Other Parts Discussed in Thread: CC2640, CC2650, CC1350, BLE-STACK
This sticky post provides updates to Bluetooth® SIG Certification status for Texas Instruments SimpleLink™ CC26xx and CC13xx wireless MCUs that support Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This information provided is informative with Bluetooth SIG providing the normative requirements.
The following SimpleLink wireless MCUs are covered by this update:
- SimpleLink CC2640R2F Bluetooth low energy wireless MCU
- SimpleLink CC2640 Bluetooth low energy wireless MCU
- SimpleLink CC2650 multi-standard wireless MCU
- SimpleLink CC1350 dual band wireless MCU
Qualified Components
The Bluetooth low energy software stack (BLE-Stack) for CC26xx and CC13xx BLE enabled wireless MCUs uses Bluetooth Qualified Components which allow customers to substantially reduce the testing required to meet Bluetooth end product listing (EPL) qualification requirements while providing flexibility to the device configuration. Bluetooth SIG rules specify that Qualified Components have a validity period of three (3) years at which time they may not be available for new End Product Listings (EPLs). This update provides details as to which version of the TI BLE-Stack are available for Bluetooth Qualification (also referred to as Bluetooth Certification) so customers can select the version of software for development.
To assist customers during the Bluetooth qualification (or certification) process, TI may provide Bluetooth test evidence in the form of a Qualified Design (QDID) which can be referenced during the qualification process to reduce the test effort needed to obtain a Bluetooth end product listing. In accordance with current Bluetooth qualification requirements, TI provided QDIDs may have limitations on use for new product listings, including but not limited to a time-bound validity period and compliance to Bluetooth test requirements that are updated or mandated after TI publishes a QDID. In many cases, compliance to Bluetooth requirements may necessitate that the customer utilize an updated SDK from TI that meets then-current qualification requirements at the time the product is completing the qualification process. TI recommends that customers review the Bluetooth qualification requirements as part of their product planning and development process. TI recommends directing questions relating to Bluetooth SIG qualification requirements to a Bluetooth Qualified Consultant (BQC). A detailed guide for qualifying your product can be found at www.ti.com/ble-qualification
Bluetooth 4.2 for CC2640R2F / CC2640 / CC2650 / CC1350
For new end product listings that reference Bluetooth v4.2 QDID 82185, this QDID remains valid during the 3-year validity period following the Qualification Assessment Date. Due to mandatory changes to the Bluetooth qualification test requirements, an SDK that meets Bluetooth Erratum 10734 is required. For new qualifications after the expiration of QDID 82185, a new SDK will be required in order to qualify your product. Please register with the “Alert Me” on the SDK download page in order to receive the latest updates from TI
The following SDKs supporting the Bluetooth 4.2 specification are impacted by this expiration of Qualified Design ID (QDID) 82185, effective June 22nd 2019:
- BLE-Stack 2.2.2 – Released March 2018 for CC2650/CC2640
- BLE-Stack 2.03.05 – Released Jan 2019 - part of CC13x0 SDKv.2.40
- BLE-Stack 2.03.06 – Released Mar 2019 - part of CC13x0 SDKv.3.10
- BLE-Stack 3.02.00 – Released Jul 2018 - part of CC2640R2 SDKv.2.20
- BLE-Stack 3.02.01 – Released Oct 2018 - part of CC2640R2 SDKv.2.30
- BLE-Stack 3.02.02 – Released Jan 2019 - part of CC2640R2 SDKv.2.40
- BLE-Stack 3.02.03 – Released Apr 2019 - part of CC2640R2 SDKv.3.10
In summary, Qualified Design ID (QDID) 82185 is no longer valid for new End Product Listing qualifications as of June 22, 2019 ("component expiration date"). Products that have completed the Bluetooth Qualification process by the component expiration date are not impacted by this change in certification status.
Bluetooth 5.x for CC2640R2F
The SimpleLink™ CC2640R2 SDK includes two BLE components,
- BLE-Stack (Bluetooth 4.2 Features) currently Bluetooth 4.2 Qualified (QDID 82185), targeting Bluetooth 5.1 Qualification with SDKv3.20
- BLE5-Stack (Bluetooth 5.0 Features) which is Bluetooth 5.0 Qualified (QDID 118739 and 118740) since SDKv2.30 with BLE5-Stack v1.01.03
The BLE-Stack component part of CC2640R2 SDK v3.20 is targeting Bluetooth 5.1 Qualification (using same Bluetooth 4.2 feature set as defined by QDID 82185) and will have updated QDID for that release with anticipated availability in July 2019. TI recommends that customers migrate their applications to CC2640R2F SDKv3.20 if they do not plan to complete Bluetooth qualification process by the Bluetooth 4.2 component expiration date.
Bluetooth 5.x for CC2640 / CC2650 / CC1350
The qualification for CC2640 / CC2650 / CC1350 devices follows shortly afterwards with updated SDKs. Please register for "Alert Me" updates