Programming nRF52840 Dongle in nRF Connect Programmer

[Radio]

Hi All,

I was trying to program a simple LED peripheral hex file to the nRF52840 dongle. 

Initially I was  modifying an existing sample program from one of the examples given in the SDK.

The example folder contains several supporting boards such as "pca10056", "pca10059", "pca10040" etc...

I first used the Segger embedded studio project given in "pca10056" folder and built the "hex" file. Which is for the nRF52840 DK.

However, when I start to flashing it using nRF Connect Programmer, it prompts me to select a "Softdevice" version. No matter what I choose it fails.

Then I built the source by using Segger project file in "pca10059 "- which is for the Dongle. Now I was able to flash the "hex" file using nRF Connect programmer.

My question is, is there any hardware specific configurations I need to setup when we program a new board?

If I am going to program my own board, what sort of configurations I should change to flash it to the chip?

Thanks 

[Kenneth]

For development I recommend an nRF52840-DK (pca10056), since it contain debugger/programmer on the board. If you want to develop using nRF52840 usb dongle (pca10059), then check out:
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/nordic/short-range-guides/b/getting-started/posts/nrf52840-dongle-programming-tutorial

[Radio]

Hi Kenneth,

After development, If I am going to flash it to my own design board, what steps should do in terms of software?

Thanks!

[Kenneth]

You need to expose the SWD interface (2 pins), and VDD and GND. You can program your own module from the nRF52840-DK during development, but for production programming you should look at a proper production programmer from for instance SEGGER. Also check out:

https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/topic/ug_getting_started/UG/gs/prod_test_prog.html 

[Radio]

Hi Kenneth,

Many thanks for the reply. I mean not hardware. If I am going to use Segger Embedded Studio and the nRF52840DK, what sort of settings/configurations I should do in software development?

Should I do any configurations on Bootloader+Application+Softdevice? (e.g. Bootloader starting address etc..)

Basically, I want to know if I have my own hardware board, fresh from the factory, what are the steps I need to perform in software configurations?

Thanks!

[Kenneth]

During development I assume you have compiled a project with one or several hex files. Then power your board, connect the SWD interface, run one or several times:

nrfjprog --program your_hex_file_1 --sectorerase

Best regards,
Kenneth

[Radio]

Ok, so when I build using Segger Embedded Studio, it combines Bootloader + Application + Softdevice to create the "hex" file?

Thanks!

[Radio]

Hi Kenneth,

I am still not clear about the reason why I could not flash the hex using the NRF Connect Programmer.

Basically in the examples/peripheral/blinky prokect folder, there are few folders.

One is the DK (pca10056) and the other is the Dongle (pca10059). Both shares the same main.c file. However, for pca10059 the Segger project folder is in "mbr" and for pca10056, Segger project is in "blank" folder.

I can flash the pca10059_mbr.hex using NRF Connect Programmer software. However, I cannot flash blink_pca10056.hex which was built by compiling the project in pca10056.

If both DK and Dongle are using the same nrf52840 chip, why I cannot download the blink_pca10056.hex using the NRF Connect Programmer?

Thank you!!

[Kenneth]

The USB dongle (pca10059) does not have a SEGGER j-link programmer on board (with SWD interface) like the DK (pca10059) does. This means there are limitations to programming, please see my previous answer: 

If you want to develop using nRF52840 usb dongle (pca10059), then check out:
https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/nordic/short-range-guides/b/getting-started/posts/nrf52840-dongle-programming-tutorial

[Radio]

Thanks for the information..