Using NRF9160 together with NRF52840 for Bluetooth connectivity

[Tim Adu]

Hi,

I am working on designing specifications for a new product, which will potentially be using the NRF9160 as the main processor, since the main application is centered around LTE-M connectivity. A key requirement is BLE connectivity as well, and I'm looking into using the NRF52840. 
How can the BLE functionality on the 52840 be controlled from the 9160? Is this even possible? Or would it be easier with some other dedicated BLE chip?
What's a suitable/recommended approach?

Thanks

Tim

[Einar Thorsrud]

Hi Tim,

Yes, you can use the nRF52840 as a BLE connectivity device for the nRF9160. In fact this is supported out of the box running the Bluetooth controller on the nRF52xxx device, and the Bluetooth host on the nRF9160, and  using HCI communication over UART between them. You can refer to the nRF9160: LTE Sensor Gateway to see an example of this.

[Tim Adu]

Fantastic! And I would assume the nrf9160-DK would be a good reference point for designing a custom board?

[Einar Thorsrud]

It might be that the Thingy:91 is a better reference for making a real product. You can refer to the hardware files for the hardware design. See Thingy:91 Downloads.

[Tim Adu]

Would we also then have the possibility of accessing the Bluetooth Direction Finding feature if we used the NRF52833 together with the NRF9160?

[Einar Thorsrud]

Yes, that should also be possible. We do not have an example of this scenario, though.