Not able to flash modem firmware to nrf9151

[JonathanRJ]

Hi

I am having some issues flashing the modem firmware to a custom board using the nrf9151 SiP.

I can, with no issues, flash programs to the chip, but when i want to flash the modem firmware it gets stuck while displaying "Bootloader uploaded" and then gives a timeout error.

I've tried to use both the desktop programmer program and the nrfutil command line interface to flash the firmware. Both get stuck at the same point and with the same result.

I've also tried to flash previous versions of the modem firmware and everyone gives the same error.

Is there something i might be missing or something with the hardware which blocks flashing the modem firmware, but not application firmware?

Hope someone can help with this issue.

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

Since you mention custom board, I suspect that not all of your devices behave like this?

 

I can, with no issues, flash programs to the chip, but when i want to flash the modem firmware it gets stuck while displaying "Bootloader uploaded" and then gives a timeout error.

I've tried to use both the desktop programmer program and the nrfutil command line interface to flash the firmware. Both get stuck at the same point and with the same result.

I've also tried to flash previous versions of the modem firmware and everyone gives the same error.

Is there something i might be missing or something with the hardware which blocks flashing the modem firmware, but not application firmware?

This is a typical behavior if there are soldering issues, specifically with the RESERVED pins underneath the nRF91-series package.

If these pins are shorted to a neighbouring pin, you will have problems interfacing the modem, but features like flashing the application will work.

 

I would recommend that you rework the specific device(s) and verify that there is no shorts on those RESERVED pins:

https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ps_nrf9151/page/pin.html

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[JonathanRJ]

Hi, thank you for the quick response.

It's the first assembled prototype of a product, so we've only been able to test with this one board. I'll be sure to check out the link you provided, since it might be the issue. Is there another way i can check if the soldering might be bad? Like another way to check if the modem interface is ok, without flashing the modem firmware. I know its a bit of a long shot, but better to ask in case there is a way to do it.

[Håkon Alseth]

If the modem is not able to boot up properly, you cannot verify its functionality, regardless of which mfw version is present.

You will need to resolve the mechanical/soldering issues with this specific prototype.

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[JonathanRJ]

Thank you very much, we'll try and reheat the protoype to see if that fixes it. Again, thank you for the fast response

[Håkon Alseth]

Happy to help. Let me know if you run into any issues or have questions.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

 

Kind regards,

Håkon