nRF9160DK v0.8.2 (nRF9160 SICA-BAA) supported modem firmware and NCS version

[makoto.inoue]

Hi,

I have an old nRF9160DK from few years back (v0.8.2). I got busy with other things and was not able to work on it.

Now I'm trying to update the modem firmware to the latest supported state for this dev board, but I can't seem to find the corresponding compatibility matrix for this old of a dev board.

Could someone point me to the latest supported modem firmware version and NCS version for v0.8.2?

Best Regards,

Makoto

[Charlie]

Hi Makoto,

Modem Firmware(MFW) version is related to nRF9160 version according to MFW release note in download page.

nRF9160DK v0.8.2 has nRF9160 revision 1(B0) on board. SiP revisions and variants (nordicsemi.com), so MFW 1.2.8 is the suggested MFW version. You can find the corresponding NCS version from Modem firmware (nordicsemi.com). NCS 1.5.2 is the last one compatible with MFW 1.2.8.

I am not sure about your project plan. If you are still on the early stage of your development of a formal product, I strongly suggest you to switch to the latest development kit right now, because there are massive amounts of improvement including bug fixes and new features on the latest MFW1.3.6 + NCS2.6.0 compared with MFW1.2.8+MFW1.5.2. You will need to spend extra effort if you need to update to latest NCS in the future.

Best regards,

Charlie

[makoto.inoue]

Hello Charlie,

Thank you for your help.

Charlie said:

nRF9160DK v0.8.2 has nRF9160 revision 1(B0) on board.

Are you sure? This is what is showing on the nRF9160 SiP on v0.8.2:

To me it shows "nRF9160-SICA BAA-E2.1.5" - which seems like the "Engineering A" version.

I do have a newer nRF9160DK (v1.1.0), which I am doing my evaluation with MFW1.3.6 + NCS2.6.0.

Which shows on the nRF9160 SiP:

To me I see "nRF9160 SICA B1", which I'd expect. Since I don't see "B0" on the v0.8.2 version, I have my doubts that it is.

 

Charlie said:

I strongly suggest you to switch to the latest development kit right now

Yes, as I mentioned above I am working with the v1.1.0 and the latest MFW and NCS.

I was hoping to use the old v0.8.2 board for a pet project - and wanted to know the most updated MFW and NCS for it.

Charlie said:

NCS 1.5.2 is the last one compatible with MFW 1.2.8

If indeed the nRF9160 is "Engineering A" version, would the above NCS and MFW be the latest versions for it?

Best Regards,

Makoto

[Charlie]

Hi Makoto,

Sorry for my mistake. I only checked with a nRF9160DK v0.9.0 on my hand, and it uses B0, just assumed B0 was also used by 0.8.2. I am totally wrong.

Now I get confirmation from our HW team that it is actually from v0.9.0 B0 started to be used, before this engineering versions are used, then from 0.14.0 B1 started to be used.

makoto.inoue said:

I was hoping to use the old v0.8.2 board for a pet project

makoto.inoue said:

If indeed the nRF9160 is "Engineering A" version, would the above NCS and MFW be the latest versions for it?

Thanks for letting me know the detail about your plan. "Engineering A" is a quite early version, I would suggest you use new DK on your hand with latest firmware to avoid potential struggling.

In theory, you can try to run the latest NCS and MFW on any version of chip on your development exploration. The issue is that we do not do compatible tests and adaption for the old version to make sure production level maturity.

When the new version chip comes out, the old version will stop massive production and stop selling, then the software compatibility support will stop at some time point because no customer will use them for massive production anymore.

Development kits are only used at development stage with very limited amount, so developers are encouraged to use latest version for their development.

Best regards,

Charlie