New to NRF51422

[D_Hercules]

I am developing a product where I need to read a signal from an SPI ADC and send remotely to a receiver. This will be powered of a coin cell. I see that the NRF51422 is low power, but I am confused about how to program it... is the software available able to load a defined program on the NRF51422 much like any other microcontroller? or this chip is only useful for handling the signal transmission?

Is there another NRF chip that comes in a more friendly package, like soic or QFN? maybe less pins, but easier to prototype?

Thanks.. A little bit of pointers will go a long way. Right now I am using the NRF24L01 with an atmel micro, but I want to save space in my board by combining mcu and transmission in one chip.

[D_Hercules]

Last question: (very appreciative of the help).

I want to jump-start this process of learning the NRF51422. I found the following in ebay (which can solve my problems with refluxing):

www.ebay.com/.../232242607835

I see it has limited pins.... Those are GPIO. 2 I think are used for programming? right? Can the rest of pins be declared for communication (UART) so I can connect a GPS module? Or declared as digital communication so I can connect an ADC or LCD or OLED screen or anything I want.. Right? I am WAY to used to arduino nomenclature, where pins are already declared and with a specific purpose. I think this architecture is a little bit different and more flexible. Just want to make sure I pick the right module to start learning.

Thanks again

[RK]

yes you can pretty much use any pin you like for anything, except SWDIO/SWDCLK and the crystal pins etc. You're not really tied down at all. With many MCUs (Atmel for instance which I like and use a lot) you can mux a pin to a variety of functions but there's only a few options for each pin. With the nRF51 you basically put the pin number you want to use in a TXPIN/RXPIN .. etc register.

If you're going with a module then that one is very cheap - I will however put in a pitch for this one as I've had a lot of success with Rigado modules, you have even more pins and their support is great. Those modules I can solder by hand if necessary (the newer Rigados based on the nRF52 need reflow but aren't that hard).

[D_Hercules]

ok, I have ordered 5 of those. But I am confused... do I need obligatorily the board on this link to program it? or to program the other board that I also showed in my previous link?

programmer

I will use GCC since its free... unless you recommend another one free as well. Regards,

Daniel Hercules

[RK]

no - but you need some kind of programmer which talks SWD. The advantage of the nordic board is that first off it's a good dev board, secondly all the examples are designed to work with it (buttons,leds,UART..) and third it has JLink-OB which both programs the on board nRF51 and can also be used for debug out, ie to program a custom board with an nRF51 on it. It's a good way to develop the custom software you're going to put on your actual board. Or get a Segger JLink or a guy here sells IDAP-Link as a standalone programmer.

You'll need to put some kind of debug header on your custom board, probably best to stick to the 0.5" FTSH 10 pin connector (there are cheaper versions) as you just then use a straight thru from the nRF51 to your board.

GCC works, very terminal-ish. If you are doing non-commercial work I like Segger Embedded Studio for IDE. Some people like eclipse, I don't.

[D_Hercules]

Wow, thanks a lot for the help. I just bought the DK actually. Segger sounds like a great software. I wonder what can be used for going commercial... one day I want to sell my device... years from now. I wish there was a free free no limits software to use out there.... I dont understand the rationale of this devices not being able to be programmed for free. what is the contact of the IDAP-Link person that sells that device? is there other software that is free that used with that device gives me access to program NRF for free?

Regards,

Daniel Hercules