Over the air firmware update (OTA DFU) in NRF Connect SDK excluding SoftDevice

[CRNorris]

Is it possible to set up an NRF Connect SDK project such that the firmware can be updated over BLE, without including the SoftDevice in the update?

I'm using NRF52810 which has only 192kB of flash, which is not enough flash to fit the current firmware and new firmware at the same time. I believe that if the SoftDevice was kept separate, and not updated with my application, then there would be enough space for both the current and new versions of my application and I would be able to do OTA DFU.

[Sigurd]

CRNorris said:

Is it possible to set up an NRF Connect SDK project such that the firmware can be updated over BLE, without including the SoftDevice in the update?

Unfortunately, no. That is not possible in NCS.

[CRNorris]

OK, thanks for the information. Is this on the roadmap for NCS or is it impossible for the foreseeable future?

[Sigurd]

CRNorris said:

Is this on the roadmap for NCS or is it impossible for the foreseeable future?

Impossible for the foreseeable future. A solution could be to add some external flash chip to your PCB. https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/1.6.1/nrf/ug_bootloader_external_flash.html

[CRNorris]

Thank you, that's helpful