NRF5 SDK vs NRF Connect SDK for NRF52840/NRF52833

[Tim Adu]

Hi,

I am trying to decide whether to go with the NRF5 SDK or NRF Connect SDK for use with the NRF52840.

From the compatibility matrix documentation at Infocenter, I can see that revision 3 of the Soc works only with the Connect SDK and not the NRF5 SDK, which begs these questions:

1. Will all future SoC revisions of the NRF52840 work only with the NRF Connect SDK (same question applies to the NRF52833 as I also see a similar trend, and I'm also considering this SoC as well).
2. Is there a timeline for how long the NRF5 SDK will be maintained?
3. Scenario - what would happen if we tried to use revision 3 of the NRF52840 SoC with the NRF5 SDK?
4. What are your recommendations? (I intend to add a cellular modem to my design, as well as be able to perform FOTA upgrade of the SoC over cellular). Which SDK facilitates this better?

References:

• https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/comp_matrix_nrf52833/COMP/nrf52833/nRF52833_ic_rev_sdk_sd_comp_matrix.html
• https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/comp_matrix_nrf52840/COMP/nrf52840/nRF52840_ic_rev_sdk_sd_comp_matrix.html

Thanks

Tim

[Einar Thorsrud]

Hi Tim,

Unfortunately the compatibility matrix is not up to date right now. The nRF5 SDK 17.1.0 has support for revision 3 of the nRF52840. I think the nRF Connect SDK and nRF5 SDK statement answers most of your questions. The key point is that the nRF5 SDK is not deprecated and it will be maintained for the foreseeable future.