nRF8001 DevKit usage with FPGA and Embedded Linux

[bgun]

I would like to develop an application with nRF8001 DevKit. The master emulator of this kit is an USB Dongle and it is originally meant for PC connection. My final goal for the project is to run it on an FPGA (possibly through Embedded Linux). Regarding this goal, I have some questions.

1. Is the master emulator (USB Dongle) compatible with Linux? Are there any open-source drivers or from Nordic?

1a) If there is a driver for Linux, can I use it with Embedded Linux or do I have to make some modifications to it?

1b) If there isn't a driver for Linux, can I write my own Embedded Linux driver (no prior experience on drivers)? Are there any similar/reference drivers?

2. Is it possible to use the nRF8001 chip, not the USB Dongle, with FPGA as a master, possibly through serial interface (SPI/UART)?

[Asbjørn]

Q1: I'm not sure on which version of the kit you have. For the kit with the nRF2739 dongle we don't have any alternative to the Windows implementation. On the kit with the PCA10000 dongle there's an option to run the Segger drivers in Linux at least.

Q2: Yes, this is possible. The nRF8001 has a ACI interface which is basically a SPI interface with a couple of additional handshaking signals. So yes, you are able to connect it directly to the FPGA. Please have a look in the Interface and ACI chapters of the nRF8001 product specification.