How do I buy an RM1xx module with Peripheral firmware?

The RM1xx module is currently only sold with Central role BLE firmware, as it was intended to allow the device to scan for peripheral BLE devices, such as BLE sensors, to enable it to collect the data from those devices and pass it via LoRa to the gateway. However, Peripheral firmware is available to be flashed to the module if this is what the application requires. Peripheral BLE cannot scan for devices, it can only send out advertisements, which can request to connect to central role BLE devices. To clarify, the differences between Central and Peripheral are related to establishing a link between the devices.

As we stated previously peripheral can advertise to let central role devices know they are there, only Central can scan or send a connection request to establish the connection. Some refer to the Central as the Master and the Peripheral as the Slave. With BLE a separate unrelated role to Central and Peripheral is that of the GATT Server and GATT Client. The GATT server is the device that contains the data which can be accessed and read by the GATT Client. Please note, there is no connection between the central/peripheral roles and the GATT Server/GATT client roles. While it is common for a Peripheral to be a  GATT Server and a Central to be a GATT Client , it is perfectly possible to have a Peripheral that is only a GATT Client, or a Central that is both a GATT Server and a  GATT Client. The RM1xx configured as a Central, can be both a GATT Client and a GATT Server., and it would have the ability to scan for IOT peripheral devices in the area advertising that they are there. The BLE role has no bearing on the LoRa connection. Either of roles, Central/Peripheral will be able to connect to a LoRaWAN Gateway.

With the above information in mind, if you still feel that the Peripheral firmware will best meet your application needs, than in order to upgrade the firmware on the DVK-RM1xx-SM-02 it would be necessary to purchase a device for flashing the firmware. We would recommend using our QPK-nRF5x programmer , which includes the J-Link ribbon cable , as it should offer the least expensive and easiest way to upgrade between the Central and Peripheral firmware in following the  Upgrading Firmware via JTAG and QPK-nRF5x (Required for Central to Peripheral) - RM1xx Series  Application Note. If however, you would prefer to use a Segger J-Link Probe or Flasher for flashing the Peripheral firmware feel free to contact support for a list of Segger devices which should work with the RM1xx. However, we do not provide additional support for upgrading with these devices outside of the documentation available on our website (Upgrading Firmware via JTAG (REQUIRED for Central to Peripheral) - RM1xx Series). Additional support for these probes/flashers would need to come directly from Segger.