Flashing Interface MCU for nRF52PDK

[jayaram]

Hi,

May I know, How to flash the firmware for ATSAM4 which is used for flashing and debugging nRF52840. And also how to get the firmware?

[Jørgen Holmefjord]

Hi,

The procedure to flash the interface MCU of the nrF52840 PDK is described on this infocenter page.

The J-Link OB IF firmware can be found here.

Best regards,

Jørgen

[jayaram]

Thanks a lot Jorgen,

In infocenter page it is mentioned that "The on-board interface MCU is factory programmed with an mbed compliant bootloader". Actually I am planning to make a small board with just nordic radio and the firmware interface controller by referring through PDK schematic. So, I have to purchase ATSAM4 and nRF52840 and integrate them. In this context, what would be the procedure to flash?

[Jørgen Holmefjord]

You need to check the datasheet of the Atmel chip you are using for details on how to flash it. Note that the nRF52840 PDK use a ATSAM3U2CA-AU as the IF chip. Are you planning to use the mbed firmware?

[jayaram]

Yes I am planning to use mbed firmware. And sorry I have given wrong atmel number, it should be ATSAM3U2CA-AU as you said. Please help me, how to get the exact firmware and flashing procedure.

[jayaram]

Jorgen, I need a clarification about firmware. Whether atmel will provide the chip with default segger firmware? And whatever firmware we upgrade it will be stored either in ROM or flash of ATSAM?

Please correct me in the below context:

1. To flash firmware in to ATSAM we need JLINK tool and KEIL IDE for compiling (if required).
2. Supporting segger or mbed firmware can be downloaded from nordic website.

[RK]

Atmel provides the chip with nothing on it at all. You'll need a programmer to program it.

As for firmware - as far as I'm aware the Segger firmware is not available for you to download and use in a 3rd party product. It's licensed to Nordic for use in their products. If you want to use JLink OB on your device you need to go talk to Segger and purchase it from them.

MBED I have no idea about the licensing requirements, but you should go and look for them.

Do you really actually want a debugger on the board anyway or do you just want the USB CDC data connection? If you just need that, a cheap FTDI chip will do it for you.