nRF5340+nRF7002 - Firmware security and flashing options

[iotdeveloper]

Hello,

I would like to ask and explain what the options are for uploading production firmware to Nordic chips, specifically nRF5340+nRF7002. So far, I have been using VS Code + nRF Connect extension and the nRF7002-DK board, and I use Build --> Flash in Actions.

I would like to ask if it is possible to secure the firmware in some way so that no one can read or edit it? How would I then handle firmware updates if I didn't want to use the development environment (VS Code) directly?

I am not yet familiar with these security and FW flashing options, so I would appreciate an explanation.

Thank you

[Elfving]

Hi,

I would like to ask and explain what the options are for uploading production firmware to Nordic chips, specifically nRF5340+nRF7002. So far, I have been using VS Code + nRF Connect extension and the nRF7002-DK board, and I use Build --> Flash in Actions.

In a production setting you would typically write the FW using an automated process with a script, which would typically also do some other testing.

I would like to ask if it is possible to secure the firmware in some way so that no one can read or edit it? How would I then handle firmware updates if I didn't want to use the development environment (VS Code) directly?

Yeah this is done using Approtect, you can eg. read about that here and here. We support this on nRF53.

I would like to ask if it is possible to secure the firmware in some way so that no one can read or edit it? How would I then handle firmware updates if I didn't want to use the development environment (VS Code) directly?

You can do fw updates using DFU or FOTA. We have a lot of documentation for this, and there is an introductory course on this here.

Regards,

Elfving

[iotdeveloper]

Hello,

okay, can you please explain step-by-step how to update the nRF7002-DK? I looked at the instructions, but I'm lost and don't understand it at all. I really need help with this, please. I tried to understand it, but I didn't get it.

I don't even know what build target to use for this in development - whether nrf7002dk/nrf5340/cpuapp or /ns version?

Thank you

[Elfving]

If the general FOTA is the main focus here you can for instance have a look at this DevAcademy course, which should introduce everything step by step as well as provide the code.

Regards,

Elfving

[iotdeveloper]

And is there any way to upload a program from another microprocessor connected via UART to the nRF chip? Without need to reconnect the cable or use BLE, but to upgrade the firmware directly from the connected microprocessor?

Thanks

[Elfving]

You can for instance DFU over UART. See here.

Regards,

Elfving