How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 15:22:10 GMT

Great! Enjoy working with DK/Jlink.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:42:06 GMT

Everything working now.

I now understand I have to select the nRF9160-DK device at VS Code to program the Thingy:91 by the DK.

I started a new Asset Tracker project, did some small changes, selected the Thingy:91 board, the nRF9160-DK device and flashed the software and the debug output from my Thingy:91 is now this:

*** Booting nRF Connect SDK v2.5.99-dev1 ***
[00:00:00.272,491] <inf> main: Flashed by the nRF9160-DK!
[00:00:00.272,735] <inf> app_event_manager: APP_EVT_START

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:24:49 GMT

I cross the fingers ;-).

If you use the "Programmer" app via the Jlink of the nRF9160-DK, you need to select the DK as device and then the images for the Thingy:91 as firmware to apply. With that you will be able to flash a Thingy:91 without repower it. Or use "west flash" or the "VS Code => Flash" function. Everything will work better for flashing than the "Cellular Monitor" ;-).

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:18:27 GMT

I want to develop my own apps, but at a certain point I got confused which of the two devices I was programming. Then I thought, okay, let's go back to the basics and use the Cellular Monitor to get this working first again. But there I made the mistake about the two different pinouts so programming the wrong software for the wrong device.

If I make my own software for the Thingy:91, I think, I have to program this with the programmer and press the button and have to wait much longer, so I decided to order the flatcable from my first post so I can use my DK to program and debug my Thingy:91 via VS code.

I think at this point with your help I understand how it works and everything is working again so the next step is to, for example, open the Asset Tracker project in VS code and try to program and debug this via my DK into my Thingy:91.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 14:02:43 GMT

Sorry, I get the impression we're talking of different things.

Your sayings only apply, if you stick to the "Cellular Monitor" to flash the device. That seems anyway to work only for the samples provided by Nordic, or?

So, do you stick to the "Cellular Monitor" ? Do you want to use only the samples?

If yes, then it is a question to the Nordic engineer, I'm only a community member.

If no, and you want to develop your own apps, then you need to use other tools, e.g. VS Code, west flash, or the "Programmer" app. And with that the limitation doesn't apply.

I usually build my projects/apps either with VS code and flash it with that, or with "west build -b <board> -d build_<board>" and then flash it with "west flash -d build_<board>". That works well also for the Thingy:91, nRF9160 feather, and MIKROE LTE IoT Click 4, all via JLink and the nRF9160-DK (or a separate JLink).

So, again, the question is, if you want to use the samples applied by the "Cellular Monitor" or if you want to develop your own apps.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 13:44:54 GMT

I know, but I don't know you are familiar with the Thingy:91 programming procedure? You have to turn it of, press a button to reach some mode and program it then what takes about 10 to 20 times longer then with the JLink.

I want to develop some things for the Thingy:91 and use the DK as programmer/debugger so the programming is much faster and I do not have to turn off and on while holding the button.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 13:15:48 GMT

You only need to use USB for a Thingy:91, if you use the Cellular Monitor to flash it.

If you use the VS Studio, west flash or the Programmer App (you may install it in the nRF Connect for Desktop as you did for the Cellular Monitor), then you may use the Jlink via the DK but you need to provide the build for the Thingy:91.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 13:10:20 GMT

It is working again! Thank you very much for the help, it was very confusing but now it is clear I think.

I can program and debug now with the DK but stil have to connect the Thingy:91 USB for the serial port. It is also difficult to use the build in tools this way (like programming). I now understand it is not working, it would if I did from VS code and select the correct hardware but now it is just the precompiled hex file that is for the DK and not the Thingy:91.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:54:05 GMT

> it is wrong

Yes, it is wrong.

> was succesfull.

Yes, it's the same nRF9160, but the "board" (where the peripheral are connected, e.g. GPIO/LEDS) is different. The modem-firmware is the same, keep that. But replace the Application with the one for the Thingy:91 using the Programmer App. That could be downloaded at Thingy:91 - Downloads . Unzip it and the select "thingy91_fw_2023-10-26_1fae141f/img_app_bl/thingy91_asset_tracker_v2_2023-10-26_1fae141f.hex"

Or connect the (unmodified) Thingy:91 via USB and use the Cellular Monitor (I haven't tested that.)

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:17:31 GMT

The same, so you would think it is wrong. But if I select Asset Tracker V2, keep both checkboxes selected en click Program it will say after a while that the programming was succesfull.

I took and kept jumper P22 off, so it can't be the DK I am programming I would say?

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 15:02:02 GMT

Using Cellular Monitor v2.1.0 and "Program device" shows this dialog:

I read "nRF9160 DK". What does your "Program sample app" show?

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:17:51 GMT

I used the program functionality of the Cellular Monitor so I do not think this is relevant? Or does it?

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:06:41 GMT

Are you sure, that you flashed the "thingy:91" build and not the one of the DK?

("west build -b nrf9160dk_nrf9160_ns --pristine" instead of "west build -b thingy91_nrf9160_ns --pristine").

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 09:41:34 GMT

And this tip is even more easy. I am now sure I am able to program my Thingy:91 because the jumper was not on the nRF9160-DK. I programmed all the different firmwares and also the modem firmwares without any problemen but the LED is not doing anything.

Looks like I can program but the modem and the flash but the device is not working anymore and looks dead..

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 09:38:53 GMT

That's a good tip!

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 19:42:23 GMT

One tip:

If you remove the Jumper P22 (usually used for current measurement, next to the USB plug) the "onboard nRF9160" isn't longer powered, so if you flash, you flash the external target.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 09:35:18 GMT

[quote userid="130184" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/107152/how-to-use-the-nrf9160-dk-as-programmer-for-my-thingy-91/463481"]but how do I know I am programming my NRF9160-DK or the target connected via the external debug probe?[/quote]

:-) yes, that's pain ... I usually have a simple blink-pattern app on my dk. If I flash the wrong device (mostly forgot to mount the cable to the target) the the DK stops blinking the pattern.

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 09:24:20 GMT

I tried a lot of things now, I even think the Thingy:91 is broke but I don't know for sure, I can program now but how do I know I am programming my NRF9160-DK or the target connected via the external debug probe?

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

ralphvn — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 08:59:33 GMT

I powered the Thingy:91 with an old micro USB charger and SW9 is still at the default 1.8V side. When trying to program it it made a loud noise, like a loud modem noise and I am unable to program it now. Could it be possible the cable I ordered is mirrored?

RE: How to use the NRF9160-DK as programmer for my THINGY:91?

Achim Kraus — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 21:34:52 GMT

It detects the JTAG on the nRF9160-DK, but the JTAG target is then the Thingy:91.

The two pitfalls:

- enable the power of the Thingy:91

- the I/O voltage of the Thingy:91 is 1.8V. In order to use the nRF9160-DK, you also need to ensure, that SW9 is at 1.8V and not 3V.

updating the firmware in the nrf52840 soc

Shows that step. Select "Through external debug probe" (Instead of Through USB) and it shows the switches and wiring.

The docu mentions SW11, on my board it's SW9. The position is just next to the power switch of the DK.