ser_s132_hci / HCI example - serialization example inquiry

[Matthew K]

Hi guys. I'm using nRF5 SDK v17.1.0 ser_s132_hci example with the PCA10040 board.

Q) Does the INFOCENTER not explain the serialization examples?

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/sdk_nrf5_v17.1.0/examples.html

I don't see a README or an explanation about the ser_s132_hci example.

Q) ser_s132_hci example is about sending HCI commands (like HCI RESET, HCI DISCONNECT) via USB VCOM, right?

Since I can't find the README file, I wish to ask this to check whether I have understood correctly.

My plan is to create a Windows desktop Application that sends HCI commands to the nRF52, where the nRF52 will be a BLE peripheral.

Q) If this example is about sending HCI commands to configure the nRF52,

what is the HCI command to set the public or random static address?

In other words, is there a HCI command that is similar to the sd_ble_gap_addr_set()?

Thank you!

[Kenneth]

Dont' use the serializer api, it's really only intended if you can't run both the BLE stack and application on the same SoC, then you could use two nRF5 devices by using the serialized api of the softdevice BLE controller between the two. Even if you were to connect the serialized api to a Windows computer, it would require considerably work to implement for instance security procedures, so I don't recommend it. 

Instead I suggest to look at either of these two suggestion:

1. Look at the HCI example in the nRF Connect SDK (can be connected through UART or USB):

https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/latest/zephyr/samples/bluetooth/hci_uart/README.html 

 nRF5x support within the Zephyr Project RTOS 

 nRF52840-DK as HCI-UART based on zephyr issue 

There is no (afaik) native Host controller in Windows, so I am not sure how this can be implemented with Windows.

2. Alternatively (and maybe the best if you want to control this from Windows), check out:
Using Bluetooth Shell 

Best regards,
Kenneth

[Matthew K]

Thanks Kenneth! This is exactly what I've been looking for.

Can you check my last original question:
What is the HCI command to set the public or random static address?
In other words, is there a HCI command that is similar to the sd_ble_gap_addr_set()?

I'll run the GitHub example on my nRF52 board.
https://github.com/nrfconnect/sdk-zephyr/tree/main/samples/bluetooth/hci_uart

Let me also read about the HCI SLIP:
https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/sdk_nrf5_v17.1.0/ser_phy_uart_hci_page.html

Thank you so much!

[Kenneth]

Not tried it myself, but try to check out:

sdc_hci_cmd_vs_zephyr_write_bd_addr

[Matthew K]

Thank you Kenneth. In the meantime, similar to

HCI_READ_BD_ADDR
HCI_LE_SET_ADVERTISING_SET_RANDOM_ADDRESS

is there a HCI command that is similar to the sd_ble_gap_addr_set() or sdc_hci_cmd_vs_zephyr_write_bd_addr?

If possible, I only want to use HCI commands only.

Since that SoftDevice Controller (sdc) function is a Vendor Specific (VS) HCI command,

does this mean there is no "pure/SIG defined" HCI command for setting the PUBLIC address?

Thank you!

[Kenneth]

Matthew K said:

Since that SoftDevice Controller (sdc) function is a Vendor Specific (VS) HCI command,

does this mean there is no "pure/SIG defined" HCI command for setting the PUBLIC address?

That is my understanding.

Kenneth