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Bare-programming nrf51822

Hello all,

Weve figured out our hardware issues (pin arraignment) and are successfully programming via JLink.

Our goal is to replicate the bootloader/softdevice/firmware build of the Adafruit BLE Friend (our MCU firmware uses many of the features from the Adafruit setup) on bare MDBT40’s from Raytac.

To that end, we’ve managed to (through nrfGo) load a bare device with s110_nRF51822_7.1.0_softdevice.hex, and blefriend_s110_xxaa_0_5_0_150224_blefriend_release.hex.

The programming takes and the module boots up into data-mode (2 LED blinks) and can be connected to via the iOS app from Adafruit.

However...

When we try to load up a later firmware/softdevice combo (s110_nRF51_8.0.0_softdevice.hex and blespifriend_s110_xxac_0_7_7_161213_blespifriend.hex) we get a dead/hung module.

We know that it’s the correct combo, as it works on modules that were purchased from Adafruit. I’ve also tried adding the signature hex file as well via JLink command line.

The board just doesn’t come back after loading everything up.

I have managed to load the 8.0.0 softdevice, and the v2 bootloader and that puts the module into DFU- I can then load up that 0.7.7 firmware but I end up with the same dead/hung board.

I was hoping the sig upload would do the trick or the CRC generation by the Adafruit iOS app, but I’m lost. I’ve lost 2 weeks to figuring out the hardware part and really need these units programmed; hoping I’m close.

Thank you.

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  • Hi,

     

    Which version of the MDBT40 module do you have? According to the readme you linked to, the FW will not work on parts with 16 kB RAM:

    For the V1 (blue PCB) Bluefruit LE Friend, which is based on the first generation 16KB SRAM nRF51822 parts, you must use the 0.5.0 or lower series firmware.

    The 0.6.0+ series firmware only works with newer boards based on 32KB SRAM nrf51822 parts like the Bluefruit LE UART Friend or V2 of the Bluefruit LE Friend (black PCBs). The 0.6.0+ firmware won't boot on older 16KB SRAM parts.

     

    Please double-check that your module has the nRF51822_xxAC variant (256k flash, 32k RAM).

     

    Best regards,

    Håkon

Reply
  • Hi,

     

    Which version of the MDBT40 module do you have? According to the readme you linked to, the FW will not work on parts with 16 kB RAM:

    For the V1 (blue PCB) Bluefruit LE Friend, which is based on the first generation 16KB SRAM nRF51822 parts, you must use the 0.5.0 or lower series firmware.

    The 0.6.0+ series firmware only works with newer boards based on 32KB SRAM nrf51822 parts like the Bluefruit LE UART Friend or V2 of the Bluefruit LE Friend (black PCBs). The 0.6.0+ firmware won't boot on older 16KB SRAM parts.

     

    Please double-check that your module has the nRF51822_xxAC variant (256k flash, 32k RAM).

     

    Best regards,

    Håkon

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