Seeking guidance on NINA-B302 (nRF52840 SoC) development setup and programming

RE: Seeking guidance on NINA-B302 (nRF52840 SoC) development setup and programming

Mridul Bajaj — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:49:53 GMT

I am attempting to debug the nRF52840 SoC directly with an external J-Link on the DK, bypassing the onboard nRF5340 Interface MCU, but the debug session is failing to connect. The board is powered via the nRF USB connector.

I need guidance on the specific hardware or software modifications required ?

Thank you

Mridul Bajaj

RE: Seeking guidance on NINA-B302 (nRF52840 SoC) development setup and programming

Kenneth — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 16:42:42 GMT

If you want to use the DK then check out:
Debug out: https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ug_nrf52840_dk/page/UG/dk/hw_debug_out.html
Debug in: https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ug_nrf52840_dk/page/UG/dk/hw_debug_in_trace.html

If you want to use a stand-alone SEGGER j-link, then just connect it to Debug in and it simply works.

Kenneth

RE: Seeking guidance on NINA-B302 (nRF52840 SoC) development setup and programming

Mridul Bajaj — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 06:42:14 GMT

Thank you for your reply.

I have one further question regarding the nRF52840 Development Kit (DK) setup (images attached). I want to debug the nRF52840 SoC directly using my external J-Link debugger, bypassing the onboard nRF5340 Interface MCU.

Could you please guide me on the specific steps required to achieve this?

RE: Seeking guidance on NINA-B302 (nRF52840 SoC) development setup and programming

Kenneth — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:29:19 GMT

Hello,

For new development you should be using the nRF Connect SDK (the nRF5 SDK is no longer actively maintained or developed on).

To get familiar with nRF Connect SDK check out:
https://academy.nordicsemi.com/
Start with: https://academy.nordicsemi.com/courses/nrf-connect-sdk-fundamentals/

The nRF Connect SDK have board files for u-blox modules:
https://docs.nordicsemi.com/bundle/ncs-latest/page/zephyr/boards/u-blox/index.html

Modules can be programmed using the external Debug out header on an nRF52840-DK or for instance an external SEGGER j-link.

Kenneth