Testing the FOTA over BLE on nrf54L15dk using the SMP server sample of the NCS v2.8.0.

[raphystark]

Hello,

I'm experiencing issues testing the FOTA over BLE on nrf54L15dk using the SMP server sample of the NCS v2.8.0.

To reproduce my issue, just build the sample out of the box, with the following build configuration :

- board target : nrf54l15dk/nrf54l15/cpuapp

- base configuration files : prj.conf

- extra Kconfig fragments : overlay-bt.conf

- base devicetree overlays : boards/nrf54l15dk_nrf54l15_cpuapp_ext_flash.overlay

- system build : sysbuild

Build and flash this on nrf54l15dk and try to upload the firmware using the device manager app, using a dfu_application.zip file.

Thank you for your time,

Raphaël.

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

Hi,

Does it work with zephyr.signed.bin instead?

See sample.yml for suggested configurations. If I compare this to what you did, it looks like you have not done mcuboot_CONF_FILE and mcuboot_EXTRA_DTC_OVERLAY_FILE, meaning no external flash configuration was set for the MCUboot image.

Regards,
Sigurd Hellesvik

[raphystark]

Hello,

I have never tried DFU using the zephyr.signed.bin file, I just tried and I have an image upgrade state error saying "There is no free slot to place the image". I guess it's caused by the previous test who failed but didn't released the space dedicated for DFU ? Another test, after erasing and flashing the board. Now the image upgrade state error is : "Sending the request timed out".

No indeed I didn't use this specific configuration.
Can you enlighten me on why is it necessary ?

Thanks,
Raphaël.

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

MCUboot and the application runs as two separate images. The Partition Manager makes sure both images know where the DFU image is.

However, both images have separate configurations.
So first the application receives an update over DFU. This image is written to external flash.
Then it reboots and MCUboot is now running. MCUboot tries to read external flash. But external flash drivers are not enabled in configuration for the MCUboot image. MCUboot will fail in reading from external flash.

[raphystark]

Thank you for these explanations.
I added this CMake configurations in my build configuration.
Unfortunately, the FOTA process failed again with the "Sending the request timed out" error.







Can you confirm that these configurations are correct ?


Thank you,
Raphaël.

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

I tried to reproduce the issue, but on my side I am able to DFU the nRF54L15DK (v0.8.2) with dfu_application.zip.

Which version of the DK do you have?

When you do DFU, which image are you trying to DFU to?

[raphystark]

The docs should be updated as in the nrf54 doc page for the FOTA it is recommanded to use the dfu_application.zip file :
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/app_dev/device_guides/nrf54l/fota_update.html#testing_steps

[raphystark]

Hi Sigurd, sorry I just saw your response.
The dk is rev version 0.9.1 (2024.44).
I used to use the dfu_application.zip file but since your message I use the zephyr.signed.bin file, generated in build/smp_svr/zephyr/zephyr.signed.bin.
I don't know which image I DFU to, but I can tell you that I flash the device using nrfutil installed from internet and moved in /usr/local/bin, since nrfjprog installed in the toolchain can't flash nrf54L15.

[Sigurd Hellesvik]

raphystark said:

The docs should be updated as in the nrf54 doc page for the FOTA it is recommanded to use the dfu_application.zip file :
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/nrf/app_dev/device_guides/nrf54l/fota_update.html#testing_steps

Nono, dfu_application.zip should be fine. I just suggested zephyr.signed.bin to try an alternative. Good for debugging you see.

raphystark said:

I don't know which image I DFU to

I mean "Which project did you build to get the dfu_application.zip?"
Cause its not always that users use the same sample that they flashed (smp server in this case) as the one they use to generate dfu_application.zip.
Did you use the smp_srv sample or something else?