Can the nrf5340 be used as a "companion" to nrf9160?

[Bent Okking]

If I would like to add Bluetooth capability to the nrf9160, can the nrf5340 be used as a "companion" MCU?

Would be great if there is a pre-build firmware for the nrf5340 that can be communicate with SPI/UART and the nrf9160 can use it as an external peripheral, without too much custom development.

Potentially, could also be the other way around that the nrf9160 could be used as a peripheral to the nrf5340? For GPS/LTE capability.

Similar to how I understand the nrf7002 is intended to be used for WiFi.

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

If I would like to add Bluetooth capability to the nrf9160, can the nrf5340 be used as a "companion" MCU?

Would be great if there is a pre-build firmware for the nrf5340 that can be communicate with SPI/UART and the nrf9160 can use it as an external peripheral, without too much custom development.

You can run the host on nRF9160, and the HCI on the nRF5x-device, similar to how the lte_ble_gateway sample does:

https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/2.1.2/nrf/samples/nrf9160/lte_ble_gateway/README.html

Is this the split you're after?

Potentially, could also be the other way around that the nrf9160 could be used as a peripheral to the nrf5340? For GPS/LTE capability.

Yes, this is also possible, by using the serial lte modem application on the nRF9160 side:

https://developer.nordicsemi.com/nRF_Connect_SDK/doc/2.1.2/nrf/applications/serial_lte_modem/README.html

The external host controller requires a UART connection towards the nRF9160 for this setup to work.

Kind regards,

Håkon