Programing and debuging nRF9160

[Farouk]

Hi,

I am a beginner when it comes to using nRF products, my questions is:

Can I use any SWD probe to program nRF9160 SiP?

Can I use a USB to JTAG CHIP for programing the device?

Thank you in advance

[Michal]

Hello,

Can I use any SWD probe to program nRF9160 SiP?

No. The probe has to support ARMv8-M, since the application processor in nRF9160 is Arm Cortex-M33.

Some of the cheaper SWD probes may only support the older ARMv7-M (like Cortex-M4).

Can I use a USB to JTAG CHIP for programing the device?

No.

In general I recommend using a probe that has a clear support for nRF9160. Remember that even if the hardware does support it, the software must do it as well.

Best regards,

Michal

[Farouk]

Hi,

Thank you so much for relay. In the nRF9160DK I noticed that the use an interface MCU to program the SiP, but to use this interface MCU in custome design  should I install a firmaware in it or no ?

[Michal]

Hello,

Do you want your custom design to include an interface MCU? Then that is not something we can help you much with, unfortunately.

We are using Segger On-Board J-Link for that. You would have to contact Segger if you want to include it in your custom design, because of the licensing etc.

But if you want to use the interface MCU from a DK just to program your custom design, then you can just use the SWD connector for that. Here is some documentation.

Best regards,

Michal

[Farouk]

Hi,

I found a DK from nRF That's  called nRF Dongle board, I was wondering if I could use it to program the nRF9160

[Simonr]

Hi

The nRF52840 Dongle does not have a debugger onboard, so it can not be used to program other boards.

Best regards,

Simon