Gatt Server on nRF52840 dongle

[mreynier-cid]

Hello,

I would like to run a gatt server on a dongle on windows 11. I have tried with a realtek, using zadig and the gatt_server example it is working fine.

Now I have tried a builtin intel, it was working fine at the beginning but now I have this error and I am not able to use it anymore:

DEBUG:bumble.drivers:Probing driver class: rtk
DEBUG:bumble.drivers.rtk:USB device (8087, 0033) not in known list
DEBUG:bumble.drivers:Probing driver class: intel
DEBUG:bumble.drivers.intel:USB device (8087, 0033) not in known list
DEBUG:bumble.host:### HOST -> CONTROLLER: HCI_RESET_COMMAND
DEBUG:bumble.host:### CONTROLLER -> HOST: HCI_COMMAND_COMPLETE_EVENT:
  num_hci_command_packets: 32
  command_opcode:          HCI_RESET_COMMAND
  return_parameters:       HCI_UNKNOWN_HCI_COMMAND_ERROR
WARNING:bumble.host:HCI_RESET_COMMAND failed (HCI_UNKNOWN_HCI_COMMAND_ERROR)
ERROR:bumble.host:!!! Exception while sending command: HCI_Error(hci/HCI_UNKNOWN_HCI_COMMAND_ERROR [0x1])
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\cprod\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python313\Lib\site-packages\bumble\host.py", line 677, in send_command
    raise hci.HCI_Error(status)
bumble.hci.HCI_Error: HCI_Error(hci/HCI_UNKNOWN_HCI_COMMAND_ERROR [0x1])
DEBUG:bumble.transport.usb:waiting for IN[4] transfer cancellation to be done...
DEBUG:bumble.transport.usb:IN[4] transfer cancellation done
DEBUG:bumble.transport.usb:waiting for IN[2] transfer cancellation to be done...
DEBUG:bumble.transport.usb:IN[2] transfer cancellation done
DEBUG:bumble.transport.usb:USB event loop done
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Users\cprod\Downloads\bumble-main\bumble-main\examples\run_gatt_server.py", line 156, in <module>
    asyncio.run(main())
    ~~~~~~~~~~~^^^^^^^^

Finally, I have tried with the recommended nRF52840 dongle, I have tried to connect directly using the serial port ( python .\run_gatt_server.py device1.json serial:COM4); First it was working not throwing any error but the server was not advertised (i was not able to find it using ble application on android phone).
Disconnecting/conencting the dongle I have now this new error:

  
  DEBUG:bumble.drivers:Probing driver class: rtk
DEBUG:bumble.drivers.rtk:USB metadata not found
DEBUG:bumble.drivers:Probing driver class: intel
DEBUG:bumble.drivers.intel:USB metadata not sufficient
DEBUG:bumble.host:### HOST -> CONTROLLER: HCI_RESET_COMMAND
ERROR:asyncio:Exception in callback SerialTransport._poll_read()
handle: <TimerHandle when=6066.0038311 SerialTransport._poll_read()>
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\PythonSoftwareFoundation.Python.3.13_3.13.752.0_x64__qbz5n2kfra8p0\Lib\asyncio\events.py", line 89, in _run
    self._context.run(self._callback, *self._args)

Could you tell me if I am doing something wrong or missing something?

I want to have a reliable way to use bumble on windows but for now I would only recommand realtek that seems working fine.

Thanks for your help

[zxzxwu]

What kind of application do you use? Did you try to scan with nRF connect on Android?

[barbibulle]

Using an Intel controller requires loading the firmware into the the controller after a cold boot. The Windows driver does that, which explains why it was working for you the first time. But if you take over the use of the controller, I believe the Windows driver won't manage it anymore, so reloading of the FW is up to the Bumble driver. There is a Bumble driver for Intel controllers, which can load FW images, but it has only been tested with a few models, which is why you see the log line: USB device (8087, 0033) not in known list.
About the nrf52840 dongle, did you flash the hci_uart app on it? If so, it should work. But you need to check which COM port it ends up being exposed as by Windows, as that may change when you unplug/replug it.

[mreynier-cid]

Hello, Indeed after rebooting the PC, I need to reload driver for Intel controllers.
For the nrf52840 dongle, I don't remember but the com port was available. Anyway, I will keep using dongle from realtek which are the one that is tested and work with Bumble.

Thanks for your feedback