Building my first code with softdevice

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

Matt — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 22:21:31 GMT

I'm just too old fashioned I guess, as I still prefer to start with the good old breadboard :)

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

PaulP — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 22:15:30 GMT

I got the micro-bit for £9UK maybe around $14. The only reason I got it (for her... I have far to many uC boards here already) was for the simple block programming and educational support - these have being free given to all UK school children (last year - not sure what age group) and are being used in current lessons. Have a look at the web site www.microbit.co.uk/home - you can try the block coding stuff with out logging in or anything so it's very child friendly (as are the physical boards).

By the way... I'm not associated in any way, just think it's a nice starting place for the next gen.

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

Matt — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 21:06:36 GMT

Micro Bit is too pricy; the nRF52 breakout board that I played with before was < USD$9 :)

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

PaulP — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 20:40:30 GMT

LOL... no dev boards for me... tho I did get my 5yr old niece a BBC Micro Bit.... Soshe can make LED's flash... just like me!

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

Matt — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:47:18 GMT

Good to hear you are off the naughty list :) As for X'mas shopping... how about a few more nRF52 breakout boards (yeah, to test your SWD programming skills, ha ha) under the x'mas tree?

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

PaulP — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:34:46 GMT

Sorted :-D Many thanks! I used nRFgo to load softdevice then my .hex and now appears to be working as expected.

I can't see how to convert you comment to answer.

Thanks again... I can go do xmas shopping happy now :-D

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

PaulP — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:24:18 GMT

Ohhh.. I gotta try this before I go out!!! (I've been using the drag n drop!)

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

Hung Bui — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:16:55 GMT

@PaulP: The pre-compiled version has the softdevice included, that's why it's 452kB. To test the hex file that you compiled yourself, you need to flash the softdevice first, then flash the application hex. Make sure you use nrfjprog.exe or Jlink.exe to flash, don't do drag and drop.

I suggest to test first by using make to compile directly with gcc. Eclipse is not recommended, if you want a free IDE, you can try Segger Embedded Studio. It's free if you use with Nordic chip. SES is supported natively in SDK v14.2

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

PaulP — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:59:42 GMT

No I don't see anything in the app with my version, also LED1 does not flash, also no data via the serial COM.. basically appears dead!

I've gotta go out for a few hours, but when get back I will attempt to get the debug running and update here once I've done it.

I still don't understand why the pre-compiled version is 452KB and mine only 108KB

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

Matt — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:47:19 GMT

So with your own version do you see the DK in the nRF Connect app when you power it up? Are you familiar with Segger Real Time Trace? You can add segger rtt to the main() of the sample code and see if there is anything displayed in the RTT viewer in the windows pc.

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

PaulP — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 13:08:48 GMT

I have tested the SDK pre-compiled example with a PC COM Terminal to DK, and DK via BLE to phone (running Nordic app) as mentioned before that all works as expected.

I have followed the instructions as in the link above (tho for SDK 14.2) I just can't compile a working version myself.

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

Matt — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:41:03 GMT

The ble_app_uart example is about the Nordic Uart Service (NUS) correct? To test that one you need to have another nRF device (another DK or the nRF51 dongle) or the nRF Connect app in the smartphone to connect to the nRF52 DK and then send some text from the dongle/app to the DK. Please refer to

infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp Software Development Kit > nRF5 SDK > nRF5 SDK v14.0.0 > Examples > Bluetooth low energy examples > BLE Peripheral > UART/Serial Port Emulation over BLE

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

PaulP — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 11:52:51 GMT

Hi Matt, I have re-loaded the soft device from the SDK, but no change! I 'think' the softdevive must be OK as the pre-compiled example run's fine - unless this somehow has the softdevice within itself. (this would explain my .hex size difference?)

RE: Building my first code with softdevice

Matt — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 20:22:00 GMT

Have you loaded the softdevice into the nRF52 already?