The modem fails to write via J-link，But the application core is working

[Weeknd]

J-Link does not recognize the chip, but can write and debug normally：

The modem fails to write：

[dejans]

Hi,

Which board do you use? 

Where did you get modem file from?

Could you provide more information about your screenshots?

Best regards,
Dejan

[Weeknd]

Hi，

I used the nRF9161-DK development board and a board of my own design. When using the development board, I can burn programs written into the modem, but I can't burn successfully using the board we designed. Our board is using jlink as the emulator, perhaps because the emulator is different when burning?

modem file: mfw_nrf91x1_2.0.0 is downloaded from the official website.

The first screenshot shows that VsCode cannot detect the chip when connecting the board we designed using jlink, but can burn and debug it
The second screenshot shows the programmer's state when burning modem firmware using jlink, unable to select the write option

[dejans]

Hi,

Regarding the issue with Programmer application, have you pressed first "Erase all" button before you tried to press on "Write"?

Best regards,
Dejan

[Weeknd]

Hi，

I pressed first "Erase all" button before I pressed on "Write"，The operation process is shown in the screenshot：

Here is the log of the software

15:37:01.890	Using nrfutil-device version: 2.0.3
15:37:01.890	Using nrf-device-lib version: 0.17.3
15:37:01.890	Using nrfjprog DLL version: 10.23.1
15:37:01.891	Using JLink version: JLink_V7.88j
15:37:02.023	Getting serialport options from persistent store 000059406895.pc-nrfconnect-programmer
15:37:08.610	Using nrfutil device to communicate with target via JLink
15:37:08.611	JLink OB firmware version J-Link V9 compiled May 7 2021 16:26:12
15:37:08.611	Device family
15:37:08.611	Device version NRF9161_xxAA_REV3
15:37:08.611	Board version
15:37:10.202	Reading readback protection status for Application core
15:37:10.203	Reading readback protection status for Application core 0%
15:37:10.218	Reading readback protection status for Application core 100%
15:37:10.218	Application core protection status 'NRFDL_PROTECTION_STATUS_NONE'
15:37:10.219	Reading readback protection status for Application core completed
15:37:12.208	Loading core information for Application core
15:37:12.208	Loading core information for Application core 0%
15:37:12.240	Loading core information for Application core 100%
15:37:12.240	Loading core information for Application core completed
15:37:14.103	Reading readback protection status for Application core
15:37:14.104	Reading readback protection status for Application core 0%
15:37:14.119	Reading readback protection status for Application core 100%
15:37:14.119	Application core protection status 'NRFDL_PROTECTION_STATUS_NONE'
15:37:14.120	Reading readback protection status for Application core completed
15:37:14.411	Device is loaded and ready for further operation
15:37:16.394	Update files regions according to Application core
15:37:16.394	Parse memory regions for file
15:37:16.397	Checking ZIP file: D:\ZZY\ZIP\mfw_nrf91x1_2.0.0.zip
15:37:16.419	File was last modified at 2023/12/8 14:03:53
15:37:20.362	Recovering Application core
15:37:20.363	Recovering Application core 0%
15:37:22.195	Recovering Application core 100%
15:37:22.195	Recovering Application core completed
15:37:22.195	Loading core information for Application core
15:37:22.196	Update files regions according to Application core
15:37:22.196	Parse memory regions for file
15:37:22.198	Loading core information for Application core 0%
15:37:22.259	Loading core information for Application core 100%
15:37:22.259	Loading core information for Application core completed
15:37:22.260	Update files regions according to Application core
15:37:22.260	Parse memory regions for file
15:37:24.298	Update files regions according to Application core
15:37:24.298	Parse memory regions for file
15:37:25.866	Reading readback protection status for Application core
15:37:25.866	Reading readback protection status for Application core 0%
15:37:25.869	Reading readback protection status for Application core 100%
15:37:25.869	Application core protection status 'NRFDL_PROTECTION_STATUS_NONE'
15:37:25.869	Reading readback protection status for Application core completed
15:44:35.282	Checking ZIP file: D:\ZZY\ZIP\mfw_nrf91x1_2.0.0.zip
15:44:35.282	File was last modified at 2023/12/8 14:03:53

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Hi, Dejan is currently on vacation, so I have taken over this ticket.

I have asked our developers to look at this, and will get back to you when I have more information.

Best regards,

Didrik

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Can you enable verbose logging, and send us the log?

Verbose logging can be enabled in the "About" panel:

[Weeknd]

