master control panel: how does it work?

[chadrick]

I have a couple of questions with the MCP.

Before knowing MCP, I've been connecting with my nrf51-DK with the nordic master control app installed in my smartphone. Opening MCP shows that it has what is called a 'master emulator' and it seems to be directly connected to the nrF51-dk via usb-connection.

Q1. In order to use MCP, the user has to flash some firmware to nRF51-DK. why is this necessary? Is this flashing a new softdevice or some other firmware that isn't actually installed into the nRF51 but the interfacing MCU?

Q2. so then the 'start discovery' feature isn't done actually scanning the blutooth signals in the air using the BT feature supported in my laptop, but instead actually directly connecting to the nrF51-DK via usb connetion?

[tesc]

Hi,

MCP on PC uses an nRF51 device (connectivity device) for Bluetooth radio and antenna. MCP for PC does not use PC hardware for Bluetooth, even if the PC has Bluetooth.

The connectivity software is installed on the nRF on the connectivity board, to let MCP use the BLE stack through the nRF dongle or DK. After starting discovery MCP will scan Bluetooth signals in the air, using the BLE stack on the nRF device.

This means that to use MCP on the PC, you will need an additional DK or dongle to be used with MCP.

Regards, Terje

[chadrick]

thank you. I guess I'll need to buy another dongle....