Door 12 – nRF Connect SDK: Zephyr RTOS vs Bare Metal option
nRF Connect SDK
Essential toolkit for IoT development
The nRF Connect SDK is a versatile and unified software development kit designed for creating IoT solutions using Nordic’s nRF54, nRF53, nRF52, nRF70, and nRF91 Series wireless devices. It provides a flexible framework for building secure, energy-efficient products that range from lightweight applications on resource-constrained devices to complex, feature-rich systems.
Built on the open-source Zephyr RTOS and enhanced with Nordic’s proprietary software, the SDK comes as a single, optimized package tailored to Nordic’s hardware portfolio. Out of the box, developers gain access to a wide set of resources—sample applications, protocol stacks, networking libraries, drivers, and security features—allowing them to concentrate on innovating and differentiating their products rather than reinventing the basics.
The SDK can be expanded through Add-ons, contributed by Nordic and its partners, which deliver extra functionality such as specialized applications, protocol support, or even complete SDKs for targeted technologies and use cases.
Alongside Zephyr-based development, the SDK also offers a Bare Metal option for the nRF54L Series. This path is ideal for straightforward Bluetooth Low Energy applications that don’t require an RTOS or advanced features, giving developers the freedom to choose the approach that best suits their project.
Nordic supports the SDK with a comprehensive suite of development tools—including nRF Connect for Desktop, Mobile, and VS Code—providing a full IDE environment for building next-generation IoT applications. To help developers get started quickly, Nordic also offers interactive online courses through the Nordic Developer Academy, featuring hands-on exercises across a variety of topics.
Zephyr RTOS vs Bare Metal option
Zephyr RTOS and the nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal option are two different firmware paths within the same nRF Connect SDK environment, mainly for nRF54L Series.
Zephyr RTOS
Zephyr RTOS is an open-source, real-time operating system designed specifically for secure, low-power, and connected embedded devices. It features a small-footprint kernel, making it suitable for resource-constrained systems, and is highly configurable and modular to support a wide range of applications—from simple sensors to complex IoT devices. Zephyr includes a rich ecosystem with middleware, security features, device drivers, networking stacks, and supports multiple CPU architectures. It is the foundation of Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF Connect SDK and is recognized as the de facto industry standard for embedded RTOS solutions.
Choose Zephyr RTOS if
- You need advanced Bluetooth LE features, Central role, multiprotocol (Thread, Zigbee, Matter, etc.), or ecosystem integrations.
- Your application is complex enough to benefit from multithreading, Zephyr drivers, and rich middleware.
- You want a fully scalable platform across all Nordic device families.
Bare Metal Option
The nRF Connect SDK Bare Metal option is a new, alternative development path within the nRF Connect SDK environment that enables single-threaded bare metal Bluetooth LE application development on the nRF54L Series. It is designed for developers creating simple Bluetooth LE applications, such as straightforward data exchange applications requiring connectivity (in applications like medical devices, sports wearables, trackers, or beacons), that do not benefit from an RTOS or advanced features.
Choose Bare Metal if
- You are building a simple Bluetooth LE Peripheral‑only device on nRF54L, with no need for Central role or advanced BLE features.
- You want a programming model and SoftDevice API close to the legacy nRF5 SDK.
- You care about minimal complexity and slightly lower overhead, and single‑bank DFU is attractive.
Participate and Win!
How does the competition work?
You can win a Chipolo LOOP or CARD and a Nordic DevKit of your choice on behalf of your company.
To enter, select which Chipolo finder you would like to receive, as well as which Nordic boards you would like to win (you can select multiple options, and the lottery will decide which one you may win).
Fill out the form now and, with a little luck, you will receive the combination of your wishes:
Registration Form
Unfortunately, the competition has now ended. Discover the products in our shop and get in touch with our Nordic experts.
Learn more about the prizes
Nordic Semiconductor is a global leader of ultra-low-power wireless technologies and a long term partner of Rutronik and is offering you the opportunity to win one of their development hardware. Participate in our advent calendar and explore the world of Power Management, Short Range, Wi-Fi and Cellular.
nRF54L15-DK
The nRF54L15 DK (Development Kit) features the nRF54L15 wireless SoC (System-on-Chip) and can emulate the nRF54L10, and nRF54L05 wireless SoCs. The affordable DK makes all features available to the developer on a single board.
nRF54LM20-DK
The nRF54LM20-DK is a development kit for the nRF54LM20A wireless SoC supporting Bluetooth LE, Matter, Aliro, Thread, Zigbee, and 2.4 GHz proprietary protocols (up to 4 Mbps).
nPM1304-EK
The nPM1304 Evaluation Kit for the nPM1304, a highly sophisticated Power Management IC (PMIC) with battery charging and unique system management features such as accurate fuel gauge, watchdog & boot timer, ship & hibernate mode and much more.
nPM1300-EK
The nPM1300 Evaluation Kit (EK) is a hardware platform for evaluating and configuring the nPM1300 Power Management IC (PMIC) through code-free integration with the nPM PowerUP desktop app.
nPM2100-EK
The nPM2100 Evaluation Kit (EK) is a hardware platform for evaluating and configuring the nPM2100 Power Management IC (PMIC) designed for non-rechargeable batteries, with seamless code-free configuration through the nPM PowerUP desktop app.
Power Profiler Kit 2
The Power Profiler Kit II (PPK2) is a standalone unit, which can measure and optionally supply currents all the way from sub-uA and as high as 1A on all Nordic DKs, in addition to external hardware.
nRF7002-DK
The nRF7002 DK is the development kit for the nRF7002, and nRF7001 Wi-Fi 6 Companion ICs. It contains everything needed to get started developing on a single board. The DK features an nRF5340 multiprotocol System-on-Chip (SoC) as a host processor for the nRF7002.
nRF9151-DK
The nRF9151 DK is an affordable, pre-certified single board development kit for evaluation and development on the nRF9151 System-in-Package (SiP) for LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS and DECT NR+. It has a dedicated LTE-M, NB-IoT and DECT NR+ antenna that supports a wide range of bands to operate globally.
Thingy:91 X
The Nordic Thingy:91 X is a battery-operated prototyping platform for cellular IoT based on the nRF9151 System-in-Package (SiP) supporting LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS and NR+, and certified for global operation. It is the ideal platform for rapidly developing a prototype for any cellular IoT concept, and is especially suited for asset-tracking applications. Nordic Thingy:91 X enables location tracking using cellular (MCELL and SCELL), Wi-Fi, or GNSS, in combination with nRF Cloud Location Services.
On top of this you have the chance to win a finder from our customer Chipolo. This product is a lightweight, water-resistant item finder designed to help you find your missing valuable items.
Chipolo LOOP
Rechargeable tracker with flexible silicone strap for easy attachment. Enjoy the freedom of universal compatibility with Apple “Find My” or Google “Find My Device.”
Chipolo CARD
Thin, rechargeable tracker that fits perfectly in your wallet. Discreetly slim yet impressively loud, CARD helps you keep track of your most important flat items. Universally compatible with Apple's “Find My” or Google's “Find My Device”.
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