Understand nRF52840 Dongle programming with nRFConnect

RE: Understand nRF52840 Dongle programming with nRFConnect

Marjeris Romero — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 08:02:41 GMT

Hi Matheus, please open a new ticket with a new question.

RE: Understand nRF52840 Dongle programming with nRFConnect

MATHEUS — Thu, 13 Jun 2019 07:21:39 GMT

Hello I'm trying to flash a bootloader from adafuit but I'm not able to generate use such keys.

Is there any link of the private key you are referring to so i can sign the zip package?

The bootloader that I'm trying to flash is this one: https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit_nRF52_Bootloader/releases/download/0.2.11/pca10059_bootloader-0.2.11_s140_6.1.1.hex

RE: Understand nRF52840 Dongle programming with nRFConnect

Marjeris Romero — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:54:40 GMT

Hi Ed,

That's right, I should have explained things more in detailed. The error message you get it's just because the bootloader demands to have a signed package in order to start the update process. This is done so you don't overwrite the bootloader by accident.

You can still overwrite the bootloader using the SWI interface.

Regards,

Marjeris

RE: Understand nRF52840 Dongle programming with nRFConnect

Ed Wios — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 05:46:24 GMT

@msromero Me, too, have been troubling with the nRF52840 dongle's bootloader for days, trying to get a custom bootloader onto the dongle without success. Now seeing your reply I finally understood.

But then, the issue is when I tried to program a bootloader using the nRF Connect, I've got this error [DFU failed: Error message for known extended error code from DFU target: The init packet does not contain a signature. This bootloader requires DFU updates to be signed.] thus implying the boot loader on the dongle can be programmed via the nRF Connect. That's what got me confused since the nRF Connect does not accept a zip file, and I have found no way to sign a .hex file using my private key generated from nrfutil...

If what you said still hold true, then the nRF Connect need to be updated to reflect the correct error when someone is trying to overwrite the bootloader.

I am using nRF Connect on the Mac OS.

BR/

RE: Understand nRF52840 Dongle programming with nRFConnect

Marjeris Romero — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 12:38:29 GMT

Hi Adrian,

It is not possible to overwrite the bootloader during normal operation using the programming app. If you physically connect to the debug interface of the dongle with an external debugger, then there is no memory protection and it is then possible to overwrite the bootloader.

[quote userid="2740" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/40806/understand-nrf52840-dongle-programming-with-nrfconnect"] What combinations of HEX files (application, bootloader, softdevices) can be written to the dongle?[/quote]

Application + Softdevice.

[quote userid="2740" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/40806/understand-nrf52840-dongle-programming-with-nrfconnect"]How can we recover back to an initial image that came preinstalled on delivery?[/quote]

Is not exactly the same, but you can upload the "open bootloader" from the SDK from "\examples\dfu\open_bootloader\pca10059_usb".

Best Regards,

Marjeris