Nrf5340 soft device backward compatibility

[Akshay Goyal]

Hi Team,

Currently we are using 52840 soc with softdevice s140_nrf52_7.0.1_softdevice.hex.

We want to migrate to 5340 for BLE 5.2 features, we would like to understand below points.

1. is it possible to use the same softdevice(s140_nrf52_7.0.1_softdevice.hex) with 5340 soc without any application changes.

2. if any other latest versions of softdevice is recommended for 5340. if yes, is it backward compatible with softdevice(s140_nrf52_7.0.1_softdevice,hex).

3. From where we can find the supported examples and SDK's or any third party libraries for direction finding(AOA and AOD).

Thanks,

Akshay Goyal 

[Carl Richard]

Hello!

Thanks for reaching out. The answer to your first two questions is that the nRF5 SDK SoftDevices are incompatible with the nRF5340 and there is no plan for any compatible release. The nRF5340 is designed to be used with the nRF Connect SDK (NCS), with either the Nordic SoftDevice Controller (not to be confused with the nRF5 SDK SoftDevices) or the Zephyr Bluetooth LE Controller (open source) as Bluetooth link layer. 

NCS has the "Direction finding connectionless beacon" and "Direction finding connectionless locator" samples. Though there is currently not implemented any support for the nRF5340.

For more information on the roadmap for this you can contact your Regional Sales Manager (RSM). If you don't know who that is please send me a DM with your location and I'll provide the contact details to you.

Best regards,
Carl Richard

[Akshay Goyal]

Hi Carl,

Thanks for the quick response.

Could you please share us the SOC details which are capable of direction finding(AOA and AOD) features and supported SDK's with examples projects. Also let us know any of these SOC's are backward compatible with nrf52840.

Thanks,

Akshay Goyal

[Carl Richard]

Hi again, Akshay!

Currently we support direction finding on the nRF52833, nRF52820 and nRF52811 SoCs. The samples I linked to in my previous post are supported by the nRF52833DK, but the beacon sample should be possible to adapt for the nRF52820 and nRF52811 as well. 

When it comes to backwards combability I'm not entirely sure what you mean? As all of these SoCs are in the same series there are many similarities, but you must be aware of differences in terms of ram, flash and peripherals. You can have a look at the combability matrixes for the different SoCs (linked below) to see which SDKs and SoftDevices they are compatible with. 

Combability matrixes:
nRF52833
nRF52820
nRF52811

Best regards,
Carl Richard

[Akshay Goyal]

Thanks Carl for your inputs.

As these samples are suggesting to use antenna array along with nrf52833 DK, can you suggest these antenna array can be interfaced with 

development kit.

what are all the compatible antenna arrays available to use with nrf52833?

Thanks,

Akshay Goyal

[Carl Richard]

Hello!

Any AOA antenna array should be compatible per say, but this kit from Insight uses an array similar to the Nordic reference design and should work well. It's also possible to use this solution from uBlox.

We have a partner delivering antenna arrays in the US as well.

Best regards,
Carl Richard