Programming External nrf51822 module with nrf51-dk not working

[eddienuel]

I uploaded a sample code into an external nrf51822 module using nrf51-dk as explained by this blog www.instructables.com/.../. power supply for the external module was from nrfdk-51. I did not get a failed.txt as i dragged the .hex to the jlink folder and also got a success when i used J-Flash Lite to upload the code, everything seemed to be fine. but i could not tell if the program was even running as the LED connected to P0.14 was not flashing as expected but flashes on nrf51-dk board. My connections were just VDD, GND and P0.14 connected to an LED. am i missing anything else? am i suppose to do some pull ups /down on any pin, like SWDIO? please i need help. the module is (yj-1 4015 nrf51822). Thanks

[Håkon Alseth]

Hi,

 

You need to connect VTG to VDD in order to power your external board with the same voltage as the nRF5x-DK is, just like shown in this thread:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/14058/external-programming-using-nrf52-dk/53757#53757

 

The "VTG" pin on header P20 is actually an input to tell the debugger IC to use P20 for programming. If this is not set (read: applied 3.0V to), it will program using the "internal programming port" and thus program your on-board nRF instead.

 

Kind regards,

Håkon

[eddienuel]

Thanks for your response, I unnderstand what you said but apparently i had already done and verified that the program does not go to the onboard BLE chip in 51DK. My connections are exactly as the ones in this diagram:

sorry i pulled that image from the link you shared in your previous reply.

But this is the case; When i used jflash lite to program or i just dragged and dropped the .hex file into the j-link folder, i got success (No fail.txt for drag and drop and "success" message for Jflash lite) on these three different boards and modules

Board 1.

Module 2

module 3

The result:

The program ran only on module 3. The program simply advertizes. So with no failures on the three modules when programming them, why would the other two modules not function as expected like module 3?. This is my frustration. do i need more than just supplying the VDD and GND 3.3v and 0 for the chip to function. I have checked the reference circuitry for nrf51822 theres actually no need for an external pull up on SWDIO. The modules just look lifeless when i power them with 3.3v from nrf51-DK board.  And if the chips (modules) are damaged should i have been able to do erase, program etc on them using jFLASH lite? Thanks as i hope for a reply.

[Håkon Alseth]

Could you check that module #1 and #2 are actually powered as expected (~3V) from the nRF5x-DK?

You only need VDD, GND, SWDIO, and SWDCLK connected to your external module.

 

I'd recommend that you use J-Link Commander or nrfjprog (nrfjprog -e, nrfjprog --program <hex file>) for testing the connectivity of these modules instead of jFLASH Lite.

 

Best regards,

Håkon