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Availability of reference designs?

Folks,

I've designed and implemented two product prototypes using the QFN package for the nRF51822. Now I need to move to the BGA version to shrink the designs. The nRF51822 Product Spec version 2.0 says: > 11.3 WLCSP package > Documentation for the WLCSP package reference circuit, including Altium Designer files, PCB layout files, and PCB production files, can be downloaded from www.nordicsemi.com. Hmm.... where? If I look for reference designs on the main website, all I can find are Reference Designs for specific dev kits and *products*, e.g., the nRF51822 Beacon. If I'm interested in a design for the WLCSP package, I have to poke around to find out which *product* uses it. And to add insult to injury, I have to buy one of these *products* to get access to the design files. Hardly a significant cost in money, but irritating and a waste of time. I have to order one, pay for premium shipping, and then enter the product key. And if I want to check out some variations, e.g., in he remote control, repeat the process. My daughter, the lawyer, would call this an example of "bait and switch"*. I would never say that :) but as a former manager of a developer support team at a major technology manufacturer (named after a fruit), I wonder what the reasoning behind this process is: too small a cost to keep out the riffraff and too much of a bother to facilitate adoption of your products. Sigh.... off to place a Digikey order, Mike *Kristin, you need to be careful in your responses, too. In the posting referenced below, you say "*You can download reference designs for the nRF51822 for both the QFN and WLCSP packages on the nRF51822 webpage, under the downloads tab, in the reference layout section.*" without noting that they're locked without a product key ;)
  • Hi Mike

    No need for a product key. Just log in to Mypage and it will be available. If you don't have an account to Mypage, it's free to create one.

    The reference layouts can be found under the "download" tab on the nRF51822 page.

  • Ketil,

    Thank you for the prompt reply. Unfortunately, your instructions didn't work for me. I logged into the nordicsemi.com website (using my pre-existing account) and went to "My page", then to "My downloads", where I can find three pages of downloads to which I have access, not including any of the beacon docs. I can find the beacon docs on its product page (see the attached image) and download the beacon user guide (yellow arrow). But any attempt to download the HW reference guide (red arrow) leads to the yellow pop-up shown. I even added the beacon to "My products", but without a key, the red padlock doesn't go away.

    Am I missing something? Looks like I still need to buy a Beacon to access the HW Reference docs.

    Mike

    PS: After I've once downloaded the beacon user guide, it does show up in "My Downloads".

    nRF51822_Bluetooth_Smart_Beacon_Kit.png

  • Mike PhD,

    I'd love to give you direct help but I don't want to hear from "your daughter the lawyer" if it doesn't materially help you. I suggest that instead you open a support case on the nordicsemi.com site and sit on your hands for a day until the engineers there assist you. (Which they will as they are more responsive than any semiconductor/SoC chip vendor I've used in the past 23 years.)

    Best, Dan

  • Some documents can be accessed just by logging in, but some require the key that comes with the kit. In the latter cases, you can also contact out local sales manager. Please send us a message on Mypage for the contact information.

  • Ketil,

    Thanks for the help. Got the beacon docs OK (and have also ordered a Smart Beacon kit; looks like a cute device :)

    Mike (who can now work on how to shrink the design even further :)

    PS for Dan: I'll tell my daughter, the lawyer, to stay away from you. ;) And glad that you've had good experience with Nordic support (as exemplified by Ketil in this case). I certainly am enjoying working with the nRF51822.

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