External SPI flash programming during production

[Jeff]

I would like to program an external flash using SPI during production and I was wondering if there is a tool available already or if Nordic can put this feature into nRFgo Studio. I have used other solutions where this type of tool is provided. I need to program and verify up to 2MB so it needs to be fast. I can load a temp program to take data from UART and write to SPI but UART is only 1Mb. The other way is to set SPI pins to input and hook up an external flash programmer. Can someone recommend the best way to do this flash programming? Thanks.

[Clem Taylor]

I have a 2MB SPI flash part on my design as well and the factory programs the nrf51s prior to placement on a batch programmer. I'm hoping to get the SPI flash parts programmed the same way. A batch programmer will be able write and verify the the flash far faster then the nrf51 will ever be able to, especially if your flash part supports QPI mode.

What is really going to suck is having to upgrade the data on the SPI OTA. At the fastest rate I've been able to get the OTA update to work it will take a painful 5 minutes to upgrade the entire flash.

[Hung Bui]

Hi Jeff,

I don't think we have any tool of option to program the external SPI flash from Nordic. You are pretty much on your own in this case. You already proposed 2 options that I think is feasible. I'm not sure which one is better but I'm more into the latter, where you use an external programmer to program the SPI flash. I'm sure the production programmer can handle the task.

Could you try to contact Elnec or Hilo regarding their programmer ?

[Jeff]

Thanks, I will look into an external programmer.