Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

RE: Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

Simon — Tue, 13 Nov 2018 15:07:37 GMT

What I initially spotted, is that you are using a new version of nrfutil, which will not work with SDK 7 and 6. Try using nrfutil version 0.5.1 instead (I have attached the executable). The commands are a little different, but typing nrfutil --help gives more information.

Have you checked if the sd-req numbers are according to the SoftDevice already present on the chip? It should be a sticker on the back showing the version, then check this link to find out what SoftDevice is used. Then, look here to find the correct FWID.

Use the same method as above to find out what SDK the bootloader uses, and make sure the application comes from the same SDK.

However, if somebody else has used the smart beacon before you, chances are big that the chip contains different firmware.

devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../nrfutil.zip

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

Tartheis — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 23:59:49 GMT

It would be nice to work with the hardware I already have, especially since it seems like I'm close to figuring it out.

I've managed to use the nrfutil command to create a .zip package. But when I try to upload this package to the beacon using the nRF beacon app, I receive the error: remote dfu operation failed

This is the code I used to generate the .zip package:
nrfutil pkg generate --hw-version 51 --application myapp.hex --application-version 0xffffffff --sd-req 0x64,0x45,0x5a myapp.zip

Can you help me with this?

RE: Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

Simon — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 16:04:04 GMT

I am sorry for the long delay.

If you are planning on a big project I would absolutely recommend you to buy an nRF51 Development Kit, and program it using the debugger included with the kit. Here is a link explaining how to do it. Developing only using the DFU can be a nightmare, as it won't let you debug your code. In addition, you can not upgrade the SoftDevice over the air nor use any SDK versions above SDK 7. Using a DK will make this possible. Here is an informative link regarding this.

I am not sure what causes the error, I will look into it if you choose to continue with that approach (without DK and programmer).

Best regards,

Simon

RE: Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

Tartheis — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 01:46:14 GMT

I've managed to compile a .hex file in Keil. Now I'm trying to create an init file.

I've installed nrfutil through pip and have been attempting to run code that creates the init file:

nrfutil pkg generate --hw-version 51 --sd-req 0x81 --application-version 4 --application app.hex test.zip

I'm pretty sure my SoftDevice version is wrong since I have 7.1, but the list of SoftDevice codes didn't go up that right. And I don't know my application version. Any help here too?

But I receive this error:

AttributeError: 'dict' object has no attribute 'iteritems'

RE: Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

Tartheis — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 23:37:24 GMT

I've managed to use Keil to compile a new application .hex file, but it failed to upload to the Beacon.

Is it possible to just update the beacon application file, or do I have to re-flash the bootloader as well?

RE: Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

Tartheis — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 22:40:41 GMT

Thanks Simon. I've tried to reply a few times now, but something is wrong with this website.

The main goal is to make the Smart Beacon toggle a GPIO on-board when outside the bluetooth range of the phone.

Since I'm new to this dev. hardware, I'm being careful to not break it. Is it necessary to reprogram the application on the smart beacon to achieve the functionality I want?

I've just downloaded Keil. How do I import the source code of the smart beacon? Is this the correct process for converting an edited "main.c" file back into a ".hex" file?

This development is for a consumer product that I believe has a lot of potential in a large market. So far, the Smart Beacon has proven to be the perfect hardware for this. I just need to learn how to make it toggle a GPIO on-board when outside bluetooth range. But I still would like the app to be able to adjust the transmit power.

RE: Toggle GPIO on Beacon when out of range of Phone?

Simon — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 13:11:42 GMT

Have you seen the Proximity Application example? That example makes it possible to connect to the phone through nRF Connect, and blink a LED on the board when the phone is out of range.

Regarding compiler, if you are using Keil, it should work fine to use the included Arm/C/C++ Compilers.

What specifically is your goal regarding re-programming the Smart Beacon app? My knowledge is not great about this, but I might be able to help you.

Best regards, Simon