The nRF52 series by Nordic Semiconductor has been a game-changer in the world of low-power wireless communication. Whether you’re working on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ANT, or 2.4 GHz proprietary protocols, the nRF52 family offers versatile and robust solutions. Choosing the right development kit, however, can be overwhelming with several options available. In this article, we’ll compare the different nRF52 development kits and help you decide which one suits your project best.
Overview of nRF52 Series
Before diving into the development kits, let’s briefly discuss what makes the nRF52 series so popular. The series is built on a powerful ARM Cortex-M4 CPU and offers excellent RF performance, low power consumption, and multiple I/O peripherals. The key features that make the nRF52 series attractive include:
- Bluetooth 5.3 Support: With improvements in speed, range, and throughput.
- Power Efficiency: Ideal for battery-operated applications.
- Flexible Multiprotocol Support: BLE, ANT, and proprietary 2.4 GHz communication.
- Advanced Security Features: Including hardware cryptographic accelerators.
- Extensive SDK: Nordic’s Software Development Kit (SDK) offers various examples, libraries, and APIs to speed up development.
Now let’s move on to the development kits themselves.
1. nRF52832 Development Kit (PCA10040)
Chip: nRF52832
Flash/RAM: 512 KB / 64 KB
GPIO: 48 pins
Peripherals: SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC, etc.
Power Source: USB or external battery
BLE Support: Bluetooth 5.0
Programming and Debugging: On-board Segger J-Link
Best For: General BLE Applications: If you are looking to develop basic BLE applications, the nRF52832 development kit is an excellent choice. It provides all the necessary features for simple BLE projects like beacons, fitness trackers, or IoT nodes.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Versatile I/O options.
- Supported by the nRF Connect SDK and Nordic’s SoftDevices.
Cons:
- Lacks some advanced features found in more recent nRF52 chips.
2. nRF52840 Development Kit (PCA10056)
Chip: nRF52840
Flash/RAM: 1 MB / 256 KB
GPIO: 48 pins
Peripherals: USB, SPI, I2C, UART, NFC, PWM, ADC, etc.
Power Source: USB, external battery
BLE Support: Bluetooth 5.3
Programming and Debugging: On-board Segger J-Link
Best For: High-End BLE Applications: If your project requires advanced Bluetooth features like Long Range, high throughput, or direction-finding, the nRF52840 is the way to go. It’s also a great option for USB devices thanks to its integrated USB 2.0 controller.
Pros:
- Largest memory capacity in the nRF52 family.
- Supports BLE 5.3, Thread, Zigbee, and 802.15.4.
- Great for advanced applications like mesh networking.
Cons:
- More expensive than the nRF52832 development kit.
3. nRF52833 Development Kit (PCA10100)
Chip: nRF52833
Flash/RAM: 512 KB / 128 KB
GPIO: 42 pins
Peripherals: USB, SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC, NFC
Power Source: USB, external battery
BLE Support: Bluetooth 5.1
Programming and Debugging: On-board Segger J-Link
Best For: Cost-Effective with USB Support: If you need a development kit with USB capabilities but don’t require the extensive memory of the nRF52840, the nRF52833 is a good choice. It strikes a balance between performance and price, making it ideal for mid-range projects.
Pros:
- Supports Bluetooth Direction Finding (AoA/AoD).
- Better RAM than the nRF52832.
- Cost-effective compared to the nRF52840.
Cons:
- Less flash memory compared to the nRF52840.
4. nRF52811 Development Kit (PCA10056e)
Chip: nRF52811
Flash/RAM: 192 KB / 24 KB
GPIO: 48 pins
Peripherals: SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC
Power Source: USB, external battery
BLE Support: Bluetooth 5.1 (including Direction Finding)
Programming and Debugging: On-board Segger J-Link
Best For: Entry-Level BLE Projects: The nRF52811 development kit is ideal for cost-sensitive applications where you need Bluetooth 5 features like AoA (Angle of Arrival) and AoD (Angle of Departure) without needing large memory or advanced features.
Pros:
- Inexpensive.
- Ideal for Bluetooth 5.1 projects like direction-finding applications.
Cons:
- Limited memory.
- Fewer advanced features compared to other nRF52 kits.
5. nRF5340 Development Kit (PCA10095)
Chip: nRF5340 (Dual-Core: Application Core and Network Core)
Flash/RAM: 1 MB / 512 KB (App Core), 256 KB / 64 KB (Net Core)
GPIO: 48 pins
Peripherals: USB, SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC, NFC
Power Source: USB, external battery
BLE Support: Bluetooth 5.3
Programming and Debugging: On-board Segger J-Link
Best For: Advanced Multiprotocol Projects: The nRF5340 is Nordic’s most advanced SoC, perfect for cutting-edge applications that require dual-core architecture. One core can handle network operations (e.g., BLE, Zigbee), while the other core processes the application logic, making it suitable for complex IoT, wearable, or industrial projects.
Pros:
- Dual-core architecture provides great flexibility.
- Ideal for power-sensitive and complex applications.
- Supports multiple protocols like Bluetooth 5.3, Thread, and Zigbee.
Cons:
- The most expensive in the nRF52 family.
- Overkill for simpler BLE projects.
Conclusion
Choosing the right development kit depends on the complexity of your project and the specific features you need. Here’s a quick summary:
| Development Kit | Chip | Flash/RAM | GPIO | Peripherals | Power Source | BLE Support | Programming/Debugging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| nRF52832 Development Kit (PCA10040) | nRF52832 | 512 KB / 64 KB | 48 pins | SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC, etc. | USB, external battery | Bluetooth 5.0 | On-board Segger J-Link |
| nRF52840 Development Kit (PCA10056) | nRF52840 | 1 MB / 256 KB | 48 pins | USB, SPI, I2C, UART, NFC, PWM, ADC, etc. | USB, external battery | Bluetooth 5.3 | On-board Segger J-Link |
| nRF52833 Development Kit (PCA10100) | nRF52833 | 512 KB / 128 KB | 42 pins | USB, SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC, NFC | USB, external battery | Bluetooth 5.1 | On-board Segger J-Link |
| nRF52811 Development Kit (PCA10056e) | nRF52811 | 192 KB / 24 KB | 48 pins | SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC | USB, external battery | Bluetooth 5.0 | On-board Segger J-Link |
| nRF5340 Development Kit (PCA10095) | nRF5340 (Dual-Core: Application Core and Network Core) | 1 MB / 512 KB (App Core), 256 KB / 64 KB (Net Core) | 48 pins | USB, SPI, I2C, UART, PWM, ADC, NFC | USB, external battery | Bluetooth 5.3 | On-board Segger J-Link |
- nRF52832 Development Kit: Best for general BLE applications and cost-conscious projects.
- nRF52840 Development Kit: Ideal for advanced Bluetooth applications and USB integration.
- nRF52833 Development Kit: A balance between performance and price, suitable for direction-finding and USB.
- nRF52811 Development Kit: Perfect for entry-level projects with Bluetooth 5.1 features.
- nRF5340 Development Kit: For high-end, complex applications requiring dual-core processing.
No matter which kit you choose, Nordic’s nRF Connect SDK and Segger Embedded Studio will ensure a smooth development experience. Happy coding!