Hi，

Here is the verbose log：

14:49:37.363	[PID:24372] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with device-info --serial-number 000059406895 --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:38.132	[PID:24372] Loaded plugin C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl, starting to resolve symbols
14:49:38.689	[PID:24372] close plugin dll at path: C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl
14:49:38.833	Using nrfutil device to communicate with target via JLink
14:49:38.833	JLink OB firmware version J-Link V9 compiled May 7 2021 16:26:12
14:49:38.833	Device family
14:49:38.833	Device version NRF9161_xxAA_REV3
14:49:38.833	Board version
14:49:38.855	Update files regions according to Application core
14:49:38.855	Parse memory regions for file
14:49:39.113	[PID:18780] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with protection-get --generate --core Application --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:39.426	[PID:33732] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with x-execute-batch --serial-number 000059406895 --batch-json {"operations":[{"operationId":"0","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"type":"protection-get"}}]} --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:40.175	[PID:33732] Loaded plugin C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl, starting to resolve symbols
14:49:40.488	Reading readback protection status for Application core
14:49:40.488	Reading readback protection status for Application core 0%
14:49:40.490	Reading readback protection status for Application core 100%
14:49:40.490	Application core protection status 'NRFDL_PROTECTION_STATUS_NONE'
14:49:40.491	Reading readback protection status for Application core completed
14:49:40.613	[PID:33732] close plugin dll at path: C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl
14:49:41.084	[PID:19792] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with core-info --generate --core Application --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:41.114	[PID:34776] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with reset --generate --core Application --reset-kind RESET_DEBUG --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:41.416	[PID:20992] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with x-execute-batch --serial-number 000059406895 --batch-json {"operations":[{"operationId":"0","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"type":"core-info"}},{"operationId":"1","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"option":"RESET_DEBUG","type":"reset"}}]} --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:42.157	[PID:20992] Loaded plugin C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl, starting to resolve symbols
14:49:42.497	Loading core information for Application core
14:49:42.498	Loading core information for Application core 0%
14:49:42.499	Update files regions according to Application core
14:49:42.499	Parse memory regions for file
14:49:42.532	Loading core information for Application core 100%
14:49:42.532	Loading core information for Application core completed
14:49:42.534	Update files regions according to Application core
14:49:42.534	Parse memory regions for file
14:49:42.660	[PID:20992] close plugin dll at path: C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl
14:49:43.180	[PID:23260] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with protection-get --generate --core Application --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:43.495	[PID:13236] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with x-execute-batch --serial-number 000059406895 --batch-json {"operations":[{"operationId":"0","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"type":"protection-get"}}]} --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:44.198	[PID:13236] Loaded plugin C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl, starting to resolve symbols
14:49:44.522	Reading readback protection status for Application core
14:49:44.522	Reading readback protection status for Application core 0%
14:49:44.537	Reading readback protection status for Application core 100%
14:49:44.538	Application core protection status 'NRFDL_PROTECTION_STATUS_NONE'
14:49:44.538	Reading readback protection status for Application core completed
14:49:44.642	[PID:13236] close plugin dll at path: C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl
14:49:44.868	Device is loaded and ready for further operation
14:49:52.145	Checking ZIP file: D:\ZZY\ZIP\nrf9161dk_fw_2023-10-26_1fae141f.zip
14:49:52.145	File was last modified at 2023/12/14 13:52:14
14:49:54.886	[PID:23400] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with recover --generate --core Application --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:54.917	[PID:28884] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with core-info --generate --core Application --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:54.934	[PID:24000] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with reset --generate --core Application --reset-kind RESET_DEBUG --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:55.227	[PID:2292] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with x-execute-batch --serial-number 000059406895 --batch-json {"operations":[{"operationId":"0","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"type":"recover"}},{"operationId":"1","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"type":"core-info"}},{"operationId":"2","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"option":"RESET_DEBUG","type":"reset"}}]} --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:55.955	[PID:2292] Loaded plugin C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl, starting to resolve symbols
14:49:56.355	Recovering Application core
14:49:56.358	Recovering Application core 0%
14:49:56.358	[PID:2292] [jlink] Using firmware image for recovery to keep device unlocked.
14:49:57.112	[PID:2292] [jlink] [NRFJPROG][nRF91][000059406895] Encountered error while disabling AP-protect, retrying. -21:APPROTECT is still active after CTRL-AP eraseall has finished.
14:49:58.245	Recovering Application core 100%
14:49:58.245	Recovering Application core completed
14:49:58.245	Loading core information for Application core
14:49:58.245	Loading core information for Application core 0%
14:49:58.247	Update files regions according to Application core
14:49:58.247	Parse memory regions for file
14:49:58.276	Loading core information for Application core 100%
14:49:58.277	Loading core information for Application core completed
14:49:58.277	Update files regions according to Application core
14:49:58.277	Parse memory regions for file
14:49:58.389	[PID:2292] close plugin dll at path: C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl
14:49:58.859	[PID:29228] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with device-info --serial-number 000059406895 --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:49:59.614	[PID:29228] Loaded plugin C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl, starting to resolve symbols
14:50:00.163	[PID:29228] close plugin dll at path: C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl
14:50:00.345	Update files regions according to Application core
14:50:00.345	Parse memory regions for file
14:50:00.614	[PID:27232] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with protection-get --generate --core Application --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:50:00.894	[PID:6892] nrfutil-device (version = 2.0.3, platform = x86_64-pc-windows-msvc) invoked with x-execute-batch --serial-number 000059406895 --batch-json {"operations":[{"operationId":"0","core":"NRFDL_DEVICE_CORE_APPLICATION","operation":{"type":"protection-get"}}]} --json --log-output=stdout --log-level trace
14:50:01.635	[PID:6892] Loaded plugin C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl, starting to resolve symbols
14:50:01.976	Reading readback protection status for Application core
14:50:01.976	Reading readback protection status for Application core 0%
14:50:01.986	Reading readback protection status for Application core 100%
14:50:01.986	Application core protection status 'NRFDL_PROTECTION_STATUS_NONE'
14:50:01.986	Reading readback protection status for Application core completed
14:50:02.083	[PID:6892] close plugin dll at path: C:\Users\RandomSky\AppData\Roaming\nrfconnect\nrfutil-sandboxes\device\2.0.3\lib\nrfutil-device\10-nrfdl-jlink-plugin.nrfdl

[Didrik Rokhaug]

Thanks.

The problem is probably that the underlying library only uses the serial number of the debugger to determine if the device supports writing modem FW or not.

As a temporary workaround until we can fix the issue, can you try to use the Debug Out port on your nRF9161DK instead of a stand-alone debugger?