New Functionality in 3.1.x! BLE!

Ok, this is cool. A CIQ app talking BLE to another device! They showed an example where you could unlock a car using BLE from a watch, for example.

The 3.1.0x-beta1 SDK has the doc, as well as two example apps talking to the Nordic Thingy52. At the Norid breakout, they gave everyone a Thingy52, as well as the two options to use this from the CIQ sim.

For the sim, you need a Nordic nRF52 DF board (~$40 US) or a Nordic nRF 52840 Dongle (~$12 US), and if you got them at the breakout, the firmware to work with CIQ came pre-loaded.

Right now I'm talking to this year's Thingy52 from the sim, and last years Thingy52 is talking to my fenix5+ with the special beta firmware that was also announced at the Summit.

I can see lots of possibilities for new apps, but no, I won't tell you what I'm thinking!

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mariusp over 7 years ago

Sweet... I just ordered the nRF52840 dongle and the Thingy. I have a cool application for this if I can get this working.

Do you need any special firmware for the dongle?

jim_m_58 over 7 years ago in reply to mariusp

Yes. It was discussed in the breakout at the Summit, but the HW we got there came pre-loaded so haven't looked for the instructions.

- is there a link to the info?

jim_m_58 over 7 years ago in reply to mariusp

BTW, I'll probably post the code for something I got working with the thingy in the next couple days. A background process in a watch face to display the temperature and battery level from the thingy.

mariusp over 7 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

I got the dongle the Thingy today and was able to connect to the Thingy using the NRF connect BLE app. The simulator however can't connect to the dongle for some reason. I get 'BLE Initialization Failed'. I guess I need the magic firmware for CIQ to work... Why would they not include that in the SDK?

---- edit -

I found the link to firmware on the developer guide shipped with the SDK. It's not working with the dongle though... Looks like it would only work with the NRF52 kit (the $39 box). I got it on order now and will try again when I receive it.

OttawaDeveloper over 7 years ago

Sorry if i have missed something, i have not been able to find much documentation in the beta SDK or elsewhere.
So there are generic USB to BLE dongles, i have 2. With this on the PC(windows) i can see lots of BLE devices appear.
I am wondering why the simulator needs the nordic nRF52x hardware. Could it not be made to use the generic ones?
Beyond BLE radio communication with the target device, is the nordic providing some required added functionality?
Is this new capability limited to working with Thingy52 or can it be used for interface with any BLE device?

Chris Hanger over 6 years ago in reply to mariusp

I am having the same problem. Running on a MAC, using nRF Connect, I have installed new firmware to the dongle, but CIQ still doesn't recognize the port. Have you had any success?

jim_m_58 over 6 years ago in reply to Chris Hanger

Works for me on windows. You just need to set the comm port correctly for BLE settings in the sim.

OttawaDeveloper over 6 years ago

Hi i am a bit confused as there seems to be several related products from Nordiq:

1) nRF52-DK

2) nRF52840-dongle

3) nRF52840-DK

Garmin docs mostly mention nRF52-DK.

My interest is in developing a Connect IQ app which communicates over BLE with an existing BLE device. I will not be developing the BLE device, just communicating with a pre-existing device. I will use the Garmin Connect IQ simulator to develop for a Fenix 5 target.

My feeling is that for this the nRF52840-dongle looks simplest and i think it will do the job for my case, but i am a bit unsure and want to get it right before purchasing it.

I would be handy to clarify the differences between these 3 parts, specifically in the context of how it is used for Garmin development.

thanks

jim_m_58 over 6 years ago in reply to OttawaDeveloper

See this thread.

https://forums.garmin.com/developer/connect-iq/f/app-ideas/206704/developing-a-ciq-ble-client-for-treadmill-and-fitness-equipment

I use both the nrf52-DK and the dongle with the sim.

One thing is you mention the fenix5. That doesn't support CIQ ble. the fenix5 plus devices do.

OttawaDeveloper over 5 years ago

I did some searching to find the list of garmin devices that currently support BLE programmability.
I did not find it anywhere so far.

I saw some listed here in the initial announcement, but presume that others have been added since that was over a year ago:
- forums.garmin.com/.../connect-iq-3-1-connects-you-to-the-world
The Connect IQ BLE APIs are available for: Edge 1030, D2 Delta Series, fēnix 5 Plus Series, Forerunner 245 Series, Forerunner 645 Music, Forerunner 945, MARQ, vívoactive 3 Music

I also found this interesting app from Jim, perhaps this is a better list of supported devices?
apps.garmin.com/.../9bcc8b66-8385-4afb-b93e-f69e01422284

Does that mean that all of these devices now support BLE programmability?
Is there a better place to look and find out which devices are supported?