Putting together a first reference design with nRF52832

[SteveQuinn]

Hi,

Forgive what may seem like a stupid question, but...

I would like to create a first reference PCB design using an nRF52832 for an IoT project I am working on.

I would like to programme it via a Segger Jlink EDU from the Segger Embedded studio (if this is possible).

I've done a reasonable degree of searching on the Nordic site and have not been able to find any circuit diagrams highlighting how to connect up a jtag device the nRF52832.

Could someone point me to a URL on the Nordic site where I could locate this information, perhaps an App Note?

Regards

SQ

As I say apologies in advance if this sounds like a stupid question.

[Carl Richard]

Hello!

For a reference using the nRF52832 you should take a look at the Debug In connector of the nRF52 DK layout, located here. This is also discussed in this thread.

The Segger Jlink EDU should work with SES and our products.

Best regards,
Carl Richard

[SteveQuinn]

Hi Carl,

Thank you for you reply.
I have already been looking at the nRF52DK (I've purchased two them, along with Thingy:52 and nRF52840 DK). I've also purchased 2 of the SparkFun nRF52832 Breakout boards as 'sacrificial lambs'
I was able to locate a circuit diagram on page 359 Section 18.1.2.1 of the Segger J-Link / J-Trace User Guide Doc # UM08001 Software version: 6.70 June 29, 2020 which clearly shows typical target connection for SWD.
I compared this with the schematic for the nRF52832 I've also compared with the SparkFun notes on using the nRF52832 to programme the SparkFun board which all seem to correlate (a kind of rosetta stone).

I've concluded for SWD there are only 4 control lines to consider (less 0v).

• SWDIO <->   Pin 26
• SWDCLK >   Pin 25
• nRESET <-> Pin 24
• SWO <->      Pin 18

I think my lack of knowledge shows in so far as I've only used the Microchip tool chain which is completely owned/controlled by Microchip therefore they publish all the salient information in one place.
However, my observation is the Nordic product integrates an ARM core consequently if I understand the dynamic, it is incumbent upon me to read the Nordic literature for the nRF52xxx, Segger for the IDE and J-Tag (of choice) and ARM for the processor and programming/debug interface.

Thanks for confirming that the J-Link EDU will work (I have two of these also. Spotting any patterns?).

I have one further question. If I were to use the J-Tag EDU in SWD mode (though not sure quite how to accomplish this yet. I hope 'SWD mode' is the correct vernacular) connecting Pin 18, SWO, can I still debug with break points, watches, variable inspection out of the box with the SES examples?

Best Regards

Steve

[Carl Richard]

Hi again, Steve!

Good to hear that things correlate! 

You are correct that information is more dispersed when it comes to our products, but we try to make as much (relevant) information as possible through our documentation. In most cases a customer should not need to access either Segger or ARM docs. We will at least point you to where you should look, but it's of course challenging to maintain. 

Debugging using SWD can be used in combination with SWO, so the answer is yes and it should work out of the box. SWO does in addition enable support for RTT, which you can read about in this blog.

Best regards,
Carl Richard

[SteveQuinn]

Hi Carl,

Thank you for your kind help.

Best Regards

Steve