BLE 5.0 features on nrf52810 (SD112)

[buja]

Chip nrF52810

SDK - 17.0.2

SD- S112

Mine is a system which sends out beacon continuously (no scanning).

From the spec, I see that the, 2Mbps is the only feature of BLE5.0 which is supported in nrf52810.

I would like to know if I will be able to send more data than 31 bytes and use long range using nrf52810 ? Also, does using feature 2Mbps is going to benefit me in any way for sending beacons ?

[Vidar Berg]

Hello,

You can add an additional 31 byte of advertising payload by adding a scan response packet as explained in the tutorial here: https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/nordic/short-range-guides/b/bluetooth-low-energy/posts/ble-advertising-a-beginners-tutorial. For anything beyond that you will need use the advertising extension feature (255 bytes), but please keep in mind that not all smartphones support this feature yet.

I don't think the 2M PHY is particurarly relevant for Beacon applications. It's generally meant to give better throughput in connections (at the cost of a sligthly reduced range). The Bluetooth specification does not allow advertising with 2M on the primary advertising channels either.

Long range is not supported by the 52810's RADIO.

Softdevice Feature Comparison

Compability Matrix (Shows which Softdevice variants and version you can use with the 52810)

SDKs and SoftDevices

[buja]

Thank you for your reply.

Vidar Berg said:

For anything beyond that you will need use the advertising extension feature (255 bytes), but please keep in mind that not all smartphones support this feature yet.

But I see that "Advertising Extensions" is not supported for nRF52810 (In the comparison table provided in the question). Does it mean that the PDU type can be extended, but data cannot exceed 31bytes. Could you please confirm this ? 

[Vidar Berg]

It can't be extended. I thought advertising extensions was supported if you used the s132, but I forgot that we have only qualified v.5.1.0 of this Softdevice variant and the adv. ext. feature got introduced in v6.1.0

[buja]

Thank you for your reply.

1) I am sorry. I did not understand that. Does the hardware support Extended advertising ? Please see the below given table, which says that "Advertising extension" is not supported. Does it refer to the hardware itself or the soft device ?

Vidar Berg said:

but I forgot that we have only qualified v.5.1.0 of this Softdevice variant and the adv. ext. feature got introduced in v6.1.0

2) I am a bit confused when you used the word "qualified". I am currently using "s112_nrf52_7.2.0_softdevice.hex" along with SDK 17.0.2. Is this SD qualified ? I see that  "s132_nrf52_7.2.0_softdevice.hex" is available and is it safe to use it in our firmware products ? What do you mean when you say "qualified" ?

[Vidar Berg]

1) I assume it because of the Softdevice, but that's something I would have to confirm with the developers. I'm not aware of any HW limitations.

2) Yes, this version is ok. You can see from the compability matrix which Softdevice version/variants you can use with the nRF52810:  https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/comp_matrix_nrf52810/COMP/nrf52810/nRF52810_ic_rev_sdk_sd_comp_matrix.html

[buja]

Thank you for your reply.

Vidar Berg said:

1) I assume it because of the Softdevice, but that's something I would have to confirm with the developers. I'm not aware of any HW limitations.

Could you please confirm this with your team members and let me know ? If it is a softdevice limitation, is there any way I will be able to use this feature ? Would there be a future softdevice release to support this feature in nRF52810?

Vidar Berg said:

2) Yes, this version is ok. You can see from the compability matrix which Softdevice version/variants you can use with the nRF52810:  https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/comp_matrix_nrf52810/COMP/nrf52810/nRF52810_ic_rev_sdk_sd_comp_matrix.html

Thank you. Got this.

[Vidar Berg]

The Stack team confirmed that it is not a HW limitation. Advertising Extension is actually supported for all nRF52 variants in the new nRF connect sdk already :  https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/nrfxlib/softdevice_controller/README.html

Roadmap questions is generally something that has to be answered by our sales teams, so I can't say if there will come a Softdevice for the 52810 with AE support or not. Maybe the 52811 will be a better option if you need this feature.