A new RTOS-independent software solution for Bluetooth LE development, designed to ease developers' migration from the legacy nRF5 SDK and nRF52 series to the next-generation nRF54L series.
Nordic Semiconductor, a global leader in low-power wireless connectivity solutions, today launched the nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal Option, a new software solution for its next-generation nRF54L series ultra-low-power wireless SoCs. This RTOS-agnostic Zephyr option enables the development of simple Bluetooth LE applications, making it ideal for designs that do not benefit from an RTOS or advanced features.
Simplified migration to the nRF54L series and optimized upgrade to Zephyr RTOS
Built around Nordic’s widely adopted SoftDevice architecture, the Bare Metal option features architectural and API similarities to the nRF5 SDK, simplifying migration for developers migrating from the nRF52 series and nRF5 SDK to the next-generation nRF54L series ultra-low-power wireless SoCs. It also offers a streamlined upgrade to Zephyr RTOS-based development within the same SDK and development environment, allowing developers to scale their applications as needed.
Strategic commitment to developer flexibility and long-term support
“With the Bare Metal option, we are lowering the barrier to entry for developing simple Bluetooth applications, while offering a clear upgrade path to the Zephyr RTOS and the full capabilities of the nRF Connect SDK for new and existing customers,” said Oyvind Strom, Executive Vice President of the Short Range Business Unit at Nordic Semiconductor. “This software option is a significant addition that reflects our goal of supporting a wide range of developers and applications. Nordic’s commitment to the world-class nRF Connect SDK and the Zephyr community remains steadfast, and this strategy continues to shape our long-term direction.”
Initial capabilities and future functionalities
At launch, developers can leverage the SoftDevice S115 for exclusively peripheral applications. Later this year, Nordic will release additional SoftDevice features, enabling core and multi-role capabilities, ensuring future scalability for a wider range of applications.
Flexible development with a unified SDK environment
Both bare metal and Zephyr RTOS development coexist within the nRF Connect SDK and the nRF Connect environment for VS Code. This unified approach allows developers to choose the option that best suits their application needs without switching tools or workflows.
Optimized firmware updates and independent RTOS integration
The Bare Metal development model also introduces a single-bank Device Firmware Update (DFU) mechanism, optimizing non-volatile memory (NVM) usage and freeing up more space for application code. A single-bank DFU solution for Zephyr RTOS applications will be added in future releases of the nRF Connect SDK.
Additionally, Bare Metal software components are RTOS-independent, enabling integration with third-party RTOS solutions outside of the nRF Connect SDK, offering greater flexibility for embedded system developers.
Reinforcing Nordic's developer-first strategy
This release reinforces Nordic Semiconductor's commitment to offering flexible development paths tailored to the needs of embedded developers, whether optimizing simplified application use cases or building advanced multi-protocol systems.
