Firmware Update for nRF9160 (Merged hex)

[TigerD]

Hi,

I have a question for production firmware update using JTAG/SWD for nRF9160 modem:

The Segger generates merged/hex. So the merged hex includes the modem code updated through nRFConnect programmer. Is this correct?

Thank you,

David Zhou

[Sigurd]

Hi,

No, the merged.hex includes the application + spm (+ mcuboot if enabled).

[TigerD]

Hi Sigurd,

So Modem (.zip file) firmware code can only be loaded through nrfConnect/Programmer?

Does the Modem code share the same flash with modem application code (generated with Segger compiler as merged hex)?

Thank you,

David

[Sigurd]

TigerD said:

So Modem (.zip file) firmware code can only be loaded through nrfConnect/Programmer?

Yes, and with pynrfjprog. And Modem FOTA(Firmware Over-The-Air)(e.g. over HTTP) when that is released soon.

TigerD said:

Does the Modem code share the same flash with modem application code (generated with Segger compiler as merged hex)?

No. The modem uses it's own dedicated flash for storing the modem firmware. See the figure at this link.

[TigerD]

Hi Sigurd,

Thank you for prompt reply.

What I concerns is how to update firmware using JTAG/SWD. On the Dev board, there is USB J-Link, which will be able to recognize which flash area (modem or modem-app) to download magically. If we use SWD to update, it will only access modem-app area?

Thank you,

David

[Sigurd]

Using normal nrfjprog --program <hexfile> -f NRF91, will program the application flash.

For flashing the modem firmware, use nRF Programmer app. Or use a python pynrfjprog script, e.g. as shown in this post.

[TigerD]

Thank you, Sigurd.

David