            Does NRF52810/NRF52811 chip set support  BLE_central mode?

I try to convert example code from "ble_app_blinky_c, pca10056" to run NRF52811. I also flashed "s112_nrf52_7.0.1_softdevice.hex" for NRF52811.

Everything process convert is Ok, no problem. But it didn't work. 

I read something on Nordic infocenter and see that, it seem NRF52810/NRF52811 don't work with BLE_central app.

Maybe not enough memory for it work or s112 softdevice does not support central mode, it is right?

Everyone have issue like me?

[run_ar]

Hi,

S112 does not support central mode. Please refer to the compatibility matrix to see which softdevices are supported with each chip:

nRF52810 - SDKs and SoftDevices

nRF52811 - SDKs and SoftDevices

For central role on nRF52811 you would likely want to consider using the S122, see S122 SoftDevice Specification.

[Quangca]

Hello Mr Run_ar.

Thanks for you quick answer me.

Is that your mean: for central role on nRF52811 you would likely want to consider using the S122

When modify "ble_app_blinky_c" app from pca10056 sw packet to run on my NRF52811 board i need flash S122 softdevice.

Can you share me detail step to run central role on NRF52811 board.

My board run well all app in pca10056e sw packet.

[run_ar]

Did you see the guide on: Transferring the project to nRF52811 hardware

In addition you will have to adjust the flash and ram base of the application to match the smaller SD. but you could possibly use the s140 if it fits in flash together with the application. From release notes:

Flash: 112 kB (0x1C000 bytes)
RAM: 4.8 kB (0x12e0 bytes). This is the minimum required memory. The actual requirements depend on the configuration chosen at sd_ble_enable() time.

[Quangca]

Hello again,

I search and see that many post confirm NRF52811 does not support central role.

example here:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/47236/does-nrf52811-supports-concurrent-central-peripheral-role

I using SDK: nRF5SDK1702d674dde

-->can you confirm for me this NRF52811 support or not support central role with S122 and nRF5SDK1702d674dde??

Today, i try to make code for NRF52811-central role but it still don't work.

I understood  very clearly rule to convert project PCA10056 t0 PCA10056e in your suggestion:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fsdk_nrf5_v17.0.2%2Fnrf52811_user_guide.html&cp=7_1_5_1_3&anchor=ug_52811_project

Here is the setup on segger

 !DOCTYPE CrossStudio_Project_File>
<solution Name="ble_app_blinky_c_pca10056_s140" target="8" version="2">
<project Name="ble_app_blinky_c_pca10056_s140">
<configuration
Name="Common"
arm_architecture="v7EM"
arm_core_type="Cortex-M4"
arm_endian="Little"
arm_fp_abi="Soft"
arm_fpu_type="Soft"
arm_linker_heap_size="2048"
arm_linker_process_stack_size="0"
arm_linker_stack_size="2048"
arm_linker_treat_warnings_as_errors="No"
arm_simulator_memory_simulation_parameter="RWX 00000000,00100000,FFFFFFFF;RWX 20000000,00010000,CDCDCDCD"
arm_target_device_name="nRF52811_xxAA"
arm_target_interface_type="SWD"
c_preprocessor_definitions="APP_TIMER_V2;APP_TIMER_V2_RTC1_ENABLED;BOARD_PCA10056;CONFIG_GPIO_AS_PINRESET;DEVELOP_IN_NRF52840;FLOAT_ABI_SOFT;INITIALIZE_USER_SECTIONS;NO_VTOR_CONFIG;NRF52811_XXAA;NRF_SD_BLE_API_VERSION=7;S140;SOFTDEVICE_PRESENT;"

........

linker_section_placement_macros="FLASH_PH_START=0x0;FLASH_PH_SIZE=0x30000;RAM_PH_START=0x20000000;RAM_PH_SIZE=0x6000;FLASH_START=0x1C000;FLASH_SIZE=0x17000;RAM_START=0x20001ae0;RAM_SIZE=0x4520"
linker_section_placements_segments="FLASH RX 0x0 0x30000;RAM1 RWX 0x20000000 0x6000"

And using nRFgo Studio flash done for my nrf52811 board(my board run good with all examples PCA100056e)

Softdevice C:/QuangBK/NRF52_DEC092020 _Convert/nRF5_SDK_17.0.2_d674dde/components/softdevice/s122/hex/s122_nrf52_8.0.0_softdevice.hex programmed successfully

Application C:/QuangBK/NRF52_DEC092020 _Convert/nRF5_SDK_17.0.2_d674dde/examples/ble_central/ble_app_blinky_c/pca10056/s140/ses/Output/Release/Exe/ble_app_blinky_c_pca10056_s140.hex programmed successfully

--> i try many case but seem my nrf52811 board don't work in central mode. Do you have any suggestion to sniffer and trace nrf52811 in central mode

thank you so much!!

[run_ar]

The post you link to is quite old, I.e. From before we had the S122 Softdevice.

When increasing the Flash start address you need to reduce the flash_size.

Did you also change the system files? and I think you should update the preprocessor flags.

There is on S122 central project in the SDK nRF5_SDK_17.0.2_d674dde\examples\ble_central\ble_app_uart_c\pca10100e. I was able to run this quickly on the DK, by changing chip define, startup files and flash/ram settings.

[Quangca]

hi mr Run_ar

i solved this issue.
Thank you so much!