Failed to download firmware in Segger Embedded Studio

[kokheng]

Hi,

I have an error to download firmware in nRF52840-DK, from output console show it failed at verification on address 0x00000000. 

I try to compile the light switch example from "\examples\light_switch\client\" folder into two nRF52840-DK boards but somehow only one board success, Can you help me to figure out what happens?

Thanks 

Output Console

Preparing target for download
Executing script TargetInterface.resetAndStop()
Reset: Halt core after reset via DEMCR.VC_CORERESET.
Reset: Reset device via AIRCR.SYSRESETREQ.
Downloading ‘s140_nrf52_6.1.0_softdevice.hex’ to J-Link
Programming 2.5 KB of addresses 00000000 — 00000a17
Programming 147.6 KB of addresses 00001000 — 00025e7b
J-Link: Flash download: Bank 0 @ 0x00000000: 1 range affected (155648 bytes)
J-Link: Flash download: Total time needed: 2.345s (Prepare: 0.048s, Compare: 0.018s, Erase: 0.000s, Program: 2.267s, Verify: 0.003s, Restore: 0.008s)
Verification failed @ address 0x00000000

[kokheng]

when I use the nRF Connect v2.6.1  - Programmer app, it will always be hanged when I flash the s140_nrf52_6.1.0_softdevice.hex.

Is this indicate that the board flash got a problem?

 

[Bjørn Kvaale]

Can you please try to download the light switch example via Segger Embedded Studios? First erase the board (either via nRF Programmer app) or via nrfjprog. Then, compile the example in SES. Next, press Target -> Connect J-Link. Then, press Target -> Download <project name>, where project name could be ble_app_blinky_pca10040_s132 or light switch_pca10040... for example. Does that work?

[kokheng]

I did try above method, it seems like doesn't work. and compare the flash memory with the compiled hex found that some of the hex value is not exactly the same... 

[Bjørn Kvaale]

Which mesh sdk version are you currently using? Are you using this SES project: light_switch_client_nrf52840_xxAA_s140_6_0_0.emProject? Also, how do you know that it seems like it does not work? Have you tried debugging the example? Do you receive any logging output? You can do this directly in SES by pressing F5.

[kokheng]

I use mesh SDK 3.0 and project light_switch_client_nrf52840_xxAA_s140_6_1_0.emProject. 

and below is the output log

Preparing target for download
Executing script TargetInterface.resetAndStop()
Reset: Halt core after reset via DEMCR.VC_CORERESET.
Reset: Reset device via AIRCR.SYSRESETREQ.
Downloading ‘s140_nrf52_6.1.0_softdevice.hex’ to J-Link
Programming 2.5 KB of addresses 00000000 — 00000a17
Programming 147.6 KB of addresses 00001000 — 00025e7b
J-Link: Flash download: Bank 0 @ 0x00000000: 1 range affected (155648 bytes)
J-Link: Flash download: Total time needed: 2.489s (Prepare: 0.118s, Compare: 0.018s, Erase: 0.000s, Program: 2.263s, Verify: 0.002s, Restore: 0.086s)
Verification failed @ address 0x00000000

And unable to debug the code due to it failed during flash verification. 

[Bjørn Kvaale]

I just tested the mesh SDK v3.0 with the light_switch_client_nrf52840_xxAA_s140_6_1_0.emProject & was able to successfully download the code. Which version of SES are you using? I used v3.40. Are you running Windows 10? Could you try to download the mesh sdk v3.0.0 zip again to double check that there is not any issues with linker settings or similar. Or just download the latest mesh sdk & test that instead. 

[kokheng]

I use Mesh SDK v3.1 and v3.0 + light_switch_client_nrf52840_xxAA_s140_6_1_0.emProject, both also failed to download the firmware and using window 10 + ses v4.12.

personally, I don't think is software related problem and It looks like the flash problem.

 

[kokheng]

If this is a hardware failure problem, does the board with any warranty policy? Can i get back a new one nRF52840-DK?

[kokheng]

Hi Bjorn 

I just have another round of testing,

• use Mesh SDK 3.0 +  light_switch_client_nrf52840_xxAA_s140_6_1_0.emProject
• use ID SES v4.12 to build the project and download two nRF52840-DK and the result show that
  • one nRF52840-DK (1) success download the firmware
  • one nRF52840-DK (2) failed to download the firmware, return flash verification error
• Verify the hex file with nRF52840-DK (2) flash memory, found the hex value is not exactly the same

Thus, can you make a comment on this issue? I would like to ask Element14 to return a new nRF52840-DK if you think this is a hardware flash failure. 

Thanks   

[Bjørn Kvaale]

It may be a HW issue, but before we assume that, one more test. Could you please download nrfjprog, then erase the first board via: nrfjprog --eraseall. Then, upload the softdevice via nrfjprog --program path_to_hex_file. The softdevice hex file can be found here: $(SDK_ROOT:../../../../nRF5_SDK_15.2.0_9412b96)/components/softdevice/s132/hex/s132_nrf52_6.1.0_softdevice.hex.

Lastly, use the same command to program the application, which can be found in the build folder. Then, do nrfjprog -r to do a soft reset of the board.

Also, could you please try to do nrfjprog -i. You should receive a number back for both boards.

[kokheng]

Thanks, Bjorn.

please see the result on below two pictures. 

1) number for bad Board - 683620689

2) number for good board - 683607274