nRF Desktop: Adding nRF21540 EK shield support

You can use the nRF Desktop application with the Developing with the nRF21540 EK shield, an RF front-end module (FEM) for the 2.4 GHz range extension. You can use the shield with any nRF Desktop HID application configured for a development kit that is fitted with Arduino-compatible connector (see the DK tab in Requirements). This means that the shield support is not available for nRF Desktop’s dedicated boards, such as nrf52840gmouse, nrf52kbd, or nrf52840dongle.

Low Latency Packet mode

You cannot use the RF front-end module (FEM) together with Low Latency Packet Mode (LLPM) due to timing requirements. You must disable the LLPM support in the nRF Desktop application (CONFIG_CAF_BLE_USE_LLPM) for builds with FEM.

Building with EK shield support

To build the application with the shield support, pass the SHIELD parameter to the build command. Make sure to also disable the LLPM support. For example, you can build the application for nrf52840dk/nrf52840 with nrf21540ek shield using the following command:

west build -b nrf52840dk/nrf52840 -- -DSHIELD=nrf21540ek -DCONFIG_CAF_BLE_USE_LLPM=n

For the multi-core build, you need to pass the SHIELD parameter to images built on both application and network core. The network core controls the FEM, but the application core needs to forward the needed pins to the network core. Use ipc_radio_ as the image_name parameter, because in the nRF Desktop application, network core runs using IPC radio firmware. The command for nrf5340dk/nrf5340/cpuapp with nrf21540ek shield would look as follows:

west build -b nrf5340dk/nrf5340/cpuapp -- -DSHIELD=nrf21540ek_fwd -Dipc_radio_SHIELD=nrf21540ek -DCONFIG_CAF_BLE_USE_LLPM=n

For detailed information about building an application using the nRF21540 EK, see the Building and programming with nRF21540 EK section in the Working with RF Front-end modules documentation.