nRF52840 and ST-Link V2

[Aru16]

Dear Team,

I am using ST-Link V2 connector to program a nRF52840 board. When connected to a laptop and try to connect to the target, it says 'ST Link USB Communication Error', as shown in the attached picture.

The firmware is the recent one, drivers are up to date, and the pins are connected as per the pin configuration.

SWDIO -> SWDIO(nRF board)

SWCLK->SWCLK(nRF board)

GND-> GND(nRF board)

5.0V->VIN 3-5 (nRF board)(also tried connecting to VDD).

Also tried connecting the reset to the ground and remove during the connection process, but of no use.

 Can someone help me to make the connection between these two, by letting me know where am doing wrong or do I need to install any additional drivers?

[haakonsh]

I doubt the ST has support for nRF devices, you'll need a J-link debugger. The nRF52 DK's has on-board j-Links that you can use to debug external boards. 

[Aru16]

Hello Haakonsh,

Thanks for the reply. An update on the issue,  the dialogue box, "USB comm error", can be seen even the target, nRF board, is not attached to the ST-Link. 

[haakonsh]

If this is an ST-link issue then you should ask ST for help. My advice is to get your hands on a J-link, either the J-link OB on our DKs or an standard In-circuit J-link.

[Aru16]

Yeah, I did ask for the help from ST.

Also, am trying to use the j-link edu connector now. I got the error as mentioned here. Trying to follow the steps as discussed there, but unable to solve the issue. If you can suggest anything, it will be a great help. And my requirement is not to use the In-circuit J-link.

[awneil]

Aru16 said:

the dialogue box, "USB comm error", can be seen even the target, nRF board, is not attached to the ST-Link

So, as haakonsh says, your problem is clearly nothing to do with the nRF board - you have a fundamental problem with your ST-Link.

Again, you need to go to ST for help with that!

But why mess about with unsupported tools?

If you can't afford a standalone J-Link, then just buy an nRF kit with an on-board J-Link - that can be used to program off-board devices.

And you'll get all the debugging features, too!

[Aru16]

Hello Awneil,

Thanks for your time in giving the reply. I know its an st-link error, but checking if someone has the similar issue and got any solution to resolve it.  

Moreover, I am using the onboard J-link debugger to program the devices now, but my requirement is to not use the onboard debugger.

[awneil]

Aru16 said:

checking if someone has the similar issue and got any solution to resolve it. 

Again, as it's an ST product, the ST forums would be the best place to find such people!

"my requirement is to not use the onboard debugger"

Why?