The glossary contains terms and acronyms that are used in this document.
Application Programming Interface (API)
A language and message format used by an application program to communicate with an
operating system, application, or other service.
API
Attribute Protocol (ATT)
The attribute protocol allows a device referred to as the server to expose a set of attributes and their associated values to a peer device referred to as the client.Bluetooth Core Specification, Vol 3, Part F, Section 1.1
ATT
Common Microcontroller Software Interface Standard (CMSIS)
A vendor-independent hardware abstraction layer for microcontrollers based on Arm®
Cortex® processors that defines generic tool interfaces and enables consistent device support.
CMSIS
Device Firmware Update (DFU)
A mechanism for upgrading the firmware of a device.
DFU
Floating-Point Unit (FPU)
A part of a CPU specially designed to perform operations on floating point
numbers.
FPU
Generic Access Profile (GAP)
The Bluetooth system defines a base profile which all Bluetooth devices implement. This profile is the Generic Access Profile (GAP), which defines the basic requirements of a Bluetooth device.Bluetooth Core Specification, Vol 1, Part A, Section 6.2
GAP
Generic Attribute Protocol (GATT)
Generic Attribute Profile (GATT) is built on top of the Attribute Protocol (ATT) and establishes common operations and a framework for the data transported and stored by the Attribute Protocol.Bluetooth Core Specification, Vol 1, Part A, Section 6.4
GATT
Human Interface Device (HID)
A type of computer device that interacts directly with, and most often takes input from, humans and may deliver output to humans. The term "HID" most commonly refers to the USB-HID specification. This standard allows the host stack or controller Integrated Circuit (IC) to be swapped with minimal adaptation.
HID
Integrated Circuit (IC)
A semiconductor chip consisting of fabricated transistors, resistors, and capacitors.
IC
Link Layer (LL)
A control protocol for the link and physical layers that is carried over logical links in addition to user data.Bluetooth Core Specification, Vol 1, Part A, Section 1.2
LL
Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol (L2CAP)
Provides a channel-based abstraction to applications and services. It carries out segmentation and reassembly of application data and multiplexing and de-multiplexing of multiple channels over a shared logical link.Bluetooth Core Specification, Vol 1, Part A, Section 1.2
L2CAP
Low Latency Packet Mode (LLPM)
A mode that allows shorter connection intervals than specified in the Bluetooth Core Specification.
LLPM
Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA)
In a radio receiving system, an electronic amplifier that amplifies a very low-power
signal without significantly degrading its signal-to-noise ratio.
LNA
Main Stack Pointer (MSP)
The default stack pointer. By default, the nRF52 and nRF54L have a shared call stack
for the application and the SoftDevice, managed by the MSP.
MSP
Man-in-the-Middle (MITM)
A form of eavesdropping where communication between two devices is monitored and
modified by an unauthorized party who relays information between the two devices giving the
illusion that they are directly connected.
MITM
Memory Watch Unit (MWU)
A peripheral that can be used to generate events when a memory region is accessed by
the CPU.
MWU
Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA)
A collaborative coexistence mechanism for collocated wireless protocols.
PTA
Power Amplifier (PA)
A device used to increase the transmit power level of a radio signal.
PA
Process Stack Pointer (PSP)
A separate stack pointer that can be used for application threads. This is an optional
configuration, but it may be required if using an RTOS.
PSP
Programmable Peripheral Interconnect (PPI)
Enables peripherals to interact autonomously with each other using tasks and events
independent of the CPU.
PPI
Qualified Design Identification (QDID)
A unique identifier assigned to a design that has completed Bluetooth®
Qualification.
QDID
Quality of Service (QoS)
A module in the SoftDevice that is dedicated to providing various signal quality
measurements. The application can use this data to estimate the quality of received
signal.
QoS
Security Manager (SM)
Provides means for bonding devices, encrypting and decrypting data, and enabling
device privacy.
SM
Security Manager Protocol (SMP)
A protocol used for pairing and key distribution.
SMP
SoftDevice Manager (SDM)
A SoftDevice component that controls the SoftDevice state and configures the behavior
of certain core functionality.
SDM
Software Development Kit (SDK)
A set of tools used for developing applications for a specific device or operating
system.
SDK
Supervisor Call (SVC)
Generates a software exception in which access to system resources or privileged
operations can be provided.
SVC
System on Chip (SoC)
A microchip that integrates all the necessary electronic circuits and components of a
computer or other electronic systems on a single integrated circuit.