Bluetooth NCP Commander#

Bluetooth NCP Commander is a Simplicity Studio® 5 (SSv5) tool for sending BGAPI commands to an NCP target application during development.

Two versions of the tool are available in SSv5:

  • Bluetooth NCP Commander Standalone

  • Bluetooth NCP Commander

Project Configurator Tools tab with NCP Commander highlightedProject Configurator Tools tab with NCP Commander highlighted

Bluetooth NCP Commander Standalone#

The Standalone version is provided for customers who need to control an NCP device on custom hardware. The Standalone version can access the system COM ports that are not exposed in SSv5. Users who wish to work outside of the SSv5 environment can do so by copying the directory <SSv5-install>/developer/adapter_packs/ncp_commander.

The Standalone version cannot access parts over Ethernet, which the integrated SSv5 version can.

Bluetooth NCP Commander#

To open Bluetooth NCP Commander, make sure that the correct board is connected. If you are just getting started, build and flash a project based on Bluetooth - NCP. In the Project Configurator COMPATIBLE TOOLS tab, click Launch on the Bluetooth NCP Commander card.

In the Connection Manager dialog, select the target device and click CONNECT.

Connection ManagerConnection Manager

Once the UART connection to the mainboard is established, an Interactive view opens, which you can use to issue BGAPI commands. Note that the connected device is shown in the lower right. You can change target devices without leaving Bluetooth NCP Commander by clicking on that area. It will show "Disconnected" if not connected to any device.

Check the log for the NCP target response and status messages. To start advertising, click the "+" button next to "Advertise – Peripheral" to create an advertiser set.

Plus button used to create advertise setsPlus button used to create advertise sets

Select the desired advertising mode, create custom advertising packets if desired, and click Start.

Advertiser modeAdvertiser mode

When advertising, the NCP target example accepts Bluetooth connections. If you connect to a WSTK or with another central device (for example with your phone), you can see the events and commands on the log.

Log for a phone connectionLog for a phone connection

You can also issue commands manually. For example, you can issue the 'system hello' command at any time to verify that communication between the host and the device is working. The Smart Console provides auto completion and documentation for the possible commands.

Smart Console showing autocompleteSmart Console showing autocomplete

NCP commander also supports creating a GATT database. To generate a basic GATT database, open the Local GATT view, and click Create Basic GATT. The following database is generated.

Local GATT databaseLocal GATT database

Here you can add services and characteristics. You can also read out the local GATT database from the device.

For more information about using NCP Commander and developing Bluetooth NCP-Host applications, see AN1259: Using the Silicon Labs v3.x Bluetooth Stack in Network Co-Processor Mode.