Custom board considerations with a nRF5340 for flashing/debugging

[lcj]

If I am having a custom board created and assembled using a pcb maker (makerpcb, jlcpcb, or pcbway) what do I need to ensure is on the board so I can flash and debug it? I have a Segger J-Link. Do I need only VDD, GND, SWCLK, and SWDIO? Does having a reset help?

I read this post which uses a nRF5340 DK to program it, but I think I only need the Segger, correct?

Is there something I need to consider for the recovery as well? I noticed the DK really seems to recover well when I screw things up, is there a way to get this level resiliency on a custom board as well?

Could I use magnetic pogo pins for what I need and connect them to a Segger J-Link so I don't need to solder directly?

I am using the nRF Connect for VS Code Add-In and Zephyr

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

Do I need only VDD, GND, SWCLK, and SWDIO?

Yes, this is correct.

Does having a reset help?

RESET is not required.

Is there something I need to consider for the recovery as well? I noticed the DK really seems to recover well when I screw things up, is there a way to get this level resiliency on a custom board as well?

If you have a similar board setup as the nRF5340DK, ie. that you have DCDC components and an external 32kHz crystal in place, it should behave in a similar fashion.

 

If you lack one or both of these combinations, you need to adjust your board-configuration according to this thread:

 RE: nrf5340 Hardware boot problems 

 

Could I use magnetic pogo pins for what I need and connect them to a Segger J-Link so I don't need to solder directly?

You are free to choose the method of connecting the debugger as you see fit. A common way is to use the 10 pin SWD connector, as we use on our development kits here: https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ug_nrf5340_dk/page/UG/dk/ext_programming_support_P19.html

 

Kind regards,

Håkon