SDK UART coexistence example

This example demonstrates how nRF5 SDK for Mesh and nRF5 SDK examples can be used together at the same time. It is built around two examples and has two parts:

• The mesh part of this example implements the light switch client example from the nRF5 SDK for Mesh.
• The BLE part of the example implements the ble_app_uart example from the nRF5 SDK, except for the following changes:
  • The BSP events SLEEP, DISCONNECT and WHITELIST_OFF are ignored. This makes the board buttons only control the mesh part of the application.
  • The advertising interval is increased to allow more time for the mesh stack.
  • The light switch servers can be controlled over BLE UART by sending the light switch client button number to be simulated.

As the result of running this example, you'll be able to use the mesh network in which this example can replace the light switch client example.

Before you start testing this coexistence example, see the following pages:

• Integrating Mesh into nRF5 SDK examples
• Light switch example and Light switch client details and Mesh APIs

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Setup

You can find the source code of the SDK UART coexistence example in the following nRF5 SDK for Mesh folder: <InstallFolder>/examples/sdk_coexist/ble_app_uart_coexist

The source code of the light switch client example is located at the following path: <InstallFolder>/examples/light_switch/client

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Testing the example

1. Copy the ble_app_uart_coexist folder into the examples/ble_peripheral folder at your nRF5 SDK installation path.
2. Open the Segger Embedded Studio project at ble_app_uart_coexist/pca10040/s132/ses/ble_app_uart_pca10040_s132.emProject.
3. Add MESH_ROOT to your Segger Embedded Studio global macro list:
   1. From the SES menu bar, click Tools > Options....
   2. In the left column, click Building.
   3. In right column, double click Global macros.
   4. Add your mesh root directory in a new line: MESH_ROOT=<path to your mesh installation>.
4. Program the Light Switch example devices as described in the Light switch example, with the following exception:
   • Replace the light switch client with examples/ble_peripheral/ble_app_uart_coexist/pca10040/s132/ses/Output/Release/Exe/ble_app_uart_pca10040_s132.hex.

You can now run the two coexisting examples in parallel or in sequence:

• Run the light switch example as described in Light switch example.
• Run the ble_app_uart example as described in the nRF5 SDK documentation.
  • Write the hexadecimal ASCII codes equivalent to one of the digits (1, 2, 3, or 4) in the UART RX characteristic to simulate a button press.