nRF21540 implementation on a nRF52840 without OS

[Dominik Eugster]

Hi

I'm looking for an example implementaion code on the nRF52840 without an operating system. Is there some example or application note?

I connected the SPI and all IO Pins. I have no Zephyr code.

Regards

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi

When you say "without an operating system", what do you mean?

If you wonder which SDK to use between the nRF Connect SDK and the nRF5 SDK, see our  nRF Connect SDK and nRF5 SDK statement.
For new designs, the nRF Connect SDK is recommended for new designs.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

[Dominik Eugster]

Hi Sigurd

I have a running c-code with BLE Mesh functions. Now I added the nRF21540 and like to implement the driver, but can't find the instructions how to do this. I think there are some files and functions to add to the project and like to refer to a example project.

Regards

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi

Dominik Eugster said:

I have a running c-code with BLE Mesh functions.

I think this means that you do use neither the nRF5 SDK nor the nRF Connect SDK.

Dominik Eugster said:

refer to a example project.

No, we do not have any examples for using the nRF21540 outside the nRF Connect SDK as far as I know.

However, I think our Front-end module feature nrfx driver should be usable outside the OS as well. You could also try to search our git for 21540 and Front End Module(FEM): https://github.com/nrfconnect/sdk-nrfxlib.

To have a look into how it works , you could for example have a look at our Bluetooth: Peripheral UART sample in the nRF Connect SDK, as it supports use with the nRF21540.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

[Dominik Eugster]

I mean I need to call mpsl_fem_nrf21540_gpio_interface_config_set to config the driver. To use this command, I need to know when I have to call it and which files I have to add to my project (c. h. and maybe *.a files). Do I have to add the files manually into my project and read the complete docu to know when I have to call this? Or is there any example which is working similar? I can't believe that I am the first person which is working with a nRF21540 on a nRF52840 and likes to use this hardware driver or maybe I can't find the relevant docu.

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi

Most other people working with our microcontrollers use either the nRF5 SDK or the nRF Connect SDK.
To avoid misunderstandings, can you answer the following question?

Which of the three alternatives listed under don you use for software developement:

1. The nRF Connect SDK

2. The nRF5 SDK

3. Neither of the above

If you answer question 3, please also answer the following question:

Are you able to you link me to the BLE Mesh implementation you are using for your project?

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

[Dominik Eugster]

I'm working with the nRF5 SDK

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Aha. When you said you did not want to use Zephyr OS, I though that meant you did not use the nRF Connect SDK either.
Either way, that is not what you ask.

Many of our BLE samples in the nRF Connect SDK have Front End Module support, such as the Bluetooth: Peripheral UART.
And I guess the Working with RF front-end modules will be useful.

Is this what you were looking for?

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

[Dominik Eugster]

Sigurd Hellesvik said:

And I guess the Working with RF front-end modules will be useful.

yes, this is usefull, I think I will start with this.
I added the files manually to my propject and will call  the functions according to the docu. There are a lot of options and functions which are not needed and this is the reason why I asked for an example which is for adding the nRF21540 to an existing BLE project. The reason is that all is working, but the range of the BLE signal is too low. I added the nRF21540 and have to add the software layer to control the nRF21540, this is what I have to do.

Here the files I added to my project

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi

Normally for working with the nRF21540 in the nRF Connect SDK, Kconfig handles most of the includes, libraries and drivers.
Therefore, if someone wanted to add nRF21540 functionality to their project, it should be as simple as building for a different board.
I would recommend them to have make a custom board using inspiration from the nrf21540dk_nrf52840 to include the nRF21540 into their BLE application, in addition to the documentation I have already provided to you.

While this likely is not the same as your workflow, it might be able to help you some.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik