nRF Connect Programming PCA10059 issue

[ashwin]

I am quite confused about how to go about programming the nRF52840 Dongle. The "programming" page on infocenter says that it can be programmed through the nRF Connect Programmer Application.

It seems that I can program soft devices with no issues. But when I try the blinky_pca10059_mbr.hex, I'm getting the "DFU Failed. Reason: Too many write failures" error. 

Can you please guide me in programming the nRF52840 Dongle?

[Martin Lesund]

Hi Ashwin,

- Note that the "Programmer" app in nRF Connect for desktop is still in experimental stage, so some inconsistencies may be experienced.

The nRF52840 dongle does not have a programming chip on board, so it is programmed through USB DFU.

• First, make sure you have the newest nRF Connect version (currently v2.4) and that the apps are fully updated.
• Then hit the reset button on the dongle so it's in "bootloader mode" (Red LED blinking)
• Run the "Programmer" app and select the Dongle
• Go to [nRF5_SDK_15.0.0_a53641a\examples\peripheral\blinky\pca10059\mbr] and build a new .hex file with your favorite IDE.
• Then add the new (found in _build folder) .hex file in the "Programmer" app and hit "Write all to Devkit"

-it should look something like this:

Now your dongle should run the Blinky example

 

[ashwin]

Hi Martin, 

I have followed the steps you have given me in your response.

I used IAR as my preferred IDE. I found the .hex file in \examples\peripheral\blinky\pca10059\mbr\iar\_build. The hex file is entitled blinky_pca10059_mbr.hex. I then added it to the programmer app on nRF connect, and clicked "Write all to Devkit". This is the result:

 

Note, I have the latest version of nRF connect - v2.4.

I do not know what that error means. 

[Martin Lesund]

Hi Ashwin,

Is this an recurring error that happens every time?

Also which IAR version are you using? (please read release notes for the SDK about IAR)

Could you try to build with SES and try to write that build file to see if that could make any difference?

[Michael]

Hi Martin,

I tried this with the Segger compiler (taking the hex file from the "Output\Release\Exe\" folder and dropped it into nRF Connect..... It worked for me. 

I think the key error for me was that I was using the Blinky example from the PCA10056 folder (DK) and then modifying the '.emproject' file to change the board type, instead of using the example from the PCA10059 folder (dongle).

I guess you must be doing something in the build process to align the hex code in readiness for programming via the boot loader/DFU for the PCA10059 (am I assuming right Martin)?????

Cheers

Michael

[Michael]

Hi Martin

Could you if possible explain the process needed to take an existing PCA10056 project and convert it for the PCA10059 board so that it can be programmed via the bootloader/DFU ??

Cheers

Michael