Alternative way to re-flash Interface MCU using TC2050(J3) on PCA10040?

[wanyancan]

Hi, in my previous attempt to fix n52DK, I fixed the n52DK board's power rail. It turns out not the problem of the interface MCU shorting VDD.

But when I followed the instruction to reprogram interface MCU using nRF5x-OB-JLink-IF (nRF5x-OB-mbed-IF as well) , I can't see the bootloader as a mass storage drive in windows after holding RESET button during power on.

It won't show up as JLink as well during normal power on. The LEDs(LD5) simply don't light up after plugging into USB with PC. 

Fortunately I do have TC2050 cable with Atmel programmer. Therefore I try to re-flash this interface MCU using the on-board SWD interface J3. 

Would you please confirm whether I can use these two bin files provided on page https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/Bluetooth-low-energy/nRF52-DK ?

I sincerely appreciate the other replacement DK board.  But I just can't give up without knowing the reason the DK board broken.

[wanyancan]

I found that the XTAL pin is not running at all. Does it mean that the Interface MCU SAM3U is already dead? 

From DAPLink's source, usually the bootloader is always able to run no matter what flash is written. And the LED indicator is the first thing when the MCU boots. 

I guess it's not possible to program it any more.

[bjorn-spockeli]

HI Shun, are you referring to the X20 crystal or are you referring to the SWDCLK pin of the ATSAM3U?

[wanyancan]

Sorry I didn't make the question clear.

The following picture is from nRF52 DK Hardware Files V1.2.1

The problem is as below:

In rectangle 1, the LD5 didn't light up no matter whether the DK board is in normal mode or bootloader refreshing mode (after holding reset during power on). The PC can't detect any mass storage device.

So I measure the XTAL(X3)'s XOUT pin with oscilloscope in rectangle 2. No clock running at all.

I want to buy JLink programmer with SWD debug cable connecting to J3 Interface MCU programming connector. I'm trying to write flash directlly to this SAM3U. 

Now the question is, if the SAM3U chip is still fine, am I able to reprogram interface MCU using nRF5x-OB-JLink-IF (nRF5x-OB-mbed-IF as well) firmware ? Am I able to program it without its X3 crystal running? 

Best Regards,

Leo

[bjorn-spockeli]

It could be that the bootloader on the ATSAM3 has been erased and there is no firmware runing on the device that requires the external 12Mhz XTAL to run. I have attached both the JLINK firmware as well as the bootloader .bin files. 

JLINK Restore.zip

Best regards

Bjørn 

[wanyancan]

Awesome! I'll give it a shot and let you know later!

THANK YOU!