Tools and software versions that are required for developing BLE products with nrf51822 modules.

[SChary]

Hi,

I have purchased an nRf52DK set for developing BLE applications. I am using the Segger Embedded Studio (SES) with GCC and SDK version 16 for development.

I have two questions:
1. I have a few nrf51822 modules that I bought a while ago.  Can I develop code for these modules in the setup that i have ? If not, could you please let me know the setup - Soft device version, SDK version and programmer that I will need to use these modules.

2. How can i check if these modules have a boot loader inside ? If that exists, can i program them over serial port and how to it?

Thanks and Regards

[SChary]

Hi Karl,

One question before i try to program the module - is it necessary for the VTG to be exactly 3V or will 3.3V also work ? Because my power supply voltage to the nRF51822 board is 3.3V, and if VTG is intolerant of this, I will have to drop the voltage on the VTG line to 3V , probably use a diode in series.

Regards

Sreenivasa Chary

[Karl Ylvisaker]

Hello Sreenivasa Chary,

SChary said:

the nRF51822

My understanding is that you moved on to work with a nRF52832 DK, and that you were no longer working with the nRF51822 - is this a typo, or have you gone back to developing on the nRF51822?

SChary said:

One question before i try to program the module - is it necessary for the VTG to be exactly 3V or will 3.3V also work ?

Assuming that you meant the nRF52832, and just to make sure, what do you mean when you are saying VTG? Are you referring to the VDD of your nRF52832 DK - and if so, which power source are you using?
Or are you going to supply an external board from your nRF52832 DK, and you are referring to this connection as VTG?
If the latter, please specify the connection between the modules, and the power draw of the external board.

Best regards,
Karl

[SChary]

Hi Karl,

Apologies for the confusion i created. The project with the newer nRf52832 modules is working fine.

I had a long weekend last week so i decided to check the Core 51822 modules once again. It was in that regard I asked you about the VTG tolerance on the 52DK board.

I am powering these Core 51822 modules externally with a Hi-Link 3.3V, 3W modular power supply.  So VDD for the module is 3.3V, and that is what I have wired from the external 51822 module to the VTG pin on the 52DK for the external programming setup. (VTG, SWDIO, SDD_CLK and GND_DETECT).

But the 52DK user guide says for external module programming, VTG sense input should be 3V. No tolerance mentioned. Hence I wanted to confirm if it is safe.

Regards

Sreenivasa Chary

[Karl Ylvisaker]

Hello Sreenivasa Chary,

SChary said:

Apologies for the confusion i created. The project with the newer nRf52832 modules is working fine.

No worries, I am just asking to avoid making any wrong assumptions.
I am glad to hear that your nRF52832 project is working as intended!

SChary said:

I am powering these Core 51822 modules externally with a Hi-Link 3.3V, 3W modular power supply.  So VDD for the module is 3.3V, and that is what I have wired from the external 51822 module to the VTG pin on the 52DK for the external programming setup. (VTG, SWDIO, SDD_CLK and GND_DETECT).

But the 52DK user guide says for external module programming, VTG sense input should be 3V. No tolerance mentioned. Hence I wanted to confirm if it is safe.

I would think this should work, but you could instead power the custom board from the nRF52 DK directly during debugging / programming, to avoid this becoming an issue.
The attached picture is how you should wire the nRF52 DK to your custom boards SWD interface, in that case.


Best regards,
Karl