Return nRF52840 DK to its out of box condition (firmware, demo)

[damartin77]

How can I return my nRF52840 DK to its out of box condition (firmware, demo) so that I can turn the device over to a colleague and let them run through the getting started guide as if it were a new-unopened device? After loading several demos the steps listed in the getting started guide no longer function. The page (https://www.nordicsemi.com/eng/Products/Getting-started-with-the-nRF52840-Development-Kit) has a link to firmware version 1.1.0 (though the linked zip file has 52832 in its name). I applied it and the NFC/phone URL load part of the demo works but not controlling the LED with button presses. Thanks for any help.

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

The DK comes programmed with the 'preflash example', you can find it in the SDK under nRF5_SDK_15.2.0_9412b96\examples\peripheral\preflash. Loading a few demos should not change the ability to run this example, but you can try eraseall or recover if you have not already done so. See nrfjprog documentation. If you have made any HW changes, e.g. cut solder bridges you probably need to revert that as well.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[damartin77]

Hi.  Can you elaborate on 'Loading a few demos should not change the ability to run this example'? What is the process for achieving that? My process was to drop the demo hex file on to the JLINK drive. For example I dropped heart_rate_demo.hex onto the JLINK drive and then that demo works but the preflash example stops working, seems like one demo at a time can be run. I dropped the preflash_pca10056.hex onto the heart_rate_demo.hex file onto the JLINK drive and then that demo works. Also, is 'nrf52832_xxaa.hex' the right firmware file for the nRF52840? Thanks for your help.

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

You need to program the chip with the correct FW, for the examples indicated in the names with either 'nrf52840' or 'PCA10056'. Some applications might work on e.g. nRF52840, even though it has been built for nRF52832, but you should not count on it. In this case the two applications do run, but the different development kits (for nRF52832 and nRF52840) do not have LEDs and buttons connected to the same GPIOs, so the application is toggling the incorrect pins if not programmed with the correct version. This is why the NFC is working, but the LEDs do not flash. (P0.17, the pin which is LED1 on the nRF52832 can be seen to toggle if you scope/voltmeter SB13/23, near U3 below the chip, if you want to verify)

The getting started guide links to the incorrect version. I apologize for the confusion, I will report this.

 

Best regards,

Andreas