Daplink software released by arm-mbed for nrf52840 dk does not detect external target

[madblue]

Hi,

I need to upload compiled binaries from mbed studio to my custom board based on nrf52840 using nrf52840 dk.

I have replaced the jlink software(J-Link OB-SAM3U128-V2-NordicSemi 170724.bin) on nrf52 dk with daplink software for nrf52840 dk released by arm-mbed.

By making this change, I was able to upload from mbed studio compiled binaries to the nrf52840 dk and it worked well.

Now the problem is that, i am not able to upload the mbed compiled binaries to my custom board. I have tried to connect it with nrf52840 dk as we use it with jlink(By connecting the swd lines of dk to my custom board) but it didn't work. it is getting uploaded to dk.

The daplink  software for nrf52840dk released by arm-mbed is shown below, (i have used this one)

armmbed.github.io/.../0253_sam3u2c_mkit_dk_dongle_nrf5x_0x5000.bin

i want to know what is the best way to use mbed studio with nrf52840 boards ?

(fyi, i am able to upload to my custom board using nrfjprog and everything is fine. )

[awneil]

Note quite clear what you're doing here?

DAPLink isn't a bootloader - it's a programmer, using the SWD interface.

Also, as the linked page says, it's just a software project - so what actual hardware are you using?

Perhaps post a diagram of what you're doing; and some good, clear, in-focus photographs ?

[madblue]

Thanks for the response,

i am sorry for not providing a proper description of my issue.

what i want to do:

I need to upload compiled binaries from mbed studio to my custom board using nrf52840 dk.

Currently jlink support on mbed studio is not good but with daplink it looks very nice. so the easy way is to use daplink to upload the mbed compiled binaries.

The link i have shared has software which has the daplink software for nrf52840(released by arm-mbed). 

It is similar to jlink software that runs on the samd processor of dk (jlink software: J-Link OB-SAM3U128-V2-NordicSemi 170724.bin)

The daplink  software for nrf52840 released by armbed is shown below, (i have used this one)

armmbed.github.io/.../0253_sam3u2c_mkit_dk_dongle_nrf5x_0x5000.bin

The problem is that i am not able to upload to my custom board  through nrf dk. it is not detecting the external target as jlink does it by checking the state of vtg pin.

When i upload the binaries, it directly programs the nrf52840 dk instead of my custom board.

(fyi, i am able to upload to my custom board using nrfjprog and everything is fine)

My board : nrf52840 based board designed for an iot application.

Also, please note: i am able to upload the binaries from mbed studio to nrf52840 through daplink.

i hope this gives clarity on my issues.

[Simonr]

Hi

I think you will have to contact ARM about this issue, as we have nothing to do with the daplink software. A suggestion might be (if at all possible) to change the default output pins from the interface MCU to use the debug out pins by default. You can try shorting solder bridge SB47, as this will enable the nRF52840 DK to supply power through the Debug OUT connector (P19), but I'm not sure if this will work as I haven't tested daplink at all before. Wile SB47 is shorted, it should not be possible to program the onboard nRF52840 SoC, so keep that in mind.

Best regards,

Simon

[awneil]

I'm still not at all clear what you're actually doing - again, a diagram would help.

madblue said:

The daplink  software for nrf52840 released by armbed is shown below

So you're trying to load DAPLink onto the nRF52840 chip on an nRF52840-DK ?

But, on the nRF52840-DK, it is the interface MCU that drives the 'programming-out' connector - not the nRF52840 chip

So you would need to do some mods to the DK to disconnect the interface MCU, and re-wire the nRF52840 chip to drive the 'programming-out' connector.

Have you done that?

madblue said:

Currently jlink support on mbed studio is not good but with daplink it looks very nice

Don't Segger provide a DAPLink update for the interface chip?

Or just use a separate microcontroller as a DAPLink ?

[madblue]

Hi Simonr,

Thanks for the suggestion, appreciate it very much.

I do not want to short sb47 as i will need to use the onboard nrf52840 occasionally.

I just wanted to know weather you already have any solutions for this issue.

as i mentioned earlier, i am able to upload the mbed compiled binaries using nrfjporg

Don't you think that fixing this issue would benefit both nordic and mbed ? (Since nordic already have partnership with arm and fixing this doesn't seem to take much time )