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To overcome various challenges and stay ahead of the competition, wireless IoT developers rely on high-quality educational resources. Such resources not only show engineers how wireless solutions can power innovative applications, they also show them how to build those applications as part of a fast and efficient product development schedule.
This is why chipmakers like Nordic Semiconductor must be both innovators in low-power wireless technology and education leaders for the development community that their products support.
At Nordic, we’re deeply committed to being developer-oriented, providing the tools, support, and resources necessary for success. And by educating engineers in key skills, we allow them to leverage the innovative technology deep inside our industry-leading wireless solutions.
Overcoming development challenges
IoT developers face a multitude of challenges, such as tight development schedules, budget constraints, and the need to get products to market in a timely fashion. They also need to keep on top of the latest hardware and software solutions, including newly introduced and rapidly evolving wireless protocols.
Keeping up with evolving technologies is essential, as it directly impacts product performance and interoperability. In addition to understanding wireless protocols, developers must be proficient with toolchains, the relevant software development kit (SDK), its workflow, and its application programming interfaces (APIs) to efficiently implement wireless protocols into their applications. This can be a significant obstacle to a successful and timely product launch.
Interactive online learning through Nordic DevAcademy
For its part, Nordic provides developers working with its wireless solutions a range of educational resources to support its hardware and software offering. Nordic Developer Academy (DevAcademy)—an interactive online learning platform—helps developers by providing both essential technical theory and in-depth, hands-on practical training in one place.
The self-paced DevAcademy courses ensure developers stay up-to-date with the latest advances while gaining the necessary skills to accelerate their development process and bring high-quality products to market faster. DevAcademy currently has over 20,000 users enrolled across five different courses and has issued more than 8,500 certificates.
For developers new to Nordic SoCs and modules—among the lowest power wireless chips on the market—especially those transitioning from ‘bare-metal’ firmware development, DevAcademy is an invaluable resource. The platform is designed to equip developers with the knowledge and skills needed to build tomorrow’s cutting-edge wireless products using Nordic’s solutions.
DevAcademy offers step-by-step guidance through the fundamentals of firmware development using the nRF Connect SDK and Zephyr RTOS. Additionally, it provides tailored learning paths for key technologies like Bluetooth LE, cellular, and Wi-Fi, ensuring developers gain practical, hands-on experience.
For new engineers, learning through DevAcademy means reduced onboarding time as structured learning paths ease the transition into professional development, while real-world problem-solving exercises help them become job-ready faster.
Technical support through Nordic DevZone forum
Inevitably during the development process for a wireless product, problems will arise. For the developer this is not only frustrating, but also threatens to jeopardize time-to-market deadlines.
These problems need quick answers, which is why Nordic’s support for developers extends beyond the DevAcademy to on-hand technical support through the Nordic DevZone platform, where a team of dedicated engineers and developers assist customers with specific software and hardware-related issues. With over 113,000 open discussions and counting, the DevZone forum provides a powerful resource for developers encountering any technical challenges at any stage of the development process.
Nordic resources enable advanced Bluetooth LE projects
For developers, both DevZone and DevAcademy are powerful resources for working with Bluetooth LE wireless connectivity. And, as Nordic continues to innovate—for example the recent launch of its nRF54L Series, providing greater compute power and increased memory—so the company in tandem ensures developers have the necessary learning tools to make the most of its technology to build their advanced Bluetooth LE projects.
- Read more: The rise and rise of Bluetooth
The nRF Connect SDK Fundamentals and Bluetooth Low Energy Fundamentals courses in the DevAcademy, for example, mean developers can immediately prepare to work with the nRF54L Series. These courses have enrolled more than 20,000 developers, have received an average rating of 9.1/10, and provide more than 20 hours of in-depth training.
Overall, the key benefits of using Nordic’s resources are accelerated learning curves, practical know-how, and the ability to quickly solve project-related challenges with tailored guidance.
A holistic approach to education
What may be right for one, may not be right for another, so Nordic’s aim is to provide a holistic, 360 degree approach to education. If Nordic DevAcademy and DevZone don’t provide the answer then webinars might, covering various topics, including technology introductions, training, and new SDK features. Customers can ask questions in real time during live webinars, as well as enjoy access to past webinars on demand.
Alternatively Nordic also offers learning resources through YouTube tutorials, such as the ‘nRF Connect SDK Hands-on’ video series, which caters to audiences who prefer video content. Throughout the series, participants build a Bluetooth LE application step-by-step, starting with adding both simulated and real sensors and retrieving their data wirelessly through Bluetooth LE.
As the chipmaker of choice for many developers, Nordic’s comprehensive suite of educational resources—combined with ongoing support from the experts—ensures developers can continue to innovate and drive the industry's success.
