Production programming and testing

[PM Bubblynet]

Hi,

We are preparing the first "production" run and we are looking on alternatives for production programming and testing, so far our factory used nRFgo for the pre-series and prototyping, I found 

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/index.jsp?topic=%2Fcom.nordic.infocenter.gs%2Fdita%2Fgs%2Fprod_test_prog.html&cp=1_0_6 

and 

https://www.nordicsemi.com/DocLib/Content/User_Guides/getting_started/latest/UG/gs/prod_test_prog 

but the nRFgo is not mentioned there... I guess that nRFgo is more intended for low volume since its fairly slow compared to the SEGGER programmers for example...?

We will be using In System programming btw.

Also on the integration module of our module (NINA B112 with nRF52932)

https://www.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/NINA-B1_SIM_%28UBX-15026175%29.pdf

on section 2.3 about flashing it does mention nRFgo on the SWD section 2.3.2, however they say something weird regarding the Bluetooth device address will be erased and needs to be rewrite through AT commands? 

in general, is it a very bad idea to use nRFgo for production? the volumes we are expecting are not very high comparing to consumer electronics, roughly 1000pcs / month for the next few months. 

[haakonsh]

"We will be using In System programming btw."
- I'm assuming you're using the Ublox connectivity firmware and in that case it seems like a serial DFU. Your in-system programmer should be able to do that. To be honest this sound more like a question for Ublox as it's their DFU solution. 

[PM Bubblynet]

Hi! no, we are not using uBlox connectivity firmware, as mentioned we use nRFgo at the moment, the definition of "In System programming" comes from your user guide: https://www.nordicsemi.com/DocLib/Content/User_Guides/getting_started/latest/UG/gs/prod_test_prog : 

In-system programming (ISP)

ISP is used when programming is needed after the assembly of the final PCB.

We do this because the same communication module will be used on different products, so we have a TagConnect http://www.tag-connect.com/ quick connect programming cable.

[PM Bubblynet]

Hi! I checked pynrfjprog and its advertised for testing so not sure about being a solution for a production environment? may I ask if you have seen pynrfjprog being use to programming modules at factories?

[haakonsh]

Some customers have used it for lower volume stuff, like your use case.

[PM Bubblynet]

Hi! sorry to put this on the fridge for a bit... we got into the Mesh DFU and the programming procedure is kind of specific for this... https://www.nordicsemi.com/DocLib/Content/SDK_Doc/Mesh_SDK/v3-1-0/md_doc_libraries_dfu_dfu_protocol since this has a special programming procedure due the DFU / Devide page etc... May I ask if pynrfjprog and IDAP-Link works for this special DFU programming?

[Nguyen Hoan Hoang]

I haven't tried mesh dfu.  Reading about it, I think the IDAP can flash the dfu but the device page must be merged into the dfu.hex first.  It does not have the ability yet to do it on it own.   

[haakonsh]

If you have access to the debug port then you can flash whatever you want with a programmer that supports the SWO interface and our devices.