nRF5340 Netwrok Core and Application core

[tchag]

Hi

I have gone through the ncs documentation and have couple of questions reg the difference in network core and application core and reg the developing solution using nRF5340.

Development Env:

Hardware: nRF5340-DK

SW Tools and SDK: vscode, ncsv2.0.2 and Zephyr version: 3.0.9

1. I have started using nRF5340-DK and trying to develop an application using BLE to relay the data. This would be the basic advertiser with advertising as peripheral(connectable) with the custom BLE service to send and receive data. In the same solution I would also like to implement the DFU and will be adding hardware external peripherals (Sensors/ external flash).

If I am understood correctly, above all these features can be implemented using application core without using the network core. Could you please guide if I’m missing something or heading in the wrong direction? 

When I build my application currently, default network image is being built, and flashed along with my application.

2. I'm seeking clarification on what all can be ran on the network core. I understood that network core has reduced set of features compared to application core, but I would like to know in what scenarios it would be ideal to use the network core (independently/sharing with app core) and on how can I use the network core in the future development. 
3. Does my above requirement (1) does use the network core in any scenario. Please do help me if I’m missing something.

 

Thanks

Tchag

[Priyanka]

Hi,

Normally the applications involving radio communication and real-time processing tasks involving low-level radio protocol layers are used to flash onto the network core. The other samples are usually flashed onto the application core. But when I say flash onto the application core, it is not like the network core is not being used. 

Ideally always the application core runs from the startup but this can start the network core too, as application core is responsible for starting the network core and connecting GPIO pins and code , which is why the application core should be programmed even if the firmware is to be run only on the network core. Take a look at the empty firmware.

You can read more about these in the Working with nRF5340-DK documentation.

Best Regards,

Priyanka