Application stuck after bootloader start with WDT enabled

[gsalazar]

Hi,

I am using a custom board with the nrf52832 with SDK 13 and I have a bootloader and an application that both configure and feed the WDT.

However, upon restart (power off, followed by a power on) the application sometimes starts but gets stuck. This occurs at random instants and I see that the application starts with a LED right at the beginning of the code. However nothing else after that runs.

What might be causing this? I do need the WDT in the app and the bootloader to ensure that the MCU can recover properly

Thank you in advance.

[Sigurd]

Hi,

What WDT configuration are you using ? What behaviour and reload_value have you set?

Have you tried increasing the reload_value ?

[gsalazar]

Hi, 

I have the behaviour set as NRF_WDT_BEHAVIOUR_PAUSE_SLEEP_HALT and a reload time of 5 minutes.

Increase it to more than 5 minutes, I cannot really move it up due to the application that I have.

Thanks

[Sigurd]

OK, and when you don't start the WDT in the bootloader, the issue disappear ?

[gsalazar]

Yes, from the tests I performed if I do not use the WDT in the bootloader I cannot reproduce the problem. If I remove the WDT from the application the problem persists.

[Sigurd]

Have you tried running a debug session to see where you get stuck? It could be that you are running into the error-handler? Please see this post.

[gsalazar]

I tried running a debug session but when compiling with debug and no optimizations I cannot reproduce the problem.

[Sigurd]

Are you using DC/DC mode? Does the custom board have the DC/DC components, inductor L2 and L3?

[gsalazar]

I have both inductors with the same values and assembly as presented in the reference HW guide.

Do I need to explicitly enable the DC/DC mode?

[Sigurd]

If you have the inductors, then the DC/DC mode is not what is causing the issue. To answer your question; yes, you need to explicitly enable DC/DC mode. Use sd_power_dcdc_mode_set(NRF_POWER_DCDC_ENABLE) to enable it.