Reading and Modifying Network Core Firmware Version – nRF5340 DK

[S M K Momin]

Dear Nordic Team,

I am currently working with the nRF5340 DK and would like to know whether it is possible to read or retrieve the Network Core firmware version directly from the device.

Specifically, I would like clarification on the following points:

1. Can the Network Core firmware version be accessed programmatically from the Application Core?

2. Is there an API or recommended method in the nRF Connect SDK to obtain this information?

3. Are there any sample codes or reference examples demonstrating how to retrieve the Network Core version?

4. Is it possible to modify or update the reported Network Core firmware version, and if so, what is the recommended approach?

I would appreciate any guidance or documentation references you can provide.

Thank you for your support.

Best regards,
SMK Momin

[Amanda Hsieh]

Hi SMK Momin, 

Check out this post. 

Regards,
Amanda H.

[S M K Momin]

We referred to the link you provided and would like clarification on the following:

Is it possible to access the Network Core firmware version programmatically from the Application Core?

We could not find a clear explanation regarding this. We are able to retrieve the Application Core version by reading FLASH_AREA_ID(image_0) ("App Core"). Similarly, we tried to read FLASH_AREA_ID(image_1) ("Net Core"), but we were unable to obtain the Network Core version.

Could you please provide clarification on this?

[Amanda Hsieh]

What Network Core firmware version would you want to get? Is it the SDC firmware version or FW_INFO_FIRMWARE_VERSION?

May I know your purpose for accessing the Network Core firmware version? For downgrade prevention?

 

[S M K Momin]

Hi Amanda,

Thank you for your follow-up questions.

Regarding which Network Core firmware version we want to access: We are primarily interested in retrieving the FW_INFO_FIRMWARE_VERSION of the Network Core. Our goal is to verify which specific firmware version is currently running on the Network Core during runtime from the Application Core.

Regarding our purpose for accessing this information: We need this for version verification and to transfer metadata to the phone application. Specifically, we want to:

1. Transfer metadata to phone app - The mobile application needs to display the Network Core firmware version to users for transparency and support purposes

2. Firmware update validation - After performing DFU updates, confirm that the Network Core was successfully updated to the correct version

3. Debugging and diagnostics - When troubleshooting issues, we need to know exactly which firmware versions are running on both cores

Regarding your question about downgrade prevention - while that's not our primary use case, we can see how version checking could be used for that purpose as well. Our main focus is ensuring we can read and report the correct firmware information to the connected mobile application.

Could you please clarify if there is a direct API or method to read the Network Core FW_INFO_FIRMWARE_VERSION from the Application Core? We attempted using FLASH_AREA_ID(image_1) but were unsuccessful.

Thank you for your continued support.

Best regards,
SMK Momin

[Amanda Hsieh]

S M K Momin said:

Could you please clarify if there is a direct API or method to read the Network Core FW_INFO_FIRMWARE_VERSION from the Application Core?

Unfortunately, no. See the explanation in this post.