How to use JFlash to flash an nRF52840

[mike1369]

Hello,

I am developing a solution based on nrf52-DK, using nRF52840.

I have a .hex file produced by the R&D team

So far I can flash successfully the board  with : 

• drag-and-drop the .hex file to the virtual disk presented by the board on USB
• JLink (command is "JLink.exe -device nRF52840_xxAA -if SWD -speed 4000 -AutoConnect 1 -CommandFile script_flashing.jlink"
• nrfjprog.exe  (command is "nrfjprog.exe -f NRF52 --program firmware.hex --chiperase --verify"

but for production reasons, and in order to use later on programmers like Flasher PRO from SEGGER, I would like to use JFlash.exe 

So far it programs only 32K bytes, then falls in timeout error

Here is the command I am using : "JFlash.exe -openprj nRF52840_trial.jflash -open firmware.hex  -jflashlogC:\tmp\jflash.log -auto -exit"

It fails, and the end of the logfile contains this : 

- Start of flash programming
- Programming range 0x00000000 - 0x00007FFF ( 8 Sectors, 32 KB)
- Programming range 0x00008000 - 0x0000FFFF ( 8 Sectors, 32 KB)
- Programming range 0x00010000 - 0x00017FFF ( 8 Sectors, 32 KB)
- Programming range 0x00018000 - 0x0001FFFF ( 8 Sectors, 32 KB)
- ERROR: Timeout while programming sector, RAMCode did not respond in time (PC = 0x00000A64, XPSR = 0x61000003, SP = 0x20000550)!
- End of flash programming
- ERROR: Program failed
- Start of restoring
- End of restoring
- ERROR: Failed to auto program target
J-Flash V8.10a Error: Timeout while programming sector, RAMCode did not respond in time (PC = 0x00000A64, XPSR = 0x61000003, SP = 0x20000550)!
Program failed
Failed to auto program target
Disconnecting ...
- Disconnected

Would you please have any advice to solve this ? or to identify what I am doing wrong ?

In the JFLash  GUI, I selected device "nRF52840_XXAA" 

Thanks for your help.

[Priyanka]

Hi,

Could you verify in J-Flash that you "Program the entire chip" ?

Also, please try lowering the SWD speed. I see that you are using around 4000 for J-link, but maybe try using around 1000-2000 and check.

You can also first try flashing a smaller hex file and verify if it works.

Regards,

Priyanka

[mike1369]

could you provide me a nrf52840.jflash that allows to flash a nRF52840 ?

I made one with JFlash / New project, and selecting type nRF52840_xxAA

Here is the file I got : 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
  AppVersion = 81001
  FileVersion = 2
[GENERAL]
  aATEModuleSel[24] = 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
  ConnectMode = 0
  CurrentFile = ""
  DataFileSAddr = 0x00000000
  GUIMode = 0
  HostName = ""
  TargetIF = 1
  USBPort = 0
  USBSerialNo = 0x00000000
  UseATEModuleSelection = 0
[JTAG]
  IRLen = 0
  MultipleTargets = 0
  NumDevices = 0
  Speed0 = 1000
  Speed1 = 1000
  TAP_Number = 0
  UseAdaptive0 = 0
  UseAdaptive1 = 0
  UseMaxSpeed0 = 0
  UseMaxSpeed1 = 0
[CPU]
  NumInitSteps = 1
  InitStep0_Action = "Reset"
  InitStep0_Value0 = 0x00000000
  InitStep0_Value1 = 0x00000000
  InitStep0_Comment = "Reset and halt target"
  NumExitSteps = 0
  UseScriptFile = 0
  ScriptFile = ""
  RAMAddr = 0x20000000
  RAMSize = 0x00040000
  CheckCoreID = 1
  CoreID = 0x4BA00477
  CoreIDMask = 0x0F000FFF
  UseAutoSpeed = 0x00000001
  ClockSpeed = 0x00000000
  EndianMode = 0
  ChipName = "Nordic Semi nRF52840_xxAA"
[FLASH]
  aRangeSel[1] = 0-256
  BankName = "Internal flash"
  BankSelMode = 1
  BaseAddr = 0x00000000
  NumBanks = 1
[PRODUCTION]
  AutoPerformsDisconnect = 0
  AutoPerformsErase = 1
  AutoPerformsProgram = 1
  AutoPerformsSecure = 0
  AutoPerformsStartApp = 0
  AutoPerformsVerify = 1
  EnableFixedVTref = 0
  EnableTargetPower = 0
  EraseType = 1
  FixedVTref = 0x00000CE4
  MonitorVTref = 0
  MonitorVTrefMax = 0x0000157C
  MonitorVTrefMin = 0x000003E8
  OverrideTimeouts = 0
  ProgramSN = 0
  SerialFile = ""
  SNAddr = 0x00000000
  SNInc = 0x00000001
  SNLen = 0x00000004
  SNListFile = ""
  SNValue = 0x00000001
  StartAppType = 0
  TargetPowerDelay = 0x00000014
  TimeoutErase = 0x00003A98
  TimeoutProgram = 0x00002710
  TimeoutVerify = 0x00002710
  VerifyType = 1
[PERFORMANCE]
  DisableSkipBlankDataOnProgram = 0x00000000
  PerfromBlankCheckPriorEraseChip = 0x00000001
  PerfromBlankCheckPriorEraseSelectedSectors = 0x00000001
-----------------------------------------------------------------

[mike1369]

OK, finally got it.
If I change nRF52840_xxAA to nRF52832_xxAA the flashing works 

I was told that the board contained a nRF52840 
Do you know an easy way to confirm (ideally by a command in a terminal) the device embedded on the board ?

[Priyanka]

Hi,

You can try the "nrfjprog --deviceversion". This should print out the details.

-Priyanka

[mike1369]

That's really helpful ! 
This is what I get: 

    nrfjprog --deviceversion
    682851091 - NRF52832_xxAA_REV3

so, definitely an nRF52832

I really appreciate your help.
You can consider my demand as completed and close it
Many thanks Priyanka !

[Priyanka]

Glad to help