nRF9160 update firmware

[dUrbano]

Hi,

I'm an Italian electronic engineer and for my job we are testing the nRF9160 modem; for this reason we bought a couple of SparkFun ThingPlus nRF9160 modules. We'd like to use this modem with AT commands so, using the Visual Studio Code as IDE, I found the sample project known as "Serial LTE modem", changing UART pins creating an .overlay file and using a Segger J-Link Mini to flash and debug the code. All works perfectly but now I'd like to update firmware; my platform has these issues:

Platform: nRF9160 SICA B1A (read launching the command AT%HWVERSION)

FW Version: mfw_nrf9160_1.2.3 (read launching the command AT+CGMR)

Going to this web page:

https://www.nordicsemi.com/Products/Development-hardware/nrf9160-dk/download

I download the file mfw_nrf9160_1.3.4.zip but when I open the zip I found bin files to upgrade from 1.3.2 to 1.3.4 and upgrade from 1.3.3 to 1.3.4, so I'm wondering if I can use one of these files to upgrade my module. When I upgrade the fw, the code of "Serial LTE modem" project will continue to work? Please, could anyone explain me how to correctly proceed ?

Regards

 dUrbano

[Charlie]

Hi Davide,

Thanks for reaching us for these questions.

If you are using Segger J-Link Mini with your device, updating modem firmware is the same as nRF9160DK which has a JLink-OB on board. You can refer to Getting started with nRF9160 DK — nRF Connect SDK 2.3.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com). The bin files you mentioned are used for MFW delta updates usage, see Features of nRF91 Series — nRF Connect SDK 2.3.0 documentation (nordicsemi.com).

Please also pay attention there are compatibility requirements for NCS and MFW versions. see Modem Firmware Compatibility Matrix.

Best regards,

Charlie

[dUrbano]

First of all, thanks for your patience. Having some questions, I'll try to explain more clearly:

#1 - I'd like to know how correctly use the J-Link Mini; if I should use this to upgrade modem firmware what memory address I should use? 

#2 - I read from the link above that for upgrade from 1.2.x to 1.3.x we must have a flash on the module, and in the module there's the flash, but I don't know where I can get the bin file to upgrade from 1.2.3 to 1.3.4 (the latest). By the way, reading the notes for 1.3.4 version, it seems that the module have all hardware issues for a correct upgrade.

#3 - If I upgrade the modem firmware to 1.3.4, the sample project "Serial LTE Modem" will continue to correctly works?

Regards

dUrbano

[Charlie]

Hi dUrbano,

#1 - You need to use nRF Connect for Desktop->Programmer app, as introduced in the nRF9160DK getting start document.

#2 - bin firmware is normally used for FOTA programming. For your setup, it is pretty easy to do a full modem firmware update using JLink, just choose the Zip file and the programmer will choose the firmware to update into the device modem.

dUrbano said:

By the way, reading the notes for 1.3.4 version, it seems that the module have all hardware issues for a correct upgrade.

Could you specify which kind of issue do you concern about? You are using nRF9160 SICA B1A, which is the latest chip and will work perfectly with the latest MFW v1.3.4. 

#3 - Yes, but please use SLM sample modified from compatible NCS versions (prefer v2.3.0 or the latest) according to Modem Firmware Compatibility Matrix.

Best regards,

Charlie

[dUrbano]

Let's try to make a recap:

#1 - to flash the modem firmware I can use the J-Link Mini but only as debugger and not using its software; for sw I must use nRF Connect for Desktop->Programmer; correct? 

#2 - to upgrade my modem firmware I can put myzip file (mfw_nrf9160_1.3.4.zip) and the nRF Connect for Desktop->Programmer will choose file to flash in; correct?

Regarding your note:

"Could you specify which kind of issue do you concern about? You are using nRF9160 SICA B1A, which is the latest chip and will work perfectly with the latest MFW v1.3.4."

Yes, issues which I speak are exactly these.

#3 - upgrading modem firmware, I must upgrade nRF Connect SDK version following the link posted above (infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp so the sample projects will be updated; correct?

Regards

dUrbano

[Charlie]

Hi dUrbano,

#1 - Yes, you should be able to find your J-Link debugger from Programmer, and then use it to program your nRF9160.

#2 - Yes, correct!

#3 - Yes, before building the sample, remember to change UART pins for your custom board through the overlay file.

Best regards,

Charlie