Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

Bjørn Kvaale — Tue, 21 May 2019 12:22:23 GMT

[quote user="sonus89"]How can I set this parameter if I use ARMGCC instead of SEGGER emStudio?[/quote]

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

Bjørn Kvaale — Tue, 21 May 2019 12:15:48 GMT

That's weird. I have opened the ble_app_blinky for pca10059 (the 52840 dongle) (path: nRF5_SDK_15.3.0_59ac345\examples\ble_peripheral\ble_app_blinky\pca10059\s140\ses) & I receive a code & a debug section:

I am using v4.12 of SES. It should also appear in newer versions of SES AFAIK. Beware that the dongle does not have an unboard debugger, as it does not have the Segger J-Link chip like the DKs have. If you want to debug, you'll need to do this via a JLINK.

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

sonus89 — Tue, 14 May 2019 16:01:20 GMT

Thanks very much! Now I can compile and upload all my project using ARMGCC + nRF Connect.
The issue with SEGGER emStudio is that I simply don't have a DEBUG section ( no Linker options! ) in the emStudio.

My Project options look like this:

There is only 'Code' section. I thought this is because of the license. Maybe I'm wrong.

Thanks anyways!
You answer was super useful!! I think the softdevice location should be part of the Dongle Programming Tutorial to help others as well!

Cheers

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

awneil — Tue, 14 May 2019 15:56:50 GMT

[quote userid="76177" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/47164/can-t-flash-nrf52840-dongle-with-nrf-connect-programmer/187055"]1. where to find the softdevice hex
2. what is the softdevice ID of the nRF52840 dongle[/quote]

Neither of these is specific to the Dongle - they relate to the SoftDevice itself, irrespective of what board is used.

The SoftDevice hex files are under components\softdevice in the SDK folder tree

[quote userid="76177" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/47164/can-t-flash-nrf52840-dongle-with-nrf-connect-programmer/187055"]I can't use SEGGER Embedded Studio because I can simply not get a license[/quote]

You don't actually need one - just click 'Continue' on the licence nag screen and it will all work!

You know that you are entitled to a licence, so there's no problem there - it's just Segger's administrative ineptitude!

[quote userid="76177" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/47164/can-t-flash-nrf52840-dongle-with-nrf-connect-programmer/187055"]There is a folder called hex here:
... \NRFSDK\examples\ble_peripheral\ble_app_blinky\hex\
That folder contains HEX files. Are these the "SoftDevice" files ?[/quote]

No - they are the pre-built hex files just for the project.

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

sonus89 — Tue, 14 May 2019 15:35:16 GMT

I forgot to mention one question:
The dongle programming tutorial says that the compiled
HEX files FLASH_START parameter should be 0x1000

How can I set this parameter if I use ARMGCC instead of SEGGER emStudio?

Thanks!

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

sonus89 — Tue, 14 May 2019 15:32:48 GMT

Unfortunately the dongle programming tutorial does not contain any information about
1. where to find the softdevice hex
2. what is the softdevice ID of the nRF52840 dongle

I looked up the NRFSDK but no file or folder is named SoftDevice. :-(

The dongle programming tutorial however says:

"For BLE examples the SoftDevice and MBR is already present, so the only thing you need to do is to update the Preprocessor Definitions"

I can't use SEGGER Embedded Studio because I can simply not get a license and they don't answer my e-mail thus I use armgcc instead which examples already have preprocessor definitions in the makefiles.

There is a folder called hex here:
... \NRFSDK\examples\ble_peripheral\ble_app_blinky\hex\
That folder contains HEX files. Are these the "SoftDevice" files ?

Thanks!

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

Bjørn Kvaale — Tue, 14 May 2019 11:30:29 GMT

[quote user="sonus89"]Does it already contain a softdevice? ( MBR, Bootloader...etc. is the softdevice? )[/quote]

I believe the dongle comes pre-shipped with the MBR & bootloader. The MBR is never updated & it's main purpose is to facilitate safe bootloader updates. Not sure it comes shipped with anything else. The softdevice is our version of the Bluetooth stack & is separate from both the MBR & the bootloader.

[quote user="sonus89"]If not: The only way to flash my dongle without a special hardware ( J-Link ) is with nrfutil or can I also use nRF Connect application for this purpose?[/quote]

I would highly recommend flashing examples with the nRF Connect for Desktop Programmer application.

[quote user="sonus89"] I am able to compile source code for the dongle with armgcc and SEGGER emStudio but the upload is extremely difficult. The dongle programming tutorial is also obsolete ( none of the URLs work in it )[/quote]

The dongle programming tutorial might have some links that are not working, but it is still very useful. If you are using an example that requires the softdevice, remember to drag & drop the softdevice in addition to the application when programming via the Programmer app.

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

sonus89 — Mon, 13 May 2019 10:25:06 GMT

Thank you very much for the information!
It was very useful! :-)
My dongle is brand new.
Does it already contain a softdevice? ( MBR, Bootloader...etc. is the softdevice? )
If not: The only way to flash my dongle without a special hardware ( J-Link ) is with nrfutil or can I also use nRF Connect application for this purpose?
I am able to compile source code for the dongle with armgcc and SEGGER emStudio but the upload is extremely difficult. The dongle programming tutorial is also obsolete ( none of the URLs work in it )

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

awneil — Mon, 13 May 2019 09:48:59 GMT

[quote userid="76177" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/47164/can-t-flash-nrf52840-dongle-with-nrf-connect-programmer/186531"]What do you mean by "separate J-Link"[/quote]

One of these:

https://www.segger.com/products/debug-probes/j-link/

This is a standard tool for any form of microcontroller development - giving you access to program and debug your target.

As Bjørn Kvaale says, the Nordic DKs come with this functionality built in.

I would strongly suggest that you get a DK for learning & gaining familiarity with the product & the tools - See:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/47187/sparkfun-nrf52832-breakout-board-programming-without-nrf52-dk-through-serial-beefy-3-bootloader-and-arduino-ide-for-2-4-ghz-radio-communication-to-nrf24l01/186590#186590

And:

https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/f/nordic-q-a/47156/use-nrf52-for-smartwatch-spi/186567#186567

(Other brands of debug probe are available)

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

Bjørn Kvaale — Mon, 13 May 2019 06:38:37 GMT

A Segger J-Link is a component used to be able to flash nRF51/2 devices. The DKs (development kits) have an integrated Segger J-Link, while the dongle does not have this. Most likely, you have forgotten to upload the softdevice to the Programmer application. As soon as you upload the softdevice, in addition to the HRS application, you should be able to click on the Write button to program the 52840 dongle.

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

sonus89 — Sun, 12 May 2019 21:12:01 GMT

I don't really understand. Sorry.
What do you mean by "separate J-Link" ?
What is a DK ?
Can you please give a more detailed description?
Thanks!

RE: Can't flash nRF52840 dongle with nRF Connect Programmer

awneil — Sat, 11 May 2019 21:55:31 GMT

The dongle doesn't have a J-Link on it - so you need a separate J-Link (possibly the one on a DK)