Programm nRF51822 with STM32, factory bootloader

[Chris]

Hi :)

I developed my Bluetooth app with MBed and the RedBear BLE nano module. My jumper wire installation connecting an stm32 with the module is working great and everybody is happy.

Now I need to make a design in and I want to put the my host controller (STM32) on the same PCB as the Nordic nRf51 SOC.

The question no is how to program the Nordic chip when soldered, is there an example how I could program the Nordic SOC with an STM32?

We will need to program many of these units that's why we need an automatic process. I thought about something that the STM32 is programming the .hex file to the Nordic Chip automatically at the first start by UART.

I hope you can help me, any links and documentations are helpful for me to.

Thanks in advance Chris

[Hung Bui]

Hi Chris,

If you don't plan to implement SWD programmer interface to the nRF51, you can think of using the serial bootloader (or it could also be BLE bootloader, so you can wirelessly update the nRF51 and maybe also the STM32 via bluetooth). Serial bootloader and BLE bootloader is provided in our nRF5 SDK. mBed also has FOTA but it doesn't support serial as far as I know.

We also have an SPI bootloader on github here.

Another solution is to have a third party company flash the nRF51 chip for you when it's in the reel before mounting to the PCB.

[Chris]

Hi Hung, Thanks for your reply and the Links. Things are much clearer now.

One more question: Is the serial bootloader already activated on a nRF51 out of the factory?

Cheers, Chris

[Hung Bui]

Hi Chirs,

No, the nRF5x chip comes out of the production blank.