nRF5340 as a Bluetooth Controller for Windows

[Woosuk Lee]

I am trying to identify if it is possible to use nRF5340 as a generic Bluetooth Controller for Windows system.

For Linux system, if nRF5340 is flashed with, for example, Zephyr HCI USB, it functions as a Bluetooth Controller that works with the Linux BlueZ Host stack. As the HCI implements a standard protocol (e.g., H4), I wonder if it is possible to make Zephyr HCI USB or HCI UART work with Windows system. 

In general, how can I use nRF5340 as a Bluetooth Controller for Windows system?

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

Unfortunately, zephyr hci only works with linux (bluez).

The device is only LE capable, which windows does not seem to accept, as per this comment:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/57222/windows-bluetooth-adapter-firmware-for-nrf52840-dongle/232173#232173

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[Woosuk Lee]

Does it mean that Windows works only with a dual-mode BT Controller, and Nordic IC (which is only LE-capable) cannot be a BT Controller for Windows?

Otherwise, Zephyr HCI should work with Windows in theory as the HCI is part of the Bluetooth Spec (please correct me if I am wrong).

Apparently, as Zephyr HCI does not work with Windows as-is, I am trying to identify what is broken and what needs to be implemented to bridge the gap.

[Håkon Alseth]

I haven't looked deeply into this, unfortunately. If you contact the zephyr community, they might have more in-depth knowledge about why it does not run on windows (scroll down to "connect" section):

https://www.zephyrproject.org/community/ 

 

Kind regards,

Håkon